Maximum Connecting Time
 

I am trying to build a complex itinerary. Does anyone know what the maximum time is for a "connection" on an AS ticket, i.e. before it the second leg becomes a separate "flight"?

The cutoff for going from a layover to a stopover is usually 24 hours.

Some of it seems to be route / connection specific.

A lot of AS' fares are constructed. Stopovers may be possible.

”layover” = “connection“

24 hrs applies for international connections

domestic is generally 4 hrs (there are some exceptions that allow 6 hrs)

And I've seen last flight in / first flight out exceptions (so essentially overnight).

likewise, but the last time I remember taking advantage of that “hack” was ~1990 (i.e., long before the current connotation of “hack” was part of the lexicon :p)

As noted, domestically max connection is 4 hours unless otherwise specified in Stopover section of fare rules. AS fares to/from Alaska actually allow up to 24 hours before stopover occurs. If connection is over stopover limit, you can still book it on one ticket (using multi-city), but it will just price each segment on a separate fare unless the fare allows for stopovers. AS US48 fares do not allow stopovers, but US48 to Alaska/Hawaii do (there is a fee for Hawaii stopovers). This is also specified in stopover section of fare rules. From US48-Hawaii fare rules below.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bda76e1f8b.png

Note that just because a connection time between flights is less than 4 hours doesn't necessarily mean you purchase them on a single fare. There still have to be fare filings that allow the particular routing in their routing rules and married segment inventory availability to purchase on one fare. Otherwise, you'll just need to purchase segments as separate fares on one ticket using multi-city search.