connecting at JFK New York

[thomros]

I will be starting my cruise from San Juan this Saturday from the UK connecting at JFK. I heard that immigration at JFK is very time consuming due to finger printing etc. I have a waiting time of 2 hours for my connecting flight to San Juan. Could anyone whose been to JFK recently please advise whether the delay at immigration is as bad as I am led to believe. Thank you for your comments.

 

Rosemary

[greatam]

I will be starting my cruise from San Juan this Saturday from the UK connecting at JFK. I heard that immigration at JFK is very time consuming due to finger printing etc. I have a waiting time of 2 hours for my connecting flight to San Juan. Could anyone whose been to JFK recently please advise whether the delay at immigration is as bad as I am led to believe. Thank you for your comments.

 

Rosemary

 

Yes, it can be. A lot depends on how many planes are coming into your terminal at the same time and if your plane is on time. And if you have to change terminals or airline, which means go through customs, recheck luggage and reclear security, you are really pushing it. Two hours is more than the legal connection time for most airlines at JFK, but two hours is generally pushing it.

 

What airline????

[thomros]

I don't have to change terminals but I do have to go through customs and re-check my baggage. I will be travelling on American Airlines

[bobnatt]

I don't have to change terminals but I do have to go through customs and re-check my baggage. I will be travelling on American Airlines

 

You should be ok, assuming your plane arrives on time, American has a fantastic brand new terminal and I am sure they have made provisions to make sure the foreign connections work. Worst case is you miss the flight but American has the most flights from NYC to San Juan so you should be able to get on a following flight.

 

When the flight arrives and if the line seems to be going slowly do not be a shrinking violet. Grab an American Airlines representative and tell them you need to be sure you catch the San Juan flight since you will be going on a cruise. They will probably escort you to the front of the line.