Is 2 hours long enough to get thru Immigration?
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Location: Florida/Morocco
Posts: 242
Is 2 hours long enough to get thru Immigration?
Hi .....
If he is flying into New York/JFK on Thanksgiving day, will a 2 hour layover be long enough to get through Immigration/Customs, get luggage, get to another terminal and catch the connection to Florida?
It seems awfully tight to me. Other non-trollish opinions are requested.
Peace,
~k
If he is flying into New York/JFK on Thanksgiving day, will a 2 hour layover be long enough to get through Immigration/Customs, get luggage, get to another terminal and catch the connection to Florida?
It seems awfully tight to me. Other non-trollish opinions are requested.
Peace,
~k
#2
Re: Is 2 hours long enough to get thru Immigration?
Originally posted by saidsgirl
Hi .....
If he is flying into New York/JFK on Thanksgiving day, will a 2 hour layover be long enough to get through Immigration/Customs, get luggage, get to another terminal and catch the connection to Florida?
It seems awfully tight to me. Other non-trollish opinions are requested.
Peace,
~k
Hi .....
If he is flying into New York/JFK on Thanksgiving day, will a 2 hour layover be long enough to get through Immigration/Customs, get luggage, get to another terminal and catch the connection to Florida?
It seems awfully tight to me. Other non-trollish opinions are requested.
Peace,
~k
I'd try and get more time between flights if possible.
#3
Time between Flights
I think it may be a good idea to leave 3-4 hours at least...However, check with the airline who is brining you into JFK from overseas. They will tell you what the minimum time is to set aside for your connecting flight. If you dont make it, THE AIRLINE is responsible for getting you on the next availale flight and make up any difference in cost or have the next carrier take you as is.
Last time I came into LAX (kind of like JFK of the west)...I got upgraded to first class, was one of the first ones in line for immigration (in a line for US Passport Holders) and still missed my connecting flight that was 1 hr 45 minutes after my arrival time!
Last time I came into LAX (kind of like JFK of the west)...I got upgraded to first class, was one of the first ones in line for immigration (in a line for US Passport Holders) and still missed my connecting flight that was 1 hr 45 minutes after my arrival time!
#4
Time between Flights
I think it may be a good idea to leave 3-4 hours at least...However, check with the airline who is brining you into JFK from overseas. They will tell you what the minimum time is to set aside for your connecting flight. If you dont make it, THE AIRLINE is responsible for getting you on the next availale flight and make up any difference in cost or have the next carrier take you as is.
Last time I came into LAX (kind of like JFK of the west)...I got upgraded to first class, was one of the first ones in line for immigration (in a line for US Passport Holders) and still missed my connecting flight that was 1 hr 45 minutes after my arrival time!
By the way.....I just re-red the original post....keep in mind that Thanksgiving is the worst/businest time of the year to travel in the US.
Last time I came into LAX (kind of like JFK of the west)...I got upgraded to first class, was one of the first ones in line for immigration (in a line for US Passport Holders) and still missed my connecting flight that was 1 hr 45 minutes after my arrival time!
By the way.....I just re-red the original post....keep in mind that Thanksgiving is the worst/businest time of the year to travel in the US.
#5
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 16,266
Re: Is 2 hours long enough to get thru Immigration?
Originally posted by saidsgirl
Hi .....
If he is flying into New York/JFK on Thanksgiving day, will a 2 hour layover be long enough to get through Immigration/Customs, get luggage, get to another terminal and catch the connection to Florida?
It seems awfully tight to me. Other non-trollish opinions are requested.
Peace,
~k
Hi .....
If he is flying into New York/JFK on Thanksgiving day, will a 2 hour layover be long enough to get through Immigration/Customs, get luggage, get to another terminal and catch the connection to Florida?
It seems awfully tight to me. Other non-trollish opinions are requested.
Peace,
~k
It took ME an hour as a US Citizen last time I transited JFK. It took us 1 1/2 hours to clear Bradley at LAX a few weeks back, again as a US citizen.
