A cheap fare with a tight connection can be fine until weather, a long taxi, or a terminal change turns it into a sprint. The best connection is not always the shortest one. It is the one that protects the rest of the trip.

Look beyond the minutes

Consider the airport, terminal change, immigration, checked bags, and the number of later flights to your destination. A 55-minute connection at a familiar hub may be easier than 90 minutes at an airport with buses and border control.

Protect important arrivals

If the trip includes a cruise, wedding, meeting, or prepaid tour, arrive earlier or choose a connection with a strong backup schedule. Saving $80 is not heroic if it blows up a $2,000 trip.

Good default

For domestic connections, aim for at least 75 minutes when changing terminals. For international arrivals, give yourself more breathing room.

Know if you are actually protected

A single ticket with a connection is the airline's problem if you misconnect -- they rebook you. Two separate tickets stitched together to save money means a missed connection is entirely your problem, with no rebooking obligation from either airline. Confirm which situation you are actually in before trusting a tight layover.