Airport rankings · 2026
U.S. Airports with the Shortest Connections
The layover we recommend for a simple domestic connection at each U.S. hub, plus what a terminal change adds. These are our step-by-step estimates, not airlines' official minimums.
Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction
Quick answer
MDW, DAL, HOU, MSY and OAK need the least time: we recommend 45 min for a same-terminal domestic connection. The biggest hubs need more, especially with a terminal change.
- #1 MDW
- 45 min · One terminal
- #1 DAL
- 45 min · One terminal
- #1 HOU
- 45 min · One terminal
- #1 MSY
- 45 min · One terminal
The full ranking: 39 airports
- 1MDW Airport (MDW)One terminal45 min
- 1DAL Airport (DAL)One terminal45 min
- 1HOU Airport (HOU)One terminal45 min
- 1New Orleans Airport (MSY)One terminal45 min
- 1Oakland Airport (OAK)55 min if you change terminals45 min
- 6Austin Airport (AUS)One terminal50 min
- 6Kansas City Airport (MCI)One terminal50 min
- 6Nashville Airport (BNA)One terminal50 min
- 6Portland Airport (PDX) (PDX)One terminal50 min
- 6BWI Airport (BWI)1 h if you change terminals50 min
- 6IAH Airport (IAH)1 h if you change terminals50 min
- 6SLC Airport (SLC)1 h if you change terminals50 min
- 6SEA Airport (SEA)1 h if you change terminals50 min
- 6BOS Airport (BOS)1 h 5 min if you change terminals50 min
- 6Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL)1 h 5 min if you change terminals50 min
- 6Honolulu Airport (HNL)1 h 5 min if you change terminals50 min
- 6LAS Airport (LAS)1 h 5 min if you change terminals50 min
- 6MCO Airport (MCO)1 h 5 min if you change terminals50 min
- 6PHL Airport (PHL)1 h 5 min if you change terminals50 min
- 6San Juan Airport (SJU)1 h 5 min if you change terminals50 min
- 6IAD Airport (IAD)1 h 5 min if you change terminals50 min
- 6DCA Airport (DCA)1 h 5 min if you change terminals50 min
- 6MIA Airport (MIA)1 h 10 min if you change terminals50 min
- 6EWR Airport (EWR)1 h 10 min if you change terminals50 min
- 6SFO Airport (SFO)1 h 10 min if you change terminals50 min
- 6Tampa Airport (TPA)1 h 30 min if you change terminals (with another TSA check)50 min
- 6DTW Airport (DTW)1 h 35 min if you change terminals (with another TSA check)50 min
- 6MSP Airport (MSP)1 h 35 min if you change terminals (with another TSA check)50 min
- 6PHX Airport (PHX)1 h 35 min if you change terminals (with another TSA check)50 min
- 6San Diego Airport (SAN)1 h 35 min if you change terminals (with another TSA check)50 min
- 6St. Louis Airport (STL)1 h 35 min if you change terminals (with another TSA check)50 min
- 6LGA Airport (LGA)1 h 40 min if you change terminals (with another TSA check)50 min
- 33CLT Airport (CLT)One terminal55 min
- 33ATL Airport (ATL)1 h 5 min if you change terminals55 min
- 33DFW Airport (DFW)1 h 5 min if you change terminals55 min
- 33DEN Airport (DEN)1 h 5 min if you change terminals55 min
- 33ORD Airport (ORD)1 h 10 min if you change terminals55 min
- 33LAX Airport (LAX)1 h 20 min if you change terminals55 min
- 33JFK Airport (JFK)1 h 45 min if you change terminals (with another TSA check)55 min
How we rank: Our recommended minimum for a same-terminal domestic connection: walking to the gate for the airport's size, reaching the gate before boarding closes and a buffer for small delays. Ties are broken by the time a terminal change needs. Read our full methodology.
FAQ
Our recommended minimum for a same-terminal domestic connection: walking to the gate for the airport's size, reaching the gate before boarding closes and a buffer for small delays. Ties are broken by the time a terminal change needs.
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