Connection at JFK with Delta
 

Hello all,

I have travelled many times to NYC through JFK but this is my first transfer there. So I still have some doubts.

My Delta flight from Amsterdam arrives at JFK terminal 4 at 11:40am, my connecting flight to STI also with Delta departs from the same terminal at 2 pm.

I know this has been asked multiple times but I'm worried That I might miss my connecting flight.

Can I check my bags in all the way to my final destination when checking in in Amsterdam?

Assuming I can, then I would still have to claim them and drop them off and proceed to security check correct?
And if I already have a boarding pass for my connecting flight do I need to "double check" at JFK?

Thank you in advance for the feedback.

>>Can I check my bags in all the way to my final destination when checking in in Amsterdam? <<

Yes you will check them 'all the way through' but you still must retrieve them at JFK to go through Customs. Then you drop them off (you don't need to 're-check' them)

>>And if I already have a boarding pass for my connecting flight do I need to "double check" at JFK? <<

Not sure what you mean by 'double check'.

Just be sure to stay airside.

I assume by "double check" OP means checking in for the connecting flight. If you already have your Boarding Pass for the connecting flight (in this car OP will get that when he/she checks in for the flight in Amsterdam) you'll already be checked in so NO NEED to check in again at JFK. After you clear immigration & customs and dropping off your luggage (the drop-offstation is just outside customs) just proceed to the TSA check-point and the gate for your connecting flight.

Note to janisj - since OP will be coming from a foreign country he/she cannot remain "airside". He/she will exit the secure area once they clear customs. After dropping off the checked luggage he/she will have to go to the nearest TSA checkpoint for screening then go to the gate for the connecting flight.

oops -- of course you are right . . . it was very late and I just messed up. . . . :(

I have made that connection a couple of times. If you have Global Entry it is a breeze. There is also a Global Entry line for customs - it is far right and (last year) did not have a big sign to id the line. You will get angry looks as you catch the GE line but that is why you paid the big bucks.

Once you have had access to your check luggage for customs purposes you have to go through the TSA line again but GE gives you pre-checked. So assuming you flight is on time, you should be good to go.

Your layover is over 2 hours long, so I think you will have no trouble making the connection, even with having to pick up your bags, go through security, recheck them, etc.

Thank you all for the replies!! Yes by "re check" I meant check in again in JFK. Glad to know I won't need to stand in that line.

I will also be looking into that GE thing. Maybe it's something for me.

When is your trip? Global Entry takes time ... as in weeks ... for your approval and interview process. Unless you are flying in June, you probably won't have time to do it.

...even with having to pick up your bags, go through security, recheck them, etc.....

That is not the sequence. You pick up your checked luggage, go through customs, and immediately re-deposit your previous check luggage, then you go through TSA security. When you hand over your luggage after customs, you bags should already have the your final stop tags on your luggage. Double check it. There should be no re-checking of your luggage only a drop off.