helloimtom

Hi there.
I'm currently looking to book flights from London Heathrow to Rio De Janeiro. The best flight I've found would take me through JFK airport where I'll have an 85 minute stopover. Is this enough time to make the connecting flight?

Facts:
Both flights are with American Airlines
Arrive and Depart from Terminal 8.
Both flights will be issued on same ticket.
A non US citizen.
Will have checked bag.
Quick on my feet.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Tom

newtome

no.

MrNuke

Maybe, but I don't think I'd risk it. 85 minutes is really only 70 minutes given you need to be at the Rio gate 15 minutes before departure. And this is assuming your LHR flight arrives on time.

In terminal 7 last month, the average Customs and Border Patrol processing time was 20 minutes at the time of your LHR arrival but the maximum was 94 minutes (you'd miss the flight). So if everything went well, yeah you'd have a good shot of making it. Everything doesn't necessarily go well though.

American Airlines flight 105 arrives into JFK earlier would give you a safer 3 hour connection.

RoamsAround

Terminal 8 is easy to negotiate BUT you'll have to clear immigration/customs upon your arrival at JFK, reeler the TSA Security Checkpoint and then make your way back to the Departure Gate for your connecting flight.

85 minutes is cutting that way too close. It will work only if the stars align perfectly - one little glitch and you'll miss your flight.

Remember, that while you can be early for a a flight and not suffer any consequences more dire than sitting in an airport for a few extra minutes if you arrive at your connecting gate after boarding has been closed by as little as a minute the upshot is YOU'VE MISSED YOUR FLIGHT.

Give yourself more time.

doug_stallings

No, there isn't remotely enough time. It can take over an hour just to clear immigration checks, and this happens routinely. And then most airlines at JFK require luggage to be checked an hour before a flight. I don't know if this applies as strictly to re-checked bags since they may or may not be x-rayed. You need 3 hours between flights.

helloimtom

Thanks for the responses. I think I'm going to go for an earlier flight that allows me almost 4 hours. I'm in rush and don't want to be panicking the entire first half of my journey. After hearing all your responses it seems crazy that airlines can sell tickets for changeovers that are so narrow.

rkkwan

85 minutes is enough time (with no margin) for US citizens and residents. And with more than enough time for those with Global Entry. The airlines don't differentiate citizenship when you book flights, and they cannot control how crappily the US Gov't treat its visitors.

Southam

The US insistence on treating transit passengers as if they were entering the United States, to the point of photographing and fingerprinting, puts extra squeeze on your transit. You do not have 85 minutes, either, since airlines want passengers in the departure lounge well before the stated time.

Trektheworld

Honestly you can make it if you can cut in lines. I had a 60 minute layover in FT lauderdale coming from the Dominican Republic and if I didn't cut the lines I would have never made it.

Be prepared for people waiting in line to give you attitude, not all though. Politely ask the person you are going to get in front of and they will let you.