Jul 12, 2022, 9:35 am
Last edit by: Fabo.sk
Minimum Connection Times
Standard MCT is 40 minutes for Schengen and 50 minutes for Non-Schengen flights.
Individual airlines/destinations might have raised MCTs though, for example connections from Delta to Schengen KLM raise MCT of 1 hour.
Under no circumstances should self-connecting passengers use these times as a guide for their own travel.
Amsterdam terminals/lounges
Amsterdam Schiphol airport operates on a single terminal concept.
Airside, there are 4 "lounges", Lounge 1 in the Schengen area, lounges 2-3 in Non-Schengen, lounge 4 is Schengen. These Lounges are not airline lounges, they refer to common terminal areas outside the piers. Do not confuse them with VIP lounges, those are signposted as "airline lounges".
Lounge 1 is between piers C and D, lounge 2 between D and E, lounge 3 by pier F, and lastly lounge 4 is connected to Schengen gates M (low-cost pier). Additionally, area between piers E and F is called Holland Boulevard. Keep this in mind as you mind find location references based on these.
All lounges are interconnected and you can pass between them without leaving secure area (the only exception being Schengen low-cost pier, more in Piers section)
Piers and gate numbering
There are 7 piers. Going counterclockwise from south:
Transfer security
Transfer security is not needed when connecting from Schengen to either Schengen or non-Schengen destinations (except in case of self connect with baggage pickup, or self-connect to Schengen low-cost pier).
In case of connecting from non-Schengen to either Schengen or non-Schengen, transfer security is required, unless coming from following secure arrival countries:
Non-Schengen EU (Romania, Ireland etc.), United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Singapore (important: does not apply to flights via Denpasar or Jakarta, only direct non-stop flights!)
All other must pass through transfer security
Passport control
There is central transfer passport control location just off the level of pier D.
e-Gates are available, but not always turned on.
Holders of select non-EU biometric passports can also use these e-Gates, in particular when leaving Schengen.
Airline/VIP lounges
Following lounges are available in AMS:
Schengen:
Privium Club Lounge (landside) - between Departures 1 and 2 on check-in level. To the left of entrance of Departures 1 security. Only accessible to Privium holders departing Amsterdam.
Privium Express Lounge (airside) - one level above departures, next to entrance to D pier (by former entrance to terrace).Only open until 1pm. Now open until 9pm. Only accessible to Privium holders (departing or arriving).
KLM Crown Lounge 25 - one level above departures, on level of D pier (above passport control) away from apron. Caters to SkyTeam and select partners.
Aspire A26 Lounge - two levels above departures (level of Panorama terrace), accessible via area by D pier above passport control. Accessible with Priority Pass and other buy-in providers.
StarAlliance Lounge (A27) - two levels above departures (level of Panorama terrace) - next to A26, accessible via area by D pier above passport control. Caters to StarAlliance. If closed, eligible pax can use A26 immediately next door instead
Non-Schengen:
Privium Club Lounge West (airside) - main departure level, Holland Boulevard (between E and F), side away from apron. Behind restaurant Dutch Kitchen. Only accessible to Privium holders and passengers of Singapore airlines.
KLM Crown Lounge 52 - main departure level, Holland Boulevard, closer to pier F. Escalators or elevators will take you to reception one level up. Caters to SkyTeam and select partners.
Aspire A41 Lounge - two levels above Lounge 2 (close to D pier). Access next to Frames restaurant. Accessible with Priority Pass and other buy-in providers.
British Airways Lounge - two levels above Lounge 2 (close to D pier). Access next to Frames restaurant. Permanently closed; pax can use A41 instead.
Baggage
If you are connecting through Schiphol on one Skyteam itinerary, your bags will be checked through to your final destination, regardless of how long the layover is.
If you are connecting through Schiphol on separate itineraries (a.k.a "self-connecting") and the two airlines do not have an interline agreement, then you will need to recheck your bags. You will need to pick up your bags, go landside, check them again, and re-enter through security.
Standard MCT is 40 minutes for Schengen and 50 minutes for Non-Schengen flights.
Individual airlines/destinations might have raised MCTs though, for example connections from Delta to Schengen KLM raise MCT of 1 hour.
Under no circumstances should self-connecting passengers use these times as a guide for their own travel.
Amsterdam terminals/lounges
Amsterdam Schiphol airport operates on a single terminal concept.
Airside, there are 4 "lounges", Lounge 1 in the Schengen area, lounges 2-3 in Non-Schengen, lounge 4 is Schengen. These Lounges are not airline lounges, they refer to common terminal areas outside the piers. Do not confuse them with VIP lounges, those are signposted as "airline lounges".
