Four friends and I are going to Venice in January. We have two possible flights over. One has a connecting time of 1 hour 17 minutes at JFK; the other is more like 5 hours. Is the short one doable? I have never flown through JFK in January. If you often fly through JFK, what would you do?

Are both flights on the same airline? I believe Delta is the only airline that flies non-stop from JFK to Venice.

Personally I'd be ok with a 77min layover since there is nothing to do but walk from your arrival gate to the departure gate. Others are more risk averse and may advice you to do the 5r layover.

If you are checking bags then I'd make sure I had enough in my carryon for the 1st two days.

yes, the short one is doable, unless there is a terrible snowstorm. Buy trip insurance. Even if you took the longer layover, if there is a giant blizzard, you would likely be "inconvenienced" in a major way.

In January you are subject to weather delay. You need to check your flight into JFK and see what time it really lands in January.

Frankly I would never even consider 77 minutes at any airport any time - all it would take is a 20 minute delay and you would be sprinting through the airport and praying you make it. (Arrival time is wheels down - not you in the terminal - you need to aasume that from wheels down to you getting off the plane is 15 minutes - perhaps 20 if you're sitting at the back.) How quickly are you able to move long distances through the airport with your carry-ons.

It really depends on how risk averse you are. For me - this would make the beginning of my vacation fraught with anxiety. Esp since there is only one plane per day to Venice.

Also keep in mind:if you are connecting to the direct Delta flight, it does not go every day of the week. So if you miss it because of the short connection, depending on the day of the week, there may or may not be the same flight the next day. Chances are you would get put on partner airline (Air France or Alitalia) and then have connection in Paris, Rome, or Milan.

I am not a very risky traveler; at least on the way there! I think it is a short connection, but I have not flown through JFK in a few years. It is Delta to Delta, but I have sat on delayed planes and sweat bullets about connections. Thanks for the advice. I think we will take the 5 hour and have a long lunch!