Transit time in JFK/EWR
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 81
Transit time in JFK/EWR
I'm flying from EDI to MSY. Looks like I'll have to transit in the US. Lots of the transit times seem rather short, though - e.g. United (in EWR) and Virgin/Delta (in JFK) both suggest transit times under 2hrs. One option with United suggests under 1hr to transit - which, unless things have really improved since I last got through TSA checks etc., seems incredibly optimistic. I'm not a US citizen and will have a checked bag.
These are tickets from EDI to MSY, bought direct from the airlines - are they being sensible with suggested 2hr transit times, or not? Presumably if I miss the planned connection I'm in for a wait/being put on the next available flight - any suggestions to mitigate this risk?
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. Please feel free to move/tell me to repost elsewhere, if so.
These are tickets from EDI to MSY, bought direct from the airlines - are they being sensible with suggested 2hr transit times, or not? Presumably if I miss the planned connection I'm in for a wait/being put on the next available flight - any suggestions to mitigate this risk?
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. Please feel free to move/tell me to repost elsewhere, if so.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,217
I can't imagine a <1 hr connection time is a legal connection. I personally would not be comfortable with anything under 2 hours. Also, I would book a connection with a carrier that has alternative flights to get you to MSY if you miss your connection.
#3
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
I'm flying from EDI to MSY. Looks like I'll have to transit in the US. Lots of the transit times seem rather short, though - e.g. United (in EWR) and Virgin/Delta (in JFK) both suggest transit times under 2hrs. One option with United suggests under 1hr to transit - which, unless things have really improved since I last got through TSA checks etc., seems incredibly optimistic. I'm not a US citizen and will have a checked bag.
These are tickets from EDI to MSY, bought direct from the airlines - are they being sensible with suggested 2hr transit times, or not? Presumably if I miss the planned connection I'm in for a wait/being put on the next available flight - any suggestions to mitigate this risk?
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. Please feel free to move/tell me to repost elsewhere, if so.
These are tickets from EDI to MSY, bought direct from the airlines - are they being sensible with suggested 2hr transit times, or not? Presumably if I miss the planned connection I'm in for a wait/being put on the next available flight - any suggestions to mitigate this risk?
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. Please feel free to move/tell me to repost elsewhere, if so.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 81
Thanks for the replies! I'm tempted to go for a United flight via EWR: options with just over 2hrs for transit; they also have another flight to MSY about 5hrs later if I miss the initial connection. Assuming I'm being realistic to hope they'd fit me on (I'm just flying economy, and don't have any loyalty status with them) if I don't make the connection?
@cestmoi123 These flights are in November, shown on the united.com site. I can try to work out how to include a followable/stable link, if useful.
@cestmoi123 These flights are in November, shown on the united.com site. I can try to work out how to include a followable/stable link, if useful.
#5
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Thanks for the replies! I'm tempted to go for a United flight via EWR: options with just over 2hrs for transit; they also have another flight to MSY about 5hrs later if I miss the initial connection. Assuming I'm being realistic to hope they'd fit me on (I'm just flying economy, and don't have any loyalty status with them) if I don't make the connection?
@cestmoi123 These flights are in November, shown on the united.com site. I can try to work out how to include a followable/stable link, if useful.
@cestmoi123 These flights are in November, shown on the united.com site. I can try to work out how to include a followable/stable link, if useful.
If your flight EDI-EWR is delayed, they'll get you on the later flight, assuming there's space.
I'd be curious about the shorter connection options you're seeing...
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
My inclination would be to book the later connection 904 on United - if an unlikely miracle occurs, you could always stand by for the earlier flight 1107.
The minimum connection time for international to domestic on United at EWR is 1 hour 30 minutes. But this in no way a recommendation or suggestion, it means that UA will commit to eventually getting you to your destination.
In your case, you must clear US immigration, wait for and then pick up the checked bag, clear US customs, redeposit your bag at the end of customs, make your way to the terminal of your second flight, then clear the domestic security screening.
The minimum connection time for international to domestic on United at EWR is 1 hour 30 minutes. But this in no way a recommendation or suggestion, it means that UA will commit to eventually getting you to your destination.
In your case, you must clear US immigration, wait for and then pick up the checked bag, clear US customs, redeposit your bag at the end of customs, make your way to the terminal of your second flight, then clear the domestic security screening.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 81
Thanks - decisions! I guess I need to decide between chancing a connection I might well miss (and then the possibility of there being no space on the next plane) and knowingly adding 5hrs to my journey by taking the later connection. Does making the UA 37 to UA 1107 connection fall under 'miracle' levels of unlikeliness, then?