Lounge 1 is between piers C and D, lounge 2 between D and E, lounge 3 by pier F, and lastly lounge 4 is connected to Schengen gates M (low-cost pier). Additionally, area between piers E and F is called Holland Boulevard. Keep this in mind as you mind find location references based on these.
All lounges are interconnected and you can pass between them without leaving secure area (the only exception being Schengen low-cost pier, more in Piers section)
Piers and gate numbering
There are 7 piers. Going counterclockwise from south:
- B pier, Schengen: Used by some KLM Cityhopper flights (bus gates as well as non-jetway positions reachable from the terminal by stairs), Lufthansa Group airlines, LOT and some lowcost airlines.
- C pier, Schengen:
- D pier, combined: This pier is capable of handling both Schengen and Non-Schengen flights. Non-Schengen gates are on the main level (plus bus gates on ground level), Schengen gates on top.
- E pier, non-Schengen:
- F pier, non-Schengen:
- G pier, non-Schengen:
- H/M pier: H/M pier is a low-cost pier used mainly by easyJet. The setup here is a bit unusual: Pier is separated in half lenghtwise. The part closer to the aprons is non-Schengen and is connected to the non-Schengen areas of the airport at the junction of pier G. The part further from the apron is Schengen part (M gates) and is not connected to other parts of the airport, with own security control and a small shopping/F&B area. The gates are on the ground level, with the stairs to them in the middle between Schengen and non-Schengen walkways, accessible from either side as needed. Aircraft are reached by walking from the gate to the airplane directly in front.
Transfer security
Transfer security is not needed when connecting from Schengen to either Schengen or non-Schengen destinations (except in case of self connect with baggage pickup, or self-connect to Schengen low-cost pier).
In case of connecting from non-Schengen to either Schengen or non-Schengen, transfer security is required, unless coming from following secure arrival countries:
Non-Schengen EU (Romania, Ireland etc.), United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Singapore (important: does not apply to flights via Denpasar or Jakarta, only direct non-stop flights!)
All other must pass through transfer security
Passport control
There is central transfer passport control location just off the level of pier D.
e-Gates are available, but not always turned on.
Holders of select non-EU biometric passports can also use these e-Gates, in particular when leaving Schengen.
Airline/VIP lounges
Following lounges are available in AMS:
Schengen:
Privium Club Lounge (landside) - between Departures 1 and 2 on check-in level. To the left of entrance of Departures 1 security. Only accessible to Privium holders departing Amsterdam.
Privium Express Lounge (airside) - one level above departures, next to entrance to D pier (by former entrance to terrace).
KLM Crown Lounge 25 - one level above departures, on level of D pier (above passport control) away from apron. Caters to SkyTeam and select partners.
Aspire A26 Lounge - two levels above departures (level of Panorama terrace), accessible via area by D pier above passport control. Accessible with Priority Pass and other buy-in providers.
StarAlliance Lounge (A27) - two levels above departures (level of Panorama terrace) - next to A26, accessible via area by D pier above passport control. Caters to StarAlliance. If closed, eligible pax can use A26 immediately next door instead
Non-Schengen:
Privium Club Lounge West (airside) - main departure level, Holland Boulevard (between E and F), side away from apron. Behind restaurant Dutch Kitchen. Only accessible to Privium holders and passengers of Singapore airlines.
KLM Crown Lounge 52 - main departure level, Holland Boulevard, closer to pier F. Escalators or elevators will take you to reception one level up. Caters to SkyTeam and select partners.
Aspire A41 Lounge - two levels above Lounge 2 (close to D pier). Access next to Frames restaurant. Accessible with Priority Pass and other buy-in providers.
Baggage
If you are connecting through Schiphol on one Skyteam itinerary, your bags will be checked through to your final destination, regardless of how long the layover is.
If you are connecting through Schiphol on separate itineraries (a.k.a "self-connecting") and the two airlines do not have an interline agreement, then you will need to recheck your bags. You will need to pick up your bags, go landside, check them again, and re-enter through security.
Connecting in Amsterdam [AMS] - Consolidated thread of transfer Q&A
Dec 5, 2022, 11:55 pm
#91
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Behind the curtain
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor
Posts: 398
I appreciate that CPT is not a secure origin. But disembarking into a transit corridor on a floor above??? Only the D-pier has gates with 2 floors, E, F and G piers do not. So does this mean that all non-secure origin flights arrive at the D-pier? I am quite confused about this and wish someone would post a photo of this transit security control station. Dear Fabo sk, it is not that i don't believe you, i just can't picture such a transit security control post you are talking about, i have never seen it.
edit: Here you go:
Last edited by dkeng; Dec 6, 2022 at 2:44 am
Dec 6, 2022, 5:02 am
#92
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: In between BRU, AMS, DUS and LUX...
