Flying through JFK

[Motley 38]

How much time would be good for a layover before catching another flight. The layover to the next flight is just over 2 1/2 hours. Will that be enough to get through customs/immigration?

[NuZayetsPogodi 117]

When I flew through JFK in March, I landed at 5PM. I'm a USC. I went through customs, picked up my bags, helped a non-English speaker on my flight get to her next flight in a completely different terminal (terminal 5), returned to terminal 1, and left the airport at 6:45PM. However, I know this airport fairly well. So, 2 1/2 hours should be fine, especially if you're staying in the same terminal. I would Google your flight and see if it tends to run on time.

[Pishi_Pishi 63]

It's hard to say. They try to move people as quickly as possible, but there are times where I was stuck in line for full 2 hours or more. Sometimes can be quick and sometimes could be not enough if too many flights landed about the same time.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Depends on the time you arrive, how many other international flights arrive at the same time, how many CBP officers are working etc. I used to fly through Newark a lot, the longest it took me just to clear CBP was two and a half hours and the fastest (which was when I immigrated) took five minutes.

Did you book the two flights as part of one reservation? If so, if you don't make your connecting flight, the airline will re-book you to a later flight free of charge.

[Motley 38]

I have not booked anything yet. It's too far out at this point. It would be the first time that my Fiancee is coming to the USA with her K1. She would have to change terminals for sure as the terminal she arrives at would be international only. Normally 2 1/2 would probably be fine but with it being a first time person with a K1 I'm a bit nervous.

[aratamorne 164]

Meet her there and fly the rest of the way with her, make it a surprise and you are a hero. This way if anything does go wrong, she will not be stuck there by herself. JFK is not the worst airport, but I ran in to plenty of confused folks and 2.5 hrs is cutting it close for an international flight with a local connection.

Good Luck

[teddy k 35]

Meet her there and fly the rest of the way with her, make it a surprise and you are a hero. This way if anything does go wrong, she will not be stuck there by herself. JFK is not the worst airport, but I ran in to plenty of confused folks and 2.5 hrs is cutting it close for an international flight with a local connection.

Good Luck

[teddy k 35]

I 2ND that I flew through JFK in the winter time and when it snows they shut down so plan your travel very well

[Greenbaum 12,259]

How much time would be good for a layover before catching another flight. The layover to the next flight is just over 2 1/2 hours. Will that be enough to get through customs/immigration?

Best to allow 3 to 4 hours. 4 is best.

[Brassballs 47]

I 2nd Greenbaum's response. Too many things have to go right for a K1 visa to meet a departing flight in just 2.5 hours. Especially with a terminal change.