Can I ask a bit more about the Minimum Connection Time - they seem really long.. have special MCTs been brought in because of COVID? For example, I would have thought something like 60 mins would be more the norm for SIN or HND.
Re your question on MCTs ,I have delved a little more deeply as I suspect that many of us have not flown substantially for so long that what used to be common knowledge is now recessed in our deep memories. So apologies in advance for telling readers what they may already know.
Minimum connection time ( MCT) or legal connection time are the same . Airlines have calculated the minimum amount of time it will take for you to physically make it to the next gate and to get your checked bags to your connecting aircraft. Weirdly in the past , some airports were so efficient with baggage that they are loaded onto your connecting aircraft before you get to the departure gate ( Frankfurt FRA is a good example)
MCTs used to be reflect the requirements of
each airline
sometimes individual flights of the same airline
a combination of airlines in the case of an interline connection and of course,
the airport
MCTs are partly dependent on whether there was a domestic – international connection or some combination of those as well as things like
- airport layout ( eg int to domestic at SYD needs an interterminal bus transfer) and
- likelihood of using a bus gate especially in Europe– eg connection time increased between a long haul carrier arrival and a departure on a local carrier travelling a short distance .
- Need in some cases of passing thru security
MCTs need to get final approval from IATA.
Things have changed and I think part of the issue also is that incoming international carriers are loath to take a chance with their incoming passengers misconnecting during the current pandemic uncertainty. For example, in London , BA has changed , sometimes on several occasions, whether their a/c use Heathrow or Gatwick – MCTs for certain long distance flights have been expanded to reflect future uncertainty eg in situations where the domestic to international flights departed and now a land transit is needed to get between LHR and LGM or vv ( up to 3 hours minimum)
In some cases, there are different timings in connections between the same airline connecting vs different carriers being involved– this appears to happen at Singapore eg a pax on a Qantas a/c connecting at SIN to use Qatar to continue onto DOH must expect a MCT of over 5 hours.
The transit process is also now much more complicated even if it all takes place airside – so MCTs have been lengthened because of that .
Some airports close late at night thru early morning so if you arrive on the last flight prior to closure , you will have to wait til the next day.
MCTs will hopefully go back to the old ways in 2022 because long connections at airports are not particularly popular particularly if you don’t have access to a premium lounge.
I hope that helps.