Programs: AF/KL Plat, BA Gold, A3 Gold, IHG Diamond, MR Gold, HH Diamond, ALL Platinum
Posts: 1,044
Schengen to Schengen connecting times have changed?
Have any new MCTs be announced for Schengen to Schengen flights in AMS ? (KL to KL). Is it still 40 min?
I booked for my colleague a flight from HEL to NAP back in October for a trip next weekend. Initial routing was :
HEL - AMS (KL) - 55 min in AMS - FCO (KL) - 2h10min connection - NAP (AZ metal, KL marketed). All booked using the KLM website.
departure 07:00 from HEL, 14:55 arrival in NAP.
A Few weeks later (but more than 14 days out), KL informed him that 55 min connection in AMS is not enough (!?!?!?) And that he got rebooked as following :
HEL - AMS (same KL flight) - 3h05min in AMS - LIN (KL) - 4h15min in LIN - NAP (AZ metal, KL marketed). Same departure from HEL at 07:00, arrival in NAP at 19:05.
most bizarre thing is that his original HEL-AMS-FCO is still on sale on the KL website, the FCO-NAP is not appearing anymore as it seems AZ stopped the code sharing with KLM.
Today at the lounge in CDG, I tried to have his ticket fixed (no one at KLM seem to want to do the job on that one) and while the agent did her best with the sales team, they could not rebook him on the original routing, claiming that "a new MCT was in place in AMS starting dec 10" (just the day of his flight). However the flight is still on sale on the KLM website. If i change him with FCO as final destination, that would cost almost 300€ extra due to little availability only in high classes (on a ticket already costing 500€).
I am not sure what to do next. We got 5 tickets changed by KLM with stupid routings in just one week and when i contacted the customer service, they replied that since those changes were communicated 14 days out, they don't owe us anything (i am well aware of Eu261/2004). I am also aware that they would be supposed to rebook him on a decent flight but given the state of the customer care nowadays at KLM i am not sure what to do next. The Dutch PSL has waiting times greater than 45min everytime I try to call them and they hung up half of the times. The AF PSL is much better but they will not touch any 074 ticket... Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance !
I booked for my colleague a flight from HEL to NAP back in October for a trip next weekend. Initial routing was :
HEL - AMS (KL) - 55 min in AMS - FCO (KL) - 2h10min connection - NAP (AZ metal, KL marketed). All booked using the KLM website.
departure 07:00 from HEL, 14:55 arrival in NAP.
A Few weeks later (but more than 14 days out), KL informed him that 55 min connection in AMS is not enough (!?!?!?) And that he got rebooked as following :
HEL - AMS (same KL flight) - 3h05min in AMS - LIN (KL) - 4h15min in LIN - NAP (AZ metal, KL marketed). Same departure from HEL at 07:00, arrival in NAP at 19:05.
most bizarre thing is that his original HEL-AMS-FCO is still on sale on the KL website, the FCO-NAP is not appearing anymore as it seems AZ stopped the code sharing with KLM.
Today at the lounge in CDG, I tried to have his ticket fixed (no one at KLM seem to want to do the job on that one) and while the agent did her best with the sales team, they could not rebook him on the original routing, claiming that "a new MCT was in place in AMS starting dec 10" (just the day of his flight). However the flight is still on sale on the KLM website. If i change him with FCO as final destination, that would cost almost 300€ extra due to little availability only in high classes (on a ticket already costing 500€).
I am not sure what to do next. We got 5 tickets changed by KLM with stupid routings in just one week and when i contacted the customer service, they replied that since those changes were communicated 14 days out, they don't owe us anything (i am well aware of Eu261/2004). I am also aware that they would be supposed to rebook him on a decent flight but given the state of the customer care nowadays at KLM i am not sure what to do next. The Dutch PSL has waiting times greater than 45min everytime I try to call them and they hung up half of the times. The AF PSL is much better but they will not touch any 074 ticket... Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance !
Dec 7, 2022, 2:58 pm
#93
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Amsterdam
Programs: Flying Blue silver
Posts: 168
Many thanks both dkeng and Fabo.sk
Dec 22, 2022, 1:17 pm
#94
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: Qantas Plat
Posts: 133
Flying LHR - AMS - KL next May, original transit time of over two hours now reduced to 1 hour 10 minutes from email received just now.