However, although the day BEFORE Thanksgiving is among the busiest days, Thanksgiving day itself is quiet.
[My elder daughter had a habit when she was in school in Boston to buy tickets for Christmas eve -- they were dirt cheap. LAX would be DESERTED when those flights arrived.]
#6
Re: Is 2 hours long enough to get thru Immigration?
Originally posted by saidsgirl
Hi .....
If he is flying into New York/JFK on Thanksgiving day, will a 2 hour layover be long enough to get through Immigration/Customs, get luggage, get to another terminal and catch the connection to Florida?
It seems awfully tight to me. Other non-trollish opinions are requested.
Peace,
~k
Hi .....
If he is flying into New York/JFK on Thanksgiving day, will a 2 hour layover be long enough to get through Immigration/Customs, get luggage, get to another terminal and catch the connection to Florida?
It seems awfully tight to me. Other non-trollish opinions are requested.
Peace,
~k
#7
Re: Is 2 hours long enough to get thru Immigration?
Originally posted by saidsgirl
Hi .....
If he is flying into New York/JFK on Thanksgiving day, will a 2 hour layover be long enough to get through Immigration/Customs, get luggage, get to another terminal and catch the connection to Florida?
It seems awfully tight to me. Other non-trollish opinions are requested.
Peace,
~k
Hi .....
If he is flying into New York/JFK on Thanksgiving day, will a 2 hour layover be long enough to get through Immigration/Customs, get luggage, get to another terminal and catch the connection to Florida?
It seems awfully tight to me. Other non-trollish opinions are requested.
Peace,
~k
Every airport has a minimum connecting time for international flights. I think those times are set up for folks not going through additional interviews etc. The day before Thanksgiving AND the Sunday after Thanksgiving (known as Black Sunday in the travel trade) are the heaviest travel days of the year.
#8
Re: Is 2 hours long enough to get thru Immigration?
Hi Kristine,
Congratulations!!! That is wonderfuls news!!
I have flown on Thanksgiving before and it was absolutely deserted. No experience with JFK on Thanksgiving though. Is he flying Air Maroc?
I have been tossing this exact question around with my husband for months. We have pretty much decided to go through London so we can get a direct flight to Dallas. It will probably mean spending the night in London but that's OK too. I defer to the wisdom of the other posters and think you better give yourself more time.
Keep us posted!!!!
Leslie
Congratulations!!! That is wonderfuls news!!
I have flown on Thanksgiving before and it was absolutely deserted. No experience with JFK on Thanksgiving though. Is he flying Air Maroc?
I have been tossing this exact question around with my husband for months. We have pretty much decided to go through London so we can get a direct flight to Dallas. It will probably mean spending the night in London but that's OK too. I defer to the wisdom of the other posters and think you better give yourself more time.
Keep us posted!!!!
Leslie
Originally posted by saidsgirl
Hi .....
If he is flying into New York/JFK on Thanksgiving day, will a 2 hour layover be long enough to get through Immigration/Customs, get luggage, get to another terminal and catch the connection to Florida?
It seems awfully tight to me. Other non-trollish opinions are requested.
Peace,
~k
Hi .....
If he is flying into New York/JFK on Thanksgiving day, will a 2 hour layover be long enough to get through Immigration/Customs, get luggage, get to another terminal and catch the connection to Florida?
It seems awfully tight to me. Other non-trollish opinions are requested.
Peace,
~k
#9
Re: Is 2 hours long enough to get thru Immigration?
That's nice to know. I assume you mean by "making arrangements" they will put you on a later flight, correct?
Leslie
Leslie
Originally posted by David9287
Hello,
Good question! I have called about 10 POE customs/immigration officers at various POEs and the common denominator is this; it depends on how many people are on the flight and what place in line you get. If all the documents are in order, it can take 15min to get through immigrations. Again this depends on how many people are in front of you. My fiancee' and I are flying in from Odessa, UA to Chicago and have a 2hr lay-over into Denver. The officers all told me, if you miss your connection because of immigration/customs delays, the airline will make arrangments for you. Good luck.
