JFK Check-in Time

[SimonM]

I'm travelling on AA33 from JFK to LAX and from there on to NRT on AA169. When I selected this flight, I actually asked for JFK-NRT, but got this.

Is AA33 is considered the first leg of an international trip, meaning I'll need to do the customs thing at JFK or will that happen at LAX?

I'm curious about this as for an international flight I'd probably need to be there before 05:45 as AA33 departs at 07:45, meaning rising in Manhattan at 3-ish. Also a hassle as the first Airport Service bus only gets to JFK at 06:10.

 

[notzac]

There's really no such thing as "outbound immigration" in the US - for Australian citizens travelling on the VWP, all that will happen is that your VWP slip will be removed from your passport and attached to your boarding card at check-in, then it'll be taken off you at port of egress (in this case, at the boarding gate at LAX).

If it's the same plane and flight number all the way through from JFK to NRT, I'm not exactly sure what will happen.

 

[estate]

If it's the same plane and flight number all the way through from JFK to NRT, I'm not exactly sure what will happen.

When I flew QF108 from JFK all the way through to SYD, my greenslip was removed at JFK checkin, and that was it.

Not sure if that is standard procedure, but that's what happened to me!

 

[notzac]

Now I've actually read the OP's post properly .. there's a change in flight number / operating metal, so they'll be relieved of their VWP slip at the boarding gate at LAX. On QF108 you're on the same flight number all the way through, so it makes sense to me that you handed over your VWP slip at JFK.

 

[SimonM]

Thanks Notzac and Estate.

As the VWP slip is handed over at LAX, does it make sense that the flight from JFK is domestic and that I'll be OK to arrive at the airport in about an hour before the flight?

That's really the guts of it. I'm trying to decide when I need to show up. None of the stuff I've got so far has a time on it.

 

[notzac]

Probably best answered by someone who knows JFK - but gut feeling says you want 90 minutes, especially if you don't have oneworld status.

 

[estate]

As the VWP slip is handed over at LAX, does it make sense that the flight from JFK is domestic.

The answer's definitely yes to that part, but as I've only been to JFK a couple of times I'll leave more knowledgable folk than myself to answer when you should arrive.

 

[simongr]

I have only flown with status out of JFK and had no issues with check in but Security is as slow as the express lane in SYD on a busy day. It is often better to use the main channel as they at least have more screeners running.

Do you have luggage? Also you maybe OLCI before the flight to reduce CI time.

 

[SimonM]

Thanks again for your answers. I will have luggage to check, so will have to approach a counter somewhere. Although I don't have any oneworld status, happily I am in J (on an award ticket), so might benefit from a quicker check-in, but security is probably the same for all.

All things considered, I'm going to forget using a shuttle and either stay closer to the airport on my final night or just spring the 45 bucks for a taxi from Manhattan at 5am-ish.

 

[simongr]

Thanks again for your answers. I will have luggage to check, so will have to approach a counter somewhere. Although I don't have any oneworld status, happily I am in J (on an award ticket), so might benefit from a quicker check-in, but security is probably the same for all.

All things considered, I'm going to forget using a shuttle and either stay closer to the airport on my final night or just spring the 45 bucks for a taxi from Manhattan at 5am-ish.

I would do a Town car for only a few bucks more and you have some more assurance about pick up times.

Re check in - J/F check in is close to the express security lane for J/F pax.

 

[SimonM]

And the Town Car would be a nice end to a stay in New York!

Thanks for the info about the express lane. It sounds as though I'll have a smooth exit.

 

[HardieBoys]

Town car is the way to go: the flat $45 taxi fare from Manhattan to Kennedy doesn't include tolls or tip, and ends up pretty close to $60.

The last two times I passed through Kennedy (May & October 2009) the security check-in was time-consuming and not entirely efficient.