Help re flight changeover times in JFK Please

hethmar

Could someone please help. I am flying by myself to visit friends in NY State. This requires London Heathrow/JFK and then a Jetblue from JFK to Syracuse (where my friends will pick me up) and then the reverse journey.


Ive found flights with Virgin leaving 28 July and returning 4 August. The outward journey and return journey allow me about 2 hours at JFK to get the connecting flights (to Syracuse on the way out and Heathrow coming back).


Can anyone tell me whether this is enough time please? I dont even know if the connecting flights are in the same buildings? The previous flight would mean me sitting around for 8 hours in JFK coming home Not a fun prospect on your own.


Be very grateful for input please asap

Paddy2eyes

IMO 2 hours is too little as these flights are on seperate itineraries. US immigration and baggage reclaim at JFK can sometimes take over an hour to clear, then possibly have to change terminals and check in for your next flight.
On the way back you should be checked in for your international flight at least 2 hours before departure, not arriving at the airport still having to claim luggage and change terminals.
There is no leeway for your flights to be even a little late and as your tickets are on seperate itineraries, if your miss your flight, the airline is under no obligation to accomodate you on a later flight.

Alan_Bowen

If all you had was hand luggage I would say fine. The problem is the operate out of different terminals and on arrival you have to face JFK immigration which can either be very quick, out in 20 minutes when United used to fly to New York but that was because most of the passengers were US not UK citizens and 2 hours with other airlines. I think 2 hours would be a push at such a large airport, and on your return, what is the minimum check in time at JFK for Virgin? If its two hours then you have no chance at all, I must admit Virgin allowed me check in 40 minutes before departure at Heathrow once but that was a long time ago and the US has much more stringent checks.

Remember you won't be able to through check either yourself or your luggage either way. JetBlue is a brilliant airline, operates out of Terminal 5 and recommend checking in 1 hour prior to departure......Virgin operate out of Terminal 4 which is next door, but I have never flown through 4 so I cannot say how close to hand it is. Virgin claim on their website to accept check in at JFK up to 1 hour prior to departure so you might just make it on the way back, providing your flight from Syracuse is on time

Murphy_The_Cat

I'm sorry to break the bad news to you, but IMO, 2 hours is nowhere enough enough time for your flight INTO the States - you will need to clear immigration, customs, collect your bags, recheck them and then find your way to your next flight.
3 hours fine, 2 hours, not realistic.

lorweld

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Pssst

If everything went absolutely on time and perfectly you might make it but you;d be cutting it fine.

Murphy_The_Cat

Pssst wrote: »

If everything went absolutely on time and perfectly you might make it but you;d be cutting it fine.

would YOU chance it ?

There isn't a snowball in hell chance that I would -- especially with neither of them being through flights on the same airline.

Teahfc

Rather than go Virgin / Jet blue why not try booking through expedia and going on BMI / United. ?

For £584.00 round trip the following ;

London Heathrow 10.05 am depart
Washington 13.30 arrive
Washington 16.49 depart
Syracuse 18.09 arrive

Syracuse 14.07 depart
Washington 15.23 arrive
Washington 17..31 depart
London Heathrow 05.55 next day arrival.


Better times in between arrivals and all the flights are run by United so on the Journey home you can check your bag all the way from Syracuse to London.

I read your previous thread and I have done this journey to Syracuse a few times.

richardw

No it isn't, don't book it, definately not money saving.
Book a through ticket London-Syracuse, so if there are any problems the airline will put you on the next flight at your entry point to the US.

Murphy_The_Cat

Teahfc wrote: »

Rather than go Virgin / Jet blue why not try booking through expedia and going on BMI / United. ?

For £584.00 round trip the following ;

I read your previous thread and I have done this journey to Syracuse a few times.

That looks like a VERY helpful suggestion to me

It might cost you a few ££ more, but the lack of hassle would be a godsend.

hethmar

Very grateful for all your help. I just tried expedia to book a through flight with US Airways via Philadelphia and am slightly alarmed that they give me flights allowing only 35 minutes to changeover at Phili on the way back :eek:But I am concerned about using different companies which as richard says will wash their hands of me if a flight is delayed and I miss the connection. That could be very expensive.

Added complication (for me) being that I had hoped Id be accompanied by my adult son but now he is unable to change his work schedules so I shall be a dithering old dear on my own. (and the drive to Boston for a few days is now out)

Oh tea, I see you say all flights by one company there? I thought you had two with BMI and United.

Virgin dropped their flight costs from £502 to £423 yesterday - but I guess on top is about £75 if I use jet blue, which would be £500 ish anyway.

Just checked again and I can actually get flights by jet blue to syracuse 3 hours after Virgin landing time and 2 and half hours from JFK on the way back? I guess that would still be iffy if they are in different terminals/different companies?