Is a 35 min layover in San Salvador long enough?

SAL · El Salvador International · San Salvador, El Salvador
Cutting It Close

No, 35 minutes is probably not enough for a layover at SAL (San Salvador).

Cuts it too close given immigration/transit checks that can apply to some itineraries.
Concourses
2
Max Transit
20m
Avg. Security
15m
Primary Hub
Avianca
Domestic → Domestic
45min
✗
Domestic → International
45min
✗
International → Domestic
45min
✗
International → International
60min
✗
AD PLACEMENT — CONTEXTUAL
Avianca's hub banks mean many connections are scheduled tight but the terminal is small enough to make them on foot.
If your inbound flight parks at a remote stand, budget extra time for the bus transfer to the terminal.
Keep boarding passes and passports handy — some connecting passengers are routed through a secondary transit checkpoint rather than full immigration.
Signage is bilingual (Spanish/English) but can be sparse, so check departure screens promptly after deplaning.
Avoid checking bags separately on non-interline itineraries, since baggage recheck at SAL can eat into a tight connection.
12a6a12p6p12a
Low risk
Moderate
High risk
Tight connections are safer outside peak hours. Morning rush (6–9a), midday (11a–2p), and evening (4–8p) are highest risk.
The single terminal building means most gate-to-gate walks take 5-10 minutes, but a portion of aircraft park on remote stands requiring an apron bus that adds 10-15 minutes. Security re-screening is generally not required for same-terminal international-international transfers on Avianca, though passengers arriving from certain flagged origins may be pulled for secondary checks.
Is 35 minutes enough for a layover at El Salvador International (SAL)?

Cuts it too close given immigration/transit checks that can apply to some itineraries.

What is the minimum connection time at SAL?

Minimum connection times at El Salvador International: Domestic-to-Domestic is 45 minutes, International-to-International is 60 minutes. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell.

Can I make a 35 minutes connection at SAL on an international flight?

35 minutes is below the 60-minute international MCT at El Salvador International. You may need to rush and could miss your connection. The single terminal building means most gate-to-gate walks take 5-10 minutes, but a portion of aircraft park on remote stands requiring an apron bus that adds 10-15 minutes. Security re-screening is generally not required for same-terminal international-international transfers on Avianca, though passengers arriving from certain flagged origins may be pulled for secondary checks.

How much time do I need for a layover at SAL?

We recommend at least 1 hour for a comfortable connection at El Salvador International. This gives you enough buffer for security (typically 15 minutes) and transit between terminals (up to 20 minutes).

What happens if I miss my connection at SAL?

If you miss a connection, head to the Avianca transfer desk or ticket counter inside the terminal, as Avianca (the dominant carrier) has staff dedicated to rebooking hub misconnects, often onto the next bank of flights within a few hours.

AD PLACEMENT — BEFORE FOOTER