At JFK airport,I and 2 teens need to get from terminal 9 to terminal 8 to catch a flight to Rome, and I have 1 1/4 hours to walk the distance, which, according to the web site, looks like under 1/3 of a mile. An easy walk , but with landing at the first terminal, disembarking, making our way through the concourse to the overseas gate, and allowing for a possible delay on the first leg of this trip, do you all think this is doable? The alternative is a 3 hour layover at JFK. Has anyone depended on an overseas connection with only 1 1/4 hours to do it?

Hi RosieM - This topic has come up in similar forms such as time to get from plane to train in Paris, etc. Even if the distance from Terminal 9 to 8 is as short as you say, what about getting your luggage from the first flight? Also, for most international flights the airlines want you there at least two hours early. (When I went to Rome on Alitalia the end of Jan., they said 2 1/2 hours.) Also, as you said, suppose your incoming flight is late? I think you might be better off with the later connection.<BR>Mara

I would say that the 3-hour layover is much better giving the potential for flight delays at JFK. <BR>However, your message was not clear to me as to whether you bought the tickets for the US and int'l portion together. If so, the travel agent or airline should not have sold you the ticket unless the connection time was sufficient according to the rules of the US and int'l carrier. Check with your travel agent or the airline, esp if your US carrier and int'l carrier are different. If you bought the US portion separately from the int'l portion, you may have a problem, especially if you have to collect your bags at Term 9 and then check-in again for the int'l flight. This will slow you down considerably. If you can check-in on the first leg and also get boarding passes for the Italian flight and check your bags all the way through to Italy, then your 1.5 connection time should be enough. You would by-pass the long check-in lines at Term 8 and just head for the gate, so you potentially could make it. If it were me, however, I would take the 3 hour layover as I operate on Murphy's law when travelling by air. I am not a fan of JFK airport generally as I think they have more delays than the other NY airports.<BR>

I recently went through the same question - except my terminals were much farther apart (1 hr 40 min to change between terminals 3 and 7). My inbound flight was delayed and I had to be re-routed. Delta/Air France were great about it, but if I would have had the option of giving myself 3 hours I would have taken it. <BR><BR>But an important question is: is it all under the same airline (is it American Airlines)? If so, they should be able to give you boarding passes at your home airport. If they are under different airlines, even if they are partner airlines with codeshare agreements, they won't give you boarding passes at your home airport. In fact, you are not considered checked-in for the flight until you arrive to their counter at JFK. This would give you much less than 1 hour to check-in for an international flight. I definitely would take the 3 hour lay-over.

Pre 9/11 we were supposed to make an hour and a half connection to a Paris flight in Pittsburgh (and meet our children ON that flight). Our outbound flight was delayed by mechanical problems--and it went downhill from there. Suffice to say we DID make it but ONLY because the Paris flight was also delayed. The airline itself made those reservations--never again will I count on such a close connection. Get the three hour cushion--it will pass quickly.

Rosie,<BR>JFK is my home airport. Based on what you posted, I can only offer the following general info assuming you're flying AA.<BR><BR>Term 9 to Term 8 walking time.<BR>Term 8, Concourse A where most AA Int'l flights depart is ~20 minute (max) walk depending on arrival gate at Term 9, crowds and your walking speed. If you can, snag a luggage cart for your carry ons but don't go out of your way to get one.<BR><BR>Is it possible to make your connection? Yes, provided:<BR>- you have Rome boarding passes and baggage checked thru from your departure AP.<BR>- JFK arrival delay is &lt;=20 minutes <BR>- TSA screen takes ~10 minutes. Don't laugh, it can be done <BR><BR>Is it worth trying to make the connection?<BR>Yes! If your current booking is on AA's new nonstop to Rome or their flight thru Zurich. Zurich is very easy and fast to transit.<BR><BR>If your current bookings are thru CDG or LHR, I wouldn't bust my chops to make them; as I recall the later flights are also thru LHR or CDG where transit is way more &quot;painful&quot; than Zurich, IMHO.<BR>hth,<BR>