How much time needed between flights at POE?

[PirateLiker 11]

I am looking at flights for my fiance. I found one that has only 1.5 hours between her flight that first lands in America and the connection to my city. Am I correct in assuming this is not enough time? If not, how much time should I plan for her from when her plane lands at POE and when she connects to the next leg of the journey?

 

[p-ana 933]

Hard to say. Depends on the airport, time, how many more international flights are arriving at the same time, etc. 

take a look at the Poe reviews for the airport and you’ll get some estimations 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

5 minutes ago, PirateLiker said:

I am looking at flights for my fiance. I found one that has only 1.5 hours between her flight that first lands in America and the connection to my city. Am I correct in assuming this is not enough time? If not, how much time should I plan for her from when her plane lands at POE and when she connects to the next leg of the journey?

 

 

I myself advise at least 3 hours or more layover time.

 

For instance, my husband came and POE was Dallas (I went to meet him there), it took him 2-2 1/2 hours to finally exit immigrations and bag claim. Mostly cause in secondary he was unfortunately the last one to get "questioned" so to say. Imagine if he had to go claim his bags, then redo security into the airport and potentially change terminals to catch another flight? Impossible. In reality, time needed can vary; but think leaving 4-5 hours is more than reasonable.

Edited October 25, 2018 by Ben&Zian

[geowrian 22,337]

I concur..it varies heavily based on the above factors (and more). Even then, 1.5h is cutting it tight even if it's a slow time IMO.

For busy airports like LAX, I don't feel comfortable with anything under 4 hours layover.

 

Note that POE isn't always the first landing in the US. There are some preclearance airports where you will go through immigration there before actually being in the US.

https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/ports-entry/operations/preclearance

[Crazy Cat 41,904]

My opinion is that it depends on the POE, BUT there are other variables as well such as flight delays, etc.  Personally, I would suggest a layover of at least 3 to 4 hours..at the very least....just my opinion.

[PirateLiker 11]

Thanks. This makes sense. I'll look for at least 4 hours. Chicago was the one for the flight in question. Other options will probably be New York or Washington Dulles

[Crazy Cat 41,904]

One more thing...My wife's POE was DFW.......took her more than 90 minutes.....

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

Even if plane lands on time

20 or more to taxi in 

then wait to debark

then wait for customs and immigrtion

hard to do even if all goes smoothly

and now we are entering the bad weather months with airport delays

i always allow 3 to 4 hours and hope we land on time

tell her to make sure luggage is checked to final designation (even if changing airlines) so she doesn't have to pick it up and check it in again

[PirateLiker 11]

14 minutes ago, adil-rafa said:

 

tell her to make sure luggage is checked to final designation (even if changing airlines) so she doesn't have to pick it up and check it in again

I think I'll suggest that:)

Control issues in her last relationship;)

[carmel34 3,635]

52 minutes ago, PirateLiker said:

 

tell her to make sure luggage is checked to final designation (even if changing airlines) so she doesn't have to pick it up and check it in again

Remember that at US POE passengers have to claim and then re-check their bags after clearing customs.  They will be pre-tagged to the final destination but passengers have to physically exit with them and give their checked bags to the luggage people after exit.

[Alabamak1 688]

2 hours ago, PirateLiker said:

Thanks. This makes sense. I'll look for at least 4 hours. Chicago was the one for the flight in question. Other options will probably be New York or Washington Dulles

Turkish airlines has a early landing flight in ATL (Atlanta) from Kiev. POE seems to be super fast there. My wife did the flight and even with the layover in Turkey with no problems. I would say around 45 minutes or less. Keep the luggage in 2 pieces and sealed envelope on one hand. They see that and you can be fast forwarded to the front of the line. They know it's a new immigrant and then you go to the Tripod area and boom you done if not to many people there.  

[Ksenia_O 696]

13 hours ago, PirateLiker said:

Thanks. This makes sense. I'll look for at least 4 hours. Chicago was the one for the flight in question. Other options will probably be New York or Washington Dulles

Hi.

 

 adil-rafa mentioned  the bad weather season. And it made it's job in NY with my son (entered on a K2) -  his flight from Kiev was delayed due to weather there,  the flight from NY to our city got cancelled due to  weather here, and there was no flight , at all, from the airport, until next day. They still managed to land coming flights, but any take offs were not allowed. You can imagine the mess , "created" by the situation. The next morning turned into complete disaster - all those people, who stuck at the airport, were trying to get a boarding pass for the next flight....

 

My husband (then fiance) also had that problem once,, on his way to Ukraine.

 

Sure,  it can happen anywhere, but seems like East Coast is more "vulnerable" at this point and I'd try to avoid it. 

 

Also, there is no way to skip  a luggage pick-up at a POE. She will have to get  and check it in for her next flight after she is done with the Customs. 

The only time I've avoided a luggage pick up was on my way to the US through Toronto - still had to go through both, Canadian and US Customs, but the luggage traveled "through" to my final destination.

But if you are not an LPR, when a transit visa is required for Ukrainian citizen, traveling through Canada by air.

 

Anyway, as others said, give it at least 3-4 hours, a layover time. 

 

P.S. Again  - good to hear you're trying to work it out and  moving forward , guys!! 

Edited October 26, 2018 by Ksenia_O

[gregcrs2 1,778]

13 hours ago, PirateLiker said:

I am looking at flights for my fiance. I found one that has only 1.5 hours between her flight that first lands in America and the connection to my city. Am I correct in assuming this is not enough time? If not, how much time should I plan for her from when her plane lands at POE and when she connects to the next leg of the journey?

 

That is barely workable even in the best of situations.  We flew a few weeks ago from Kiev to Florida, with a connection in Paris and Atlanta.  Had a one hour delay leaving Paris.  Our scheduled layover in Atlanta was 2 hours.  Needless to say, we missed the connecting flight from Atlanta.  Couldn't get us on the next flight so we had to wait for the following flight which resulted in a 7 hour delay getting home.    So I would recommend at least a 3 hour layover.  We never fly a connection north of Atlanta in the Fall or Winter months due past experience with weather and congestion at the airports.

[Little_Vixen 1,869]

14 hours ago, PirateLiker said:

Thanks. This makes sense. I'll look for at least 4 hours. Chicago was the one for the flight in question. Other options will probably be New York or Washington Dulles

I had my POE at Chicago in August. Very friendly easy going CO. My entry interview took a whopping 5 minutes, lol. But I'm European and there's no red flags as far as im aware. Not sure where your partner is coming from (on mobile today so cant see your info) but some countries get scrutinized more thoroughly.

Anyway. After that lengthy ordeal all the passengers on my flight had to wait an hour and a half to get our luggage due to some kind of problem with the luggage system. So, plan ahead. I'd say at least 3 hours.

[CheeseMonstah 87]

International connections in Chicago means you'll have to change terminals. After that, you need to re-clear security, which can get long. Chicago, New York (JFK) are not the fastest airports for connections. Allow at the very least 2 hours (3 ideal).