dac

Hi everyone,
I'm wondering if anyone can give me some advice on which of these flights to choose.
10AM flight leaving CDG arriving JFK at 1220PM
Flights to LAX are at 230PM or 4PM
Airline is American and date is June 18th.
I want to book asap as FF are available.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
DAC

freeman0819

hi dac, if it were me, i would pick the later connection. If there is any delay on the CDG flight, you will more than likely miss the 230pm connecting flight.

You do have to claim your luggage at JFK and go through customs and immigration before checking in for your JFK-LAX flight, so you'd need to add time for that.

If on the day of travel, you happen to get through customs extra quick, you could always ask the agent at the baggage re-check desk, just beyond customs, if you can standby for the earlier connection. If yes, then great, if not, then you have time to browse the shops at your departure gate.

dfr4848

Another vote for the 4 pm flight - no question IMO.

BlueSea

We have done LHR-JFK-BDA many many times on AA and the shortest was 1 hr 20 mins layover - no problemo.

The 230PM JFK- LAX will be okay.

You can have your bags checked-in and tagged all way thru to LAX at CDG. At JFK pick up bags off carousel, open one there and then to pack (make sure to wrap it well with clothes) any duty free liquor or perfume you might buy in CDG in!! Then go thru customs with the bags. Right outside the customs there is bag drop for connecting flights. Deposit your bags there and all you need to do is walk to the boarding gate (you will already be given the JFK-LAX boarding passes at CDG).

AA International arrivals at JFK is very good (IMO) - many Immigration desks - by the time we clear (15 mins) our bags are already on carousel, if not after a few mins' wait.

If the CDG-JFK is delayed, AA will be obliged to put you on the next JFK-LAX flight (there are a few more after the 230PM).

IMO the 2:10 layover is ample, and I'm sure you'll be pleased to be on the 230PM flight, after the long transatlantic flight!

Last thing: if the CDG-JFK flight is late and you miss or are late for the LAX flight, you will still pick up your bags at JFK and have them retagged and be given new boarding passes at the bag drop outside the customs, for the next flight.

rkkwan

I haven't arrived at AA's JFK terminal, but I agree with BlueSea that 2:10 is plenty time. You should feel pretty comfortable with that transfer if you're US citizen/residents.

If you're visitor, then probably the 4pm.

BlueSea

Incidentally, we are visitors to USA - we have British passports so we go thru non-US Immigration. There are plenty of Imm desk there.

Repeat, we think JFK's AA's International arrivals is good - good enough in our opinion. Also Boston is good also.