Originally Posted by
fajimenez
Hello,
I have an itinerary on 04-JUL connecting from VS127 (MAN-JFK) to AA2580 (JFK-CLT).
US Citizen.
Virgin flight arrives 16:40 to T4, but can be early. We'll be sitting right by door #2 in premium economy, so hopefully can be among the first off the plane.
AA2580 departs from T8 at 19:00.
It goes without saying that the AA flight is the last of the night, and almost always leaves on-time to early.
Is 2:20 enough time?
Just to make matters worse, I might have a checked bag.
Besides downloading the mobile passport app is there anything else within reason that I can do to improve my chances? I don't think I have enough time to apply and receive Global Entry or TSA-Pre at this point.
Thank you for your time.
The silly answer is if you make it, it was enough time.
You need four things to make this work...
On time arrival.
Short customs lines.
Quick bag claim.
Short security lines.
Being relatively conservative...
1. Arrival is up to the airline gods and the weather. Last few days the flight has arrived up to 1 hour early. Good for those flights. A warning sign because it shows how much they pad the flight overall because of delays. Assume you arrive on time. Head out of the plane and get to customs ASAP. It is amazing what 5 minutes can do to those lines.
2. I would still apply for Global Entry/Pre-Check. Maybe you can get it done in time. If you can, you boost your odds greatly. If not, check the customs and security lines at those times at the TSA site. JFK can have huge customs delays. The app will help. 100% use Automated Passport Control. If you are eligible, this will cut your time significantly. (Assume 30-60 minutes to clear customs from the time you get off the plane assuming you are not using APC or GE.)
3. Bag Claim. Assume 30 minutes at a minimum for this. But this runs concurrent with customs, so no extra time beyond the 60.
4. Switching terminals and check-in. Should be able to do this in 20 minutes. 30 minutes if you need to check a bag, which I assume you do. Use online check-in to speed it up.
5. Security. Unless something is out of whack, no more than 30 minutes needed in regular security. If you can use priority it will save 10-20 minutes. Remember - a lot of credit cards get you access to the premium line.
6. 10-15 minutes to get to the gate.
So even being relatively conservative, within 2 hours you should be at your gate. So you would just make it. Arrive early, short customs/bag claim/security and you are at your gate 1 hour before boarding. Arrive late/long customs or security and you have a night out in NYC or a long drive to Charlotte.
Please report back.