Nov 19, 2015, 10:20 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: JDiver

Guide to JFK / New York City John F. Kennedy International Airport - Connection, MCT, etc.

Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.

Quote:

Check-in times as of March 2016 Link

In most locations, you must be checked in:

At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States

At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to or from airports outside of the United States

If you’re beginning travel from any of the airports below, the check-in time is longer:

Departing from: Check-in must be completed by:
(minutes before scheduled departure time)

Caracas, Venezuela (CCS) 90 minutes
Dublin, Ireland (DUB) 75 minutes
Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) 75 minutes
Maracaibo, Venezuela (MAR) 90 minutes
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (STT) 90 minutes

Link to JFK / New York airport website

Link to aa.com JFK / New York airport page

Quote:

Ticket counters
Main Terminal 8
Daily: 3:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Peculiarities: JFK is a congested airport that can be affected by winter storms or very heavy air traffic, with congested air space including EWR, JFK, LGA. Knock-on effects during lengthy IROPS can manifest themselves systemwide. Terminals transfers are almost entirely landside, using the free airport "AirTrain" trains. Note: JFK finished Runway 4 Left - 22 Right runway renewal at the end of September of 2015.

Quote:

Note: Jan 2016 TSA reps stated TSA PreCheck for Terminal 8 will be closed in the mornings and only open in the afternoons.

JFK Airport Map

American Airlines Terminal 8 Map

AA Minimum Connecting Times (MCT) at JFK
(currently incomplete)

I EY-AA: 2 hours (post 543)

Storage at JFK
Storage available by Arrivals in Terminals 1, 4, 8. See website for prices, locations, and times.

WARNING: WRONG INFORMATION AHEAD

Quote:

UNDER CONSTRUCTION - INCORRECT INFORMATION AHEAD

Admirals Clubs:

Dining, Shopping

On-Airport hotels:

Currency exchange:

WiFi / wireless service:

Device Power Charging:

Smoking: No smoking in terminals

Rental cars:
[INDENT]Arriving Passengers:

Departing Passengers:

Animal Relief Areas:

Parking

Disability Parking: see

Cell phone lot ()

Local transportation

Public transport

Metro

Shared Vans:

Taxi:

Is there anything to do at (airport)?

Do I have time to go to (town)?

Contributors to this thread include: handle;

Quote:

Other resources

Link to AA Flyer Guide wiki: Minimum Connecting Times

Link to AA Lounge Dashboard (guide to AA and other lounges)

Link to FlyerTalk city guide?

Updated (date) - (updated)

Operating terminals and gates

AA operates flights out of terminals .... (US and Alaska)[/hl].

ETC. UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Terminal A is the old international terminal, used for domestic flights (see TRIP note)

Terminal B is usually used for regional (American Eagle branded) flights (see TRIP note)

Terminal C is usually used for domestic flights

Terminal D is the international terminal; most AA international flights depart here, as well as all partner and Lufthansa international flights

Terminal E is used currently by *US and Alaska (and others) (see TRIP note)

* may be subject to change

[IMG]insert airport terminal graphic link[/IMG]
DFW American Airlines Terminals Map:

Getting from concourse to concourse

Landside, one can use the terminal link blue and green vans (see below), but it's faster and easier to use skylink.

Airside elevated bidirectional Sky Link is the easiest way to get around

bi-directional system connects all five terminals and is the shortest route to your stop while inside of security.

Free service

Trains arrive every two minutes

Average ride time of five minutes

Maximum ride time of nine minutes between farthest points

Easy access to other terminals’ shops and restaurants

Station escalator/elevator locations:
Terminal A: Between A13 and A16 and between A29 and A34

Terminal B: Between B9 and B12 and between B28 and B31

Terminal C: Between C8 and C12 and between C27 and C32

Terminal D: Between D11 and D20 and between D24 and D34

Terminal E: Between E8 and E11 and between E31 and E32

Walking between terminals

A-C and B-D (international) are connected at the ends by departures level walkways; the people mover belts on these walkways have been out of service at least for months. Estimate a five to ten minute walk between A and C, B and D.

A and B are connected by overhead walkways (escalator or lift / elevator). This walkway is serviced by people mover belts.

C and D (international) are connected by overhead walkways (escalator or lift / elevator). This walkway is serviced by people mover belts.

There is no need to leave the secure area to move from one concourse to another. *Exceptions are arriving international flights. In such case one has to clear immigration and customs, reclaim bags and proceed through security. Keep in mind that if you purchased any liquids on the plane (duty free) you will have to follow the 3-1-1 rule and even check the bottles.