Still likely to make it? KLM are the ones changing the flight.
Also the Dreamliner business class has a red label on seat 5a on seat gurus but the explanatory text doesn't stick. Curious as to the issue?
Still likely to make it? KLM are the ones changing the flight.
Also the Dreamliner business class has a red label on seat 5a on seat gurus but the explanatory text doesn't stick. Curious as to the issue?
Dec 22, 2022, 1:19 pm
#95
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: VLC
Programs: FB Plat (Y3), All Accor Gold (Y2)
Posts: 641
Flying LHR - AMS - KL next May, original transit time of over two hours now reduced to 1 hour 10 minutes from email received just now.
Still likely to make it? KLM are the ones changing the flight.
Also the Dreamliner business class has a red label on seat 5a on seat gurus but the explanatory text doesn't stick. Curious as to the issue?
Still likely to make it? KLM are the ones changing the flight.
Also the Dreamliner business class has a red label on seat 5a on seat gurus but the explanatory text doesn't stick. Curious as to the issue?
as to seatguru, they're inaccurate as f, but I believe 5A has no window on the 787-10, and 6a on the 787-9. Better check Aerolopa, as they have good window alignment with the seats.
Last edited by b12e; Dec 22, 2022 at 1:25 pm
Dec 22, 2022, 1:21 pm
#96
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: Qantas Plat
Posts: 133
I assume you're flying to a non-Schengen destination, coming from the UK (also non-Schengen) it's just a walk from gate to gate, so plenty of time.
as to seatguru, they're inaccurate as f, but I believe 5A has no window. Better check Aerolopa, as they have good window alignment with the seats.
as to seatguru, they're inaccurate as f, but I believe 5A has no window. Better check Aerolopa, as they have good window alignment with the seats.
Jan 11, 2023, 9:43 am
#97
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FRA/SXB
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 1,989
Not technically a correspondance, but thoughts on a 2h gap in the morning on separate tickets coming Non-Schengen (on CI) > Schengen (on KL) ? This will involve 1 checked bag for a trip in April (mid-week), with SP.
Jan 11, 2023, 9:53 am
#98
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: VLC
Programs: FB Plat (Y3), All Accor Gold (Y2)
Posts: 641
passport control, luggage collection, bag drop, security in less than 2 hours.
probably doable, but I wouldn't have booked it 😄
Jan 11, 2023, 10:15 am
#99
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FRA/SXB
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 1,989
Jan 12, 2023, 12:40 am
#100
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Behind the curtain
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor
Posts: 398
This is up to your personal risk tolerance. No way to really accurately predict the risk, though. Personally I give myself a 3hr minimum for this kind of separate ticket situation, so would book the later flight.
Jan 12, 2023, 1:10 am
#101
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: VLC
Programs: FB Plat (Y3), All Accor Gold (Y2)
Posts: 641
worst case scenario you spend some time in one of the landside bars at Schiphol Plaza, but at least you won't have to stress about making a connection.
Jan 12, 2023, 2:23 am
#102
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,017
I would definitely not risk 2 hours for this. It could easily take an hour to get the bags if anything goes even slightly wrong, and then you are very close to bag drop cutoff.
I'd much rather spend 2 extra hours napping in the lounge but with peace of mind that even an hour or two of delay on my first flight would have not screwed me.
I'd much rather spend 2 extra hours napping in the lounge but with peace of mind that even an hour or two of delay on my first flight would have not screwed me.
Jan 12, 2023, 2:21 pm
#104
Join Date: Jan 2023
Posts: 2
I will be coming in PDX-AMS-INV via Delta inbound and Delta (operated by KLM) outbound. This is on the same ticket. I arrive at 11am and depart at 12:15. I have read conflicting info about passport control requirements and whether or not I would need to go through it. Will my transfer be as easy as deboarding the PDX flight and merely walking over to the flight to INV, without doing any passport stuff at all?
Jan 12, 2023, 3:07 pm
#105
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Programs: KL Gold, SQ KF Gold, CX Green
Posts: 9,396
I will be coming in PDX-AMS-INV via Delta inbound and Delta (operated by KLM) outbound. This is on the same ticket. I arrive at 11am and depart at 12:15. I have read conflicting info about passport control requirements and whether or not I would need to go through it. Will my transfer be as easy as deboarding the PDX flight and merely walking over to the flight to INV, without doing any passport stuff at all?