Max flight layover length still considered same flight?
 

Apologies if this isn't the correct place to ask this....
Does anyone know how long a flight layover can be while still being considered the same flight? On some "you can't get there from here" flights I've seen layovers of 19-27 hours... I'm wondering how long of a layover you could conceivably have (with any airline, to any destination) without having to buy a separate flight? I assume that one ticket (A - layover B - C) would be less expensive than two separate tickets (A - B, B - C) (?). Thanks in advance!

I think it's same segment?

For travel wholly within the U.S., it's 4 hrs unless the next available flight is more than 4 hours (such as forced overnight layover). If there's an international flight, it's 24 hrs (perhaps unless the first available next.flight is > 24 hrs.

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

If by "layover" you mean connection (rather than stopover), most carriers allow a maximum of 24 hours to connect on international itineraries. On domestic itineraries, the rules can vary, but usually at least four hours is allowed per connection.

You do not necessarily have to have more than one ticket, even if you have a stopover of days or weeks. It's just that the fare rules will determine how much the entire ticket costs.

Let me rephrase so that everyone understands:

"How long can a connection at an intermediate point be to avoid a fare break?"

The answer is: 4 hours domestically, 24 hours or next flight - whichever is earlier - internationally (with some exceptions)

Some fares allow a free or low-cost stopover (as written in the fare rules, so you can get away with a longer "connection" (which is in fact a stopover).

Thank you all. Yes, I guess technically I'm trying to stretch a layover into a stopover without paying for the privilege. Now at least I know what to ask for.