Landside free interterminal transportation

Terminal Link's blue and greens vans arrive every 10 minutes and will transfer you between all terminals once outside of security.

Free service

No ticket or pass of any kind is needed to board

Service available between 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

To request van pick-up between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m., call 972 574 LINK (5465)

All vans are wheelchair accessible

Two easy-to-locate green pick-up/drop-off areas are located outside baggage claim areas of each terminal. Follow the Terminal Link signs to reach the nearest pick-up/drop-off area:

Terminal A
Entry A10 serving Gates A1-18
Entry A24 serving Gates A18-39
Terminal B
Entry B12 serving Gates B12-B25
Entry B25 serving Gates B25-B49
Terminal C
Entry C12 serving Gates 1-14
Entry C24 serving Gates 15-25
Terminal D
Entry at Lower Level D17 serving Gates D1-D22
Entry at Lower Level D24 serving Gates D23-D40
Terminal E
Entry E7 serving Gates E1-E10
Entry E31 serving Gates E31-34

Check-in and ticketing at DFW and check in times Link

Flagship Check-in: NO

Minimum time for checking in and arriving at the gate

To better ensure an on-time departure, our goal is to close the jetbridge door 10 minutes before departure time. This allows all customers to board and stow their belongings. (AA may release your seat if you show up at your gates less than fifteen minutes prior to scheduled departure.)

To retain your pre-reserved seat on a confirmed flight, make sure to follow the minimum check in and gate arrival times.*

For flights within and between the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands:

Minimum check-in is at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure in most locations

Arrive at the gate and be ready to board at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure

For flights originating outside the U.S. or flights departing the U.S. for an international destination:

Minimum check-in is at least 60 minutes before scheduled departure except in Buenos Aires, Dublin and Maracaibo, Venezuela

Arrive at the gate and be ready to board at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure

Minimum time to check baggage

To help us get your bag on the same flight with you, present your bag to an airline representative for check-in no later than the cutoff time.

For flights within and between the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands:

Check bags at least 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure at DFW
For flights departing the U.S. for an international destination:

Check bags at least 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure
Time to baggage delivery: minimum 20 minutes

AA Ticket counters Link

Terminal A
A8 - A15: full service and self-service check-in Daily: 4 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
A16 - A23: full service and self-service check-in Daily: 4:30 a.m. - 10:15 p.m.
Terminal B
B20 Daily: 5 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
B30 Daily: 5 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Terminal C
C2 - C15: self-service check-in Daily: 4 a.m. - 8:45 p.m.
C16 - C25: Full service and self-service check-in Daily: 4 a.m. - 10:15 p.m.
C26 - C39: Self-service check-in Daily: 4 a.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Terminal D
D1 - D18: Self-service check-in Daily: 4 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
D20 - D40: Full service and self-service check-in Daily: 4 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Terminal E (US Airways)
Daily: 3:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Security at DFW

Link to DFW Airport Security information (including checkpoints and hours))

Note: coming out from immigration and customs, you may find yourself near the D22 and possible lengthy queues through TSA security. As swag says in a post, "D has multiple checkpoints, all easily walkable, and any ticketed passenger can use any one of them. If you find yourself facing a long line at D22, it may be worthwhile to walk down to D18 or D30.

Link to AA Flyer Guide wiki DFW Security

PriorityAAccess lines available at Terminals A, C and D.

Minimum and reasonable connection and check-in times at DFW

Q. What are minimum check-in time requirements at DFW?

AA suggests arriving a minimum of one hour prior to demostic departures if departing domestically (including Hawai'i, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands) if one has no baggage to check; ninety minutes if one must check baggage; and two hours prior to international departures.

Additionally, AA requires passengers be checked in at least 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure at DFW and "Arrive at the gate and be ready to board at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure" (sic).

Q. What is the domestic to domestic or to international Minimum Connection Time (MCT)?

The minimum connect time at DFW, domestic to domestic or international, is 0:40 minutes. International to domestic or international is comfortably done in 2:00 or longer (not the official MCT).

Q. If I am making an international to international connection, what is the process?

There is no international transit process in nearly all airports in the USA (MIA has a baggage exception for international to international). Arriving internationally, unless you have been pre-cleared, you must proceed through U. S. immigration (there are kiosks and a fast channel for Global Entry approved passengers), recover your baggage from the baggage carousel and proceed through U. S. Customs. There is a "green line" shortcut for passengers traveling only with carry-on baggage (no checked luggage) and there are Global Entry kiosks and Scott cut to Global Entry queues.

