Flying from Portland to Athens. The direct flight leaving from PDX at 6:30 AM to JFK leaves me with a 59 min connection time before the flight leaving from JFK to ATH. This is the only Delta flight from JFK to ATH that day. Delta is 90%-99% on time for the PDX to JFK flight. The gate to the ATH flight is close by in the International area, so getting from A to B shouldn't be a problem. We are carrying on our luggage.

Another possibility is to fly to Atlanta and have a 2:50 hr. layover. Total travel time is then 2 hours longer than the JFK connecting flight.

What is your experience? What would you do? Thanks.

I have not had good luck at JFK, so due to my history, I would select the Atlanta connection....

Agree wiwth Debi. JFK from about four PM until eight is full of international (TATL) carriers loading. Experiences a few months ago were that our incoming flights were parked remotely and pax are bussed to the terminal. Missed our flight to Pisa, BTW.

It's a tight connection and only doable if you have no incoming delays from Portland. I'd go through Atlanta if I had a choice.

As the others are saying, hands down ATL.

Watch weather channel (for ATL and JFK weather about a day before you depart Portland.) While JFK does have weather/ATC delays,Atlanta has similar delays,esp with Thunderstorms in the spring and summer.What every traveler needs to understand is that when you bought your ticket,there is something called terms and conditions of contract-meaning the airline will do it's best to get you to your destination but IS NOT liable for delays or cancellations,unless it is a mechanical problem.If ATL or JFK have weather issues,DL might reroute you to another airline,again,watch the weather and if ATL or JFK show delays(check FAA.gov also) ask @Portland to be re-routed,if possible.Keep in mind other airlines may be booked full,too.Don't worry too much,and go with the flow,if there is a delay.

I would consider anything less than 1.5 hours insufficient to make an international connection at JFK.

JFK is famous for delays. Your inbound flight could sit for an hour before being towed to the gate.

So,I would definitely choose the ATL connection.

BTW: On my last missed connection at JFK I was told that my 55 minute connection was not legal. I don't know if this was just dismissive "gate speak" but it is worth checking out.
According to the gate agent, there is some fine print on the reservation system about these close connections.
I could never find it, but the language might be there.