Making the most of layovers in PHL and JFK
Apr 29, 2015, 8:06 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
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Making the most of layovers in PHL and JFK
Hi everyone,
I'm doing a trip to Montreal and flying back from Toronto.
Both have layovers in the US.
Outbound: BRU - PHL - YUL (US Air)
Return: YYZ - JFK - LHR (AA)
I reckon I have about 1h30m of free time on every layover.
My questions:
Thanks!
I'm doing a trip to Montreal and flying back from Toronto.
Both have layovers in the US.
Outbound: BRU - PHL - YUL (US Air)
Return: YYZ - JFK - LHR (AA)
I reckon I have about 1h30m of free time on every layover.
My questions:
- What would be the best lounge to use in PHL, does anyone know in which terminal I will be arriving and where my connection to YUL will be? (OW Sapphire)
- What would be the best lounge to use in JFK, same question also regarding terminals?
- I presume on my outbound journey I have to clear immigration in the US even though I'm in transfer?
- What's the lounge situation like in Toronto for OW passengers. Any experiences?
Thanks!
Apr 29, 2015, 8:39 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: AA - Plat, HHonors - Diamond, IHG - Plat, Marriott - Gold, National - Exec, Amtrak - Select, NEXUS
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PHL - arrive in A-West, depart for YUL in F. You need to take the (airside) shuttle to F - walking would involve going in and out of landside terminals.
A-West has a large lounge. F has a small lounge on the 2nd Floor above the HUB. I would get to F ASAP and use the lounge there after arrival, if you have time after clearing US Customs & TSA. (Yes, you have to clear US CBP on arrival at PHL - the US doesn't recognize 'transit' as a concept.)
YYZ has an Admiral's Club in Terminal 3, after clearing US CBP Preclearance. That's your only choice - make a hard right after clearing CATSA security.
A-West has a large lounge. F has a small lounge on the 2nd Floor above the HUB. I would get to F ASAP and use the lounge there after arrival, if you have time after clearing US Customs & TSA. (Yes, you have to clear US CBP on arrival at PHL - the US doesn't recognize 'transit' as a concept.)
YYZ has an Admiral's Club in Terminal 3, after clearing US CBP Preclearance. That's your only choice - make a hard right after clearing CATSA security.
Apr 29, 2015, 8:39 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: NYC
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Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think on your YYZ-JFK leg you'll clear customs into the US while in Toronto. So you *should* have full access to the AA terminals (8/9) at JFK. Are you flying JFK-LHR on AA metal? (if so, why aren't you flying BA?!!!!).
If you're on AA metal, you'll have 2 AA Admirals' Club lounges to use in the terminal - one at Terminal 9 and one at Terminal 8. They're fine, but nothing special, and IIRC there are no other lounges there. If you're on BA metal to LHR, just go to the BA terminal and the BA lounges, they are much nicer than the AA lounges. But with 1h30m on the layover, I wouldn't trek to BA just for the lounge if you have to come back to the AA terminal for your LHR flight.
If you're on AA metal, you'll have 2 AA Admirals' Club lounges to use in the terminal - one at Terminal 9 and one at Terminal 8. They're fine, but nothing special, and IIRC there are no other lounges there. If you're on BA metal to LHR, just go to the BA terminal and the BA lounges, they are much nicer than the AA lounges. But with 1h30m on the layover, I wouldn't trek to BA just for the lounge if you have to come back to the AA terminal for your LHR flight.
Apr 29, 2015, 10:58 am
#4
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
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We have a thread in the pre-merger US forum dedicated to the Philly hub here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...a-airport.html
You'll want to see what gates your flights arrive and leave from. My guess is your BRU-PHL will arrive in the high As, while PHL-YUL could possibly leave from F (which requires a bus).
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...a-airport.html
You'll want to see what gates your flights arrive and leave from. My guess is your BRU-PHL will arrive in the high As, while PHL-YUL could possibly leave from F (which requires a bus).
Apr 29, 2015, 11:01 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Apr 29, 2015, 2:24 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: PHL, DFW & FLL/PBI
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Posts: 192
I ate too many maple cream cookies in the YYZ AC before. Couldn't help myself.
I agree with pa3lsvt, just make sure you get to F-terminal and hang out in that AC. It is small but better than the small waiting areas in F.
I agree with pa3lsvt, just make sure you get to F-terminal and hang out in that AC. It is small but better than the small waiting areas in F.
Apr 29, 2015, 3:51 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K, AA CK
Posts: 67
There is a Philadelphia Pretzel Factory in F at PHL. These are real soft pretzels not the buttered dinner rolls at Annie Anne's. Try the Philly CheeseSteak in a pretzel and grab a box of pretzels to go. Feel the brotherly love.
P
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