Is a 30-minute layover too short?

Almost always, yes. A 30-minute layover is below the minimum connection time at every major U.S. airport. Even the most efficient airports (SAN, PHX) have 40-45 minute minimums, and most hubs require 50-75 minutes.

The math doesn't work: your first flight has to arrive on time, you have to deplane (5-10 minutes on a full plane), walk to your next gate (5-20 minutes depending on the airport), and boarding closes 10-15 minutes before departure. That leaves zero margin for any delay, any distance between gates, or any slow deplaning.

Our miss rate data shows that 30-minute layovers across all airports have a 25-45% miss rate — meaning a quarter to nearly half of travelers with this connection will miss their flight. At delay-prone airports like ORD or EWR, miss rates exceed 50%.

If you've already booked a 30-minute connection: check whether both flights are on the same ticket. If they are, the airline is obligated to rebook you at no charge if you miss the connection. If they're separate tickets (common with budget airlines or OTAs that piece together itineraries), you're on your own — the second airline will consider you a no-show.

If you haven't booked yet: don't. Even if the airline sells it, a 30-minute connection is a gamble the data says you'll lose too often.