What are Minimum Connecting Times and how do they impact yacht crew flight booking? 

When booking flights for yacht crew travel, it’s the details that can make the difference between a safe, smooth journey and a costly missed connection. 
Minimum Connecting Times (MCTs) – the shortest time that the airport specifies is needed to transfer between flights – are one such detail. 

MCTs are a key focus at ATPI Yacht Travel as we know that the published figure may not always reflect the reality, which may have potential impact on superyacht crew flights. For instance: 

• Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) continues to maintain an MCT of 40 minutes for Schengen area flights and 50 minutes for non-Schengen connections, but these times were set when it was a single terminal airport. 

• London Heathrow (LHR) meanwhile, offers a potentially more realistic view, especially after British Airways increased the MCT from 60 to 75 minutes for same-terminal international connections in January 2024. 

Another major consideration is that MCTs may not always be dependable when looking on flight booking sites online – which may prioritize shorter MCTs in their listings for commercial purposes. But, whilst it makes commercial sense to have lower connection times listed, they may not make practical sense for planning superyacht crew changes if there is a risk of missed connections. 

Why do MCTs matter for yacht crew change travel? 

For yacht captains and crew, tight transfers can mean: 

• Missed crew rotations, disrupting schedules.
• Delays at immigration, especially for those on seafarer flights. 
• Lost baggage risks, crucial when traveling for months at a time.  

How ATPI Yacht Travel ensures smooth connections 

We always factor in MCTs to ensure every itinerary allows ample time for connections, reducing the risk of missed flights and delays. We also choose yacht crew friendly hubs with efficient onsite transit when making marine airfare for yacht crew bookings. 

Of course, the unexpected is bound to happen. Delays can happen, but our 24/7 Support team is always available to resolve issues quickly, ensuring crew stay on schedule. 

With ATPI Yacht Travel, your crew arrives on time, rested, and ready to work. 

Need expert travel planning for your next crew change? Contact us today.