Airline sold ticket with short connection
 

Hi everybody,

So I bought a ticket with Finnair to Russia from Canada. I thought NYC was NYC so I JUST realised my flight from Canada lands at LaGuardia and 4:30 hours alter my flight for Europe leaves from JFK. So my connection in USA includes changing airport.

Considering I'm not American, luggage pick-up at LaGuardia, immigration... Is it long enough? It's on a tuesday, in the beginning of the afternoon.


Thank you!!

It's long enough but it's a big pain.

What airport are you flying from in Canada? Most major airports (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver et al) have US "preclearance" - you go through US immigration and customs prior to boarding your plane to the US, which results in your US arrival being like a domestic one. You'll still have to collect your bags and make the schlep to JFK, but you won't have any border difficulties.

You're probably on an American Airlines-operated plane between Canada and LGA. You might contact AA and see if there's a flight to JFK, albeit probably at a different time. You might be able to make the switch, which would make for a far easier trip.

thank you for your quick reply, Gardyloo!!

I'm leaving from Montreal, so I'll sure go trough the US preclearance, thanks for the tip. I wasn't sure at first because I read: ''However, with the notable exceptions of LaGuardia and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, many more US airports now have customs facilities compared to when the preclearance program first started in 1952.''
My English being poor, I thought it may mean I couldn't do it for Montreal to Laguardia

I called Finnair and I can't change any flights as it's all on the same ticket... So I'll go for it.

Nice Way to get info and experience from others. Nice post

@bussole: As long as your flight is on time (and you are willing to take a taxi instead of a cheaper bus) you have enough time for this connection with one major caveat. I'd feel a lot more comfortable if you didn't have to check a bag. Reclaiming baggage at LGA can take sometimes 45 minutes after a flight lands, which would give you only 3-1/2 hours for the connection (still enough time on most days, I'd point out).

It takes between 15 and 45 minutes to get to JFK from LGA by taxi depending on traffic. The day and time of your arrival will have a huge effect on the time it takes to do the transfer, as will the taxi line. But if all goes well, you will leave your plane and be in a taxi within 45 to 60 minutes (possibly a bit longer if you have checked luggage). If the trip to JFK takes only 30 minutes, you have plenty of time to catch your flight.

Be sure you check in for your Finnair flight online, then all you should have to do is stop by the check-in desk at Terminal 8, drop your bag, and go through security (where the security line usually moves along very quickly). You'll likely have time to relax for a few minutes at least before you have to board.

<<Reclaiming baggage at LGA can take sometimes 45 minutes after a flight lands . . . >>

LaGuardia sucks. A 45 minute wait for the bags is NOT uncommon. That said, because you're preclearing in Canada, your gap should be ok.