Fastest route between JFK terminal 8 AA and JFK terminal 5 JetBlue
 

Traveling with my family (husband and 2children), our flight arrives JFK terminal 8 on AA, an international flight and our connecting flight is JetBlue, at terminal 5.
There is an almost 3hrs layover between flights.
I would assume we would have to go through customs, pick up our luggage on arrival and go through security and check-in for JetBlue. What is the fastest route to get from terminal 8 to 5?

Yes, you'll clear Immigration, pick up your luggage then clear Customs upon arrival at JFK.

From there you can proceed to the Sky Train station and take it to terminal 5 where you can check in for your Jet Blue flight (simply follow the overhead signs as you exit the Customs Hall). The Sky Train runs about every 3 minutes and it takes about 8 to 10 minutes to get between terminals.

After you check in for your Jet Blue flight you'll go through the TSA security Check Point in terminal 5 and proceed to your departure gate.

3 hours is plenty of time to do this.

Oops, slight correction. The tram linking the terminals at JFK is called the Air Train not the Sky Train.

Thanks a lot.
So no need to panic and take cab for the trip between terminals?

NO, DO NOT take a cab between terminals! The Air train is easier and faster.

While there's no need to panic, you have a connection that is much tighter than I like, particularly if "almost 3 hours" is actually less than 3 hours and if you are flying on two separate tickets. American and JetBlue are not interline partners, so you really do have to take your bags over to Terminal 5 and check them there; you won't be able to drop them at the ongoing baggage drop after customs.

A taxi might actually take considerably longer than the Airtrain. But you will not have any time to waste. This is a particularly tight connection if you have checked bags. Immigration and Customs at Terminal 8 can take in excess of an hour at busy times, and you may have to wait an additional 15 or 20 minutes for your bags.

Definitely check in for your JetBlue flight online (on your phone at the airport works too). Have your electronic boarding passes in hand and move straight to the Airtrain. It's a short ride to Terminal 5, but it's a VERY long walk from the Airtrain terminal to the security area at Terminal 5, but from there it's easy. But you will not have a minute to spare, and hopefully your flight will be a little early, as international flights often are, especially in the early morning.

The bag-check cut-off at JFK is 40 minutes for domestic flights for JetBlue.

Hi
Can we take the luggage’s in to the AirTran, because we have 5 luggages

Yes you can take luggage on the AirTrain, but you cannot use one of the luggage carts that you rent inside the terminals.

my wife has five baggages and my two kids are going with her but they are 10 and 8 they can’t carry any bag.
how she can take them without cart

Anyone with that much luggage really can't use public transport. I'd think a car service would be the only practical option

thanks

I agree. I'm no expert on JFK but less than 3 hours, going thru immigrations & customs, 2 separate tickets, 2 children, 5 suitcases, somehow she will need some help!

OH - cripes sakes!! -- I didn't even read the whole thread and had a bit of brain freeze :)

I just skimmed and saw the AirTrain suggestion and thought you were looking for transport away from the airport. You are just changing from one terminal to another. That is a WHOLE different problem.

Just forget what I posted . . .

Ignore what janisj and roams posted.
You can take luggage carts on the AirTrain to get from T8 to T5.

Aviation