Min. Time needed to connect through JFK

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Ktan89

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Need advice connecting through JFK.
The partner and i will be flying to JFK in Finnair Business arriving at 2.40pm.
We need to make a connecting flight to LAX on a separate booking/ticket and looks like there are a few options - all economy:
- 16.55 pm Alaskaairlines
- 16.55 pm Delta
- 18.15 pm Delta
- 19.25 pm Delta
Really don't want to stay in that airport for anymore time than I have to, so I'm leaning towards 16.55 but i'm also scared 2hours is mot enough time.
Is JFK simple to navigate around?
 
What is your tolerance for forgoing your JFK-LAX flight and stumping up for a new ticket at the last minute that could cost >$500? The issue isn't the time needed to connect in normal situation, but what tolerance you need to build in if the inbound flight from HEL is delayed.

I'd lean to at least 4 hrs on separate tickets to manage the risk of delay of inbound flight (and for airline caused delay, you are covered for delays >3 hrs with EU compensation).
 
Finnair Terminal 8

Alaska Airlines Terminals 7 and 8

Delta Terminals 1, 2 and 4.

You'll arrive, go through immigration etc and then need to determine where your next flight will depart from. Even if you have checked prior to departure you'll need to recheck on arrival so you can head to the correct terminal.

As you can see you will almost inevitably have to change terminals depending on where your flight departs from. The take the AirTrain to get there, check in, go through security and find your gate.

Noting you're travelling on separate tickets if your incoming flight is late you'll probably lose your flight bookings.

The flight at 1815 hours is probably the one that would meet minimum 'sensible connection time'.

Good luck.
 
Thanks @Hvr, I didn't know there was that many terminals at JFK and delta could be flying out from 3 of them.

I will look at either the 615pm or 725pm now.

Another question will the airline not rebook us to a later flight for free if we missed it?

@dajop You're probably right, I will get more annoyed if there was a delay and I get stuck at JFK.

I was going by this statistic on AY5 performance
 
Another question will the airline not rebook us to a later flight for free if we missed it?


No, because your journey to JFK ends once you arrive there. Your new PNR is a journey commencing from JFK.

Your flight with Delta is totally separate from how you get to JFK.

They may be sympathetic and offer you another flight but it could be many hours later, maybe even the next day.

The other thing to remember is that you will need to carry your own luggage with you between terminals. The AirTrain is set up for luggage but can get quite busy and full. It's not unknown to miss a train.
 
And, you do need to allow time for your luggage to get to the carousel and for you to collect it and hopefully not get pulled over for a quarantine check as I was last time I went into JFK.
 
Last time I arrived at JFK with a checked bag (Wine), it took 50 minutes for the priority luggage to come out.

Boarding for the LAX flight will generally commence 45 minutes before scheduled departure.
 
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Not specifically mentioned is that US immigration was take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours - please keep this in mind. Personally I would plan to travel the following day (which in itself is a real hassle) but takes all the stress out of connecting and/or long waits at the airport. Better still if you have time - spend a few day in NYC.
 
I replied to this last night but for some reason post disappeared.

I flew in to JFK from LHR on BA back in June, landed at 4pm, didnt get to gate for about 15 mins, disembarked quickly but then a huge wait for immigration. They only had 3 counters open for US Citizens and everyone else, it took over 90mins for me to get near front of the queue at which time they finally decided to open another 3 counters. It was like all of immigration were on worlds longest coffee break.

So it can easily take 2 hours from landing just to clear immigration, then you need to recheck in and bag drop, so id allow 4 hours min, assuming no weather.
 
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Thanks for all the feedback - i had a feeling JFK will be a nightmare especially with TSA and US immigration.

We really don't want to spend a night there since we'll bee back in NYC for a week before flying JFK - NRT.

AY5 generally arrives on time around 1500 (Finnair (AY) #5 ✈ FlightAware). But what month is yr trip, if in winter, the weather can be quite bad around JFK, or elsewhere which affects departure times.

Will be flying to JFK in April Easter Friday.. I guess it's has to be one of the options below:
- 19:25 Delta
- 20:15 Alska
OR
next day- 07:00 Jetblue

The 19:25 flight should be OK right?
 
On a connected ticket, i be using 2hr minimum if onward options, 3hrs if few flights / poor onward options.

Unconnected i’d want a minimum of 4hrs. Possibly more.
 
I've done connected as short as 50min before SYD - BKK - KBV and had no issues but i've never done a separate ticket connection.

Why not have a few days in NYC?
Will do a week in NYC when i return to the city to fly JFK to Japan.
need to do the westcoast first for a festival there.
 
Perhaps consider a night at the TWA hotel and lounge around at the pool, eat and then get the first flight out in the morning. I rarely do flights with a tight connection (esp in the USA), on seperate PNRs as I find them anxious making.
 
So your arrival is 1440 and you’re looking at departing at 1925, turning up at the gate at around 1845 ish. That would be a relaxed connection. Maybe catch the free AirTrain around the loop and look over at the TWA Hotel as you pass.
 
So your arrival is 1440 and you’re looking at departing at 1925, turning up at the gate at around 1845 ish. That would be a relaxed connection. Maybe catch the free AirTrain around the loop and look over at the TWA Hotel as you pass.

I hope so.. Let me try break it down:
Arrive 15:00
Exit through immigration 16:00-16:30
(Look at TWA hotel)
Check in counter by 17:30
Gate by 18:45

I wonder if i can jump on the 18:15 flight if i make it to the check in counter by 17:00...
I did read up somewhere Delta can place you on a later flight if you miss the flight due to factors out of your control.
 
... Delta can place you on a later flight if you miss the flight due to factors out of your control.
What would those factors be? Are $$$$ involved? The thing is, you are not travelling on a single PNR, so your connection/on-ward flight is not protected.
 
It seems your best bet is to ask if you can get on the earlier flight when you drop off your bag at check in. Perhaps not a good idea to exit and reenter immigration and security. Just stay airside.
 
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What would those factors be? Are $$$$ involved? The thing is, you are not travelling on a single PNR, so your connection/on-ward flight is not protected.

I read it here.. looks like it's case by case and up to the gate agent.

It seems your best bet is to ask if you can get on the earlier flight when you drop off your bag at check in. Perhaps not a good idea to exit and reenter immigration and security. Just stay aside.

Yup, this is what I will do. spoken to the partner we agreed to take the 19:25 flight or fly out the next day at 7:00am. Thanks guys! better playing it safe
 
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