It's a shame that all the affordable fares EDI to MSY seem to involve transit in the US. There are lots of things I love about visiting the country, but transiting through your airport screening etc. isn't one of them!
I can't find the flight with v short transit time now, but it's late here I'll post if I can find it tomorrow. It may have been a glitch that's now corrected, or I may have misread something, of course.
It's a shame that all the affordable fares EDI to MSY seem to involve transit in the US. There are lots of things I love about visiting the country, but transiting through your airport screening etc. isn't one of them!
I can't find the flight with v short transit time now, but it's late here I'll post if I can find it tomorrow. It may have been a glitch that's now corrected, or I may have misread something, of course.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,217
Thanks - decisions! I guess I need to decide between chancing a connection I might well miss (and then the possibility of there being no space on the next plane) and knowingly adding 5hrs to my journey by taking the later connection. Does making the UA 37 to UA 1107 connection fall under 'miracle' levels of unlikeliness, then?
It's a shame that all the affordable fares EDI to MSY seem to involve transit in the US. There are lots of things I love about visiting the country, but transiting through your airport screening etc. isn't one of them!
I can't find the flight with v short transit time now, but it's late here I'll post if I can find it tomorrow. It may have been a glitch that's now corrected, or I may have misread something, of course.
It's a shame that all the affordable fares EDI to MSY seem to involve transit in the US. There are lots of things I love about visiting the country, but transiting through your airport screening etc. isn't one of them!
I can't find the flight with v short transit time now, but it's late here I'll post if I can find it tomorrow. It may have been a glitch that's now corrected, or I may have misread something, of course.
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
I think a 2 hour connection is fine. I also believe in booking what you want to fly and if things go pear-shaped then finding the alternative rather than purposefully booking the "worse" experience and hoping things go better along the way.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
Adding four to five hours is not ideal, but it can be viewed as "hassle insurance".
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
These are "connections" not "transits" (an important distinction in case you are delayed). The 2 hours is within MCT, but not SCT (Sensible Connect Time) for a non-US National with checked luggage, without Global Entry, and flying in Y without status.
One thing to remember is that US carriers generally permit same day change (not merely standby) and as you will need to claim your bag at JFK/EWR, instead of dropping it, you can recheck and change to the earlier flight, you are far better off booking the later flight in a comfortable seat and then seeing what there is on arrival at NYC.
Bear in mind that not only may there be no availability, but that can be a longish flight if you are stuck in a middle seat in the rear of the aircraft. So, having options is a good thing.
One thing to remember is that US carriers generally permit same day change (not merely standby) and as you will need to claim your bag at JFK/EWR, instead of dropping it, you can recheck and change to the earlier flight, you are far better off booking the later flight in a comfortable seat and then seeing what there is on arrival at NYC.
Bear in mind that not only may there be no availability, but that can be a longish flight if you are stuck in a middle seat in the rear of the aircraft. So, having options is a good thing.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,217
One thing to remember is that US carriers generally permit same day change (not merely standby) and as you will need to claim your bag at JFK/EWR, instead of dropping it, you can recheck and change to the earlier flight, you are far better off booking the later flight in a comfortable seat and then seeing what there is on arrival at NYC.
You can see there is a difference of opinion on this matter among the "experts" (a phrase I use very, very loosely!). A couple of us advocate booking the flight you want; a couple of others advocate booking the later flight. You have to decide how risk averse you are and consider what the consequences are if your plans go sideways.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 81
Thanks! If all does go sideways it's not catastrophic - I'm not flying with kids or anything, and don't have any commitments I *need* to make until the Weds (I'm due to arrive on the Monday). I'm not that bothered about a stint in an uncomfy seat, but it would be pretty rubbish to end up overnighting in an airport/on a plane rather than New Orleans. If time is tight, would United help me make the connection, or should I expect to be on my own?
Good point about indirect flights I might be switched to, too. I'll weigh up the 4/5hrs extra 'hassle insurance' vs the risk of missing my connection. My gut feeling is an uncomfortable follow-on flight isn't such a big deal, but not getting to MSY that night would be a real pain.
Good point about indirect flights I might be switched to, too. I'll weigh up the 4/5hrs extra 'hassle insurance' vs the risk of missing my connection. My gut feeling is an uncomfortable follow-on flight isn't such a big deal, but not getting to MSY that night would be a real pain.
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
I just don't see 2+ hours as "super-tight" anywhere but maybe I:I in China. At 90 minutes for EWR/JFK I'd raise questions. But over 2 hours not so much.