Study reveals the U.S. airports with the longest layovers

Layovers can significantly impact travel time, with cross-country layovers averaging around 3.5 hours, meaning time spent on the ground can rival or exceed short domestic travel.1

To help travelers plan and minimize the risk of disruption, Booking.com for Business has analyzed major U.S. airports to reveal which operate the longest layovers.

U.S airports with the longest layover times:

1. Kahului Airport

Kahului Airport in Maui tops the list with the longest average layover time in the country, at 5 hours 8 minutes – higher than the national average of around 3.5 hours. The Kahului Airport connects business travelers when flying between the U.S. mainland and Maui for meetings or conferences. This long layover time is largely due to the relatively limited daily service, which typically consists of 93 flights.2

Long layovers that add to the overall travel time can affect business travelers in particular, who are often on short, busy trips. It’s key that corporate flyers prioritize rest during longer layovers to minimise any impact on wellbeing and productivity. In fact, a survey of 1,500 corporate travelers found that almost a third (28%) have canceled meetings due to fatigue.3

2. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, in Hawaii, ranks second, with an average layover of 4 hours and 34 minutes. This extended layover time can be attributed to the airport’s relatively limited flight frequency, with around 136 daily departures serving 57 destinations.4 The larger gaps between flights increase the likelihood of longer waits, which should be factored into corporate travel schedules.

3. Miami International Airport

Travelers passing through Miami International Airport face the third-longest average layover time in the country, at 4 hours and 24 minutes. Due to the popular Florida city’s heavy traffic, getting through security checks and walking to your gate can take between 60 and 90 minutes, or longer for international departures.5

However, the East Coast airport offers a stellar layover experience and has, in 2025, earned global recognition as the best airport for layovers due to its wide range of amenities.6 The abundance of restaurants and other services helps travelers stay comfortable and relaxed during waits.

Joshua Wood, Business Director at Booking.com for Business, offers tips on planning for a smooth corporate trip:

“Coordinating complex business trips involving multiple flights and personnel can be a logistical challenge, especially when you’re intending to travel to a particular event or have important meetings booked.

“As a frequent business traveler myself, and with many people on my team also constantly on the move, I understand that one of the biggest sources of stress is whether a layover is actually long enough. While the average layover is typically 3.5 hours, factors such as airport size, security procedures, and walking distance between terminals can affect how manageable a connection is.

“Travelers and travel managers should research these factors to work out a minimum layover time before booking connecting flights. Packing light and reviewing the airport map ahead of time can also help expedite the process.

“Business travel management platforms are another helpful tool. They can provide a one-stop solution for booking, tracking, and managing corporate travel, ensuring smooth coordination across the board. Whether it’s organizing multi-leg flights or booking travel for several team members, these tools simplify the process, saving time and minimizing the risk of mistakes.

“Business travelers and travel managers should, wherever possible, prioritize direct flights. Direct routes not only save time but also reduce the risk of delays or missed connections, which is critical when tight schedules are involved. Travel management platforms can help with this, simplifying the process of comparing flights and hotels by aggregating options from different companies in one place.”