A great nonstop airport experience doesn’t necessarily mean a great connecting experience. When you’re changing planes, distance between gates, terminal transfers, security checkpoints and signage can matter more than restaurants or lounges.
A Travel Bulletin analysis cited in the source evaluated the connection experience at the 50 largest U.S. airports, including walking distances and total travel time between gates.
Here are five airports travelers should think about when booking a tight connection.
1. Denver International Airport
Denver ranked poorly for both walkability and connections in the analysis, scoring 10.9 and 14.1 out of 50. The longest gate-to-gate journey was estimated at 34 minutes, including the underground train.
2. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
DFW has improved its connections over the years, but its enormous size can still mean significant distances between gates. AirHelp also identified Dallas as having one of the higher missed-connection scores worldwide in its summer 2026 disruption report.
3. Miami International Airport
Miami can be particularly challenging when time is tight. The airport’s size and layout can make navigating between areas more complicated, especially when passengers are unfamiliar with the terminal.
4. London Heathrow
International connections can add another layer of complexity through security screening, terminal changes and passport controls. Travelers cited in the source recommend allowing substantial extra time when changing terminals.
5. Frankfurt Airport
Frankfurt presents another challenge for international connections, with bus gates and long transfers potentially adding significant time. Travelers connecting there should pay close attention to the required route and available connection time.
How to make a difficult connection easier
Before booking, check whether terminals are connected airside or require another security screening. Look at the airport map, find your arrival and departure gates when possible, and avoid extremely short layovers at unfamiliar hubs.
If an itinerary requires a difficult connection, choosing a longer layover—or even an overnight stop—can provide considerably more breathing room.
The smarter take: When booking a connecting flight, don’t judge an airport by its reputation alone. Check how long it actually takes to get from one gate to the next.