Hello,
Good question! I have called about 10 POE customs/immigration officers at various POEs and the common denominator is this; it depends on how many people are on the flight and what place in line you get. If all the documents are in order, it can take 15min to get through immigrations. Again this depends on how many people are in front of you. My fiancee' and I are flying in from Odessa, UA to Chicago and have a 2hr lay-over into Denver. The officers all told me, if you miss your connection because of immigration/customs delays, the airline will make arrangments for you. Good luck.
#10
Re: Is 2 hours long enough to get thru Immigration?
Originally posted by Leslie66
That's nice to know. I assume you mean by "making arrangements" they will put you on a later flight, correct?
Leslie
That's nice to know. I assume you mean by "making arrangements" they will put you on a later flight, correct?
Leslie
Either book you on the next flight available, or if it's too late, pay for your hotel overnight and get the next flight in the morning. :-)
Rene
#11
Re: Is 2 hours long enough to get thru Immigration?
Hi Rene!!!
Really?? Do all airlines do this? That is the nicest thing I've heard about this process yet.
Leslie
Really?? Do all airlines do this? That is the nicest thing I've heard about this process yet.
Leslie
Originally posted by Noorah101
Hi Leslie
Either book you on the next flight available, or if it's too late, pay for your hotel overnight and get the next flight in the morning. :-)
Rene
Hi Leslie
Either book you on the next flight available, or if it's too late, pay for your hotel overnight and get the next flight in the morning. :-)
Rene
#12
Re: Is 2 hours long enough to get thru Immigration?
Originally posted by saidsgirl
Hi .....
If he is flying into New York/JFK on Thanksgiving day, will a 2 hour layover be long enough to get through Immigration/Customs, get luggage, get to another terminal and catch the connection to Florida?
It seems awfully tight to me. Other non-trollish opinions are requested.
Peace,
~k
Hi .....
If he is flying into New York/JFK on Thanksgiving day, will a 2 hour layover be long enough to get through Immigration/Customs, get luggage, get to another terminal and catch the connection to Florida?
It seems awfully tight to me. Other non-trollish opinions are requested.
Peace,
~k
The very first time I entered in the states (holding a J1) via JFK only took me 15 minutes to go thru immigration, But as far as David said it depends on how many people are ahead of you.
"if you miss your connection because of immigration/customs delays, the airline will make arrangments for you".
Now we are talking lol
#13
Re: Is 2 hours long enough to get thru Immigration?
Originally posted by Leslie66
Hi Rene!!!
Really?? Do all airlines do this? That is the nicest thing I've heard about this process yet.
Leslie
Hi Rene!!!
Really?? Do all airlines do this? That is the nicest thing I've heard about this process yet.
Leslie
#14
Re: Is 2 hours long enough to get thru Immigration?
Originally posted by Noorah101
Hi Leslie
Either book you on the next flight available, or if it's too late, pay for your hotel overnight and get the next flight in the morning. :-)
Rene
Hi Leslie
Either book you on the next flight available, or if it's too late, pay for your hotel overnight and get the next flight in the morning. :-)
Rene
YES and NO-the airlines decline responsibility on weather delays, since those are beyond their control. Mechanical delays they are liable for though.
#15
Re: Is 2 hours long enough to get thru Immigration?
Great news! I had 2 hours 20 mins layover in Detroit when I arrived in the US, and only just made it onto my next flight .... but it seems to vary a lot. If there is another flight later that day, I believe they try their best to get you onto it. The main time was waiting in line - the actual Mysterious Brown Envelope part took about 5 minutes! But then of course there was baggage reclaim, then they X-rayed my bags, and had to hand search one of them, which held me up also.
Debbie
Debbie