Upon exiting Customs there is a bag drop facility; drop your checked baggage, exit to the landside arrivals area.

Proceed to the kiosks to get boarding passes for your ongoing travel, then proceed through TSA security to airside (see the "DFW Security" section). Your international departure will be from Terminal D, also your international arrival terminal.

See DFW / Dallas Ft. Worth Connection & Times - Domestic & International (consolidated)[/quote]

DFW dining, services and shopping

Lounges: please see the Lounge Dashboard "sticky" for further lounges information at DFW

Admirals Clubs:
Terminal A: Admirals Club across from gate A-24

Terminal B: Admirals Club Service Center across from gates B5 and 6

Terminal C: Admirals Club across from gates C-19 and20

Terminal D: Admirals Club, and new Premium lounge near gate D-23; Centurion Lounge take lift opposite gate D-17

Terminal E: Delta Sky Club / Priority Pass

Dining, Shopping Link to DFW services, dining guide and interactive map

On-Airport hotels:

Grand Hyatt DFW (landside, Terminal D)

Hyatt Regency DFW (landside, Terminal C)

Minute Suites (hourly rental private suites) - D23
AA Employee Store: Link: (open to the public) Shop for AA ware, baggage, memorabilia, etc. at Gate C-2

Currency exchange: Travelex at D11, D22 (Outside Security), D24, D36, E8, Intl Re-Check.

WiFi / wireless service: Free AT&T Wireless Hot Spot throughout airport

Device Power Charging:
DFW Airport Travel Lounge - B28, C8, C27, E8
Free Power Stations - A10, C6, C20, C27, C35, D21, D23, D30, D40, E10, E37
Guest Services Center - B14
Smoking: No smoking in terminals other than
Terminal A Admirals Club smoking room D Club smoking room is closed)
Rental cars: The Rental Car Center is located at 2424 E. 38th St, DFW Airport, TX, near the south entrance of the Airport and is served by 10 companies. Link.

Arriving Passengers: After collecting your baggage, follow the Rental Car signs to the designated pick-up area on the lower level of the terminal. From there, board the Rental Car shuttle bus. Buses run 24 hours a day, depart every five minutes and reach the Rental Car Center in approximately 10 minutes.

Departing Passengers: Before your departing flight, please return your vehicle at the Rental Car Center. For transportation from the facility to your terminal, board the Rental Car Shuttle. The Rental Car Shuttle runs 24 hours a day and departs every five minutes from the facility.
Animal Relief Areas:

Terminal A: Lower level grassy areas.

Terminal B: Lower level grassy areas.

Terminal C: Lower level grassy areas.

Terminal D: Lower level, outside the D30/D31 baggage claim area by the parking garage and at D18.

DFW Parking

There are Valet, Terminal, Express and Remote parking options. See here for options, pricing and interactive guides.

Disability Parking: see Link

Cell phone lot (none)

DFW transportation

Public transport

Metro

DART Orangle Line to Dallas. Take rom entry near Terminal A, A-10

TRE / Trinity Rail Express to Dallas and Ct. Worth. NO SERVICE SUNDAYS. Take free bus to Remote south Parking; take connecting bus to CentrePort/DFW Airport station.
Shared Vans:

City Shuttle, L.L.C. shared van service 1.240.760.1998

Go Yellow Checker Airport Shuttle shared vans to Ft. Worth hotels. Board at upper level roadway marked areas.

SuperShuttle shared van service 972.456.3128
Taxi: at every terminal; see DFW Taxi Guide for prices, etc.

Is there anything to do at DFW?

You can visit the

C. R. Smith Museum (AA history, DC-3 Flagship Detroit, gift shop)
4601 Texas HWY 360 at FAA Rd
Fort Worth, Texas 76155
817-967-1560
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 9:00-5:00, Sunday 1:00 - 5:00; Closed Monday
Cost: $7.00, $4.00 seniors 65 or +, students w/ ID, children 2-17, military
Getting there: taxi; (unofficial: take crew shuttle if space available to Conference and Training a Center, get dropped at the Museum). See FT DFW and the AA / C. R. Smith Museum in Dallas (consolidated)

Do I have time to go to Dallas?

A minimum of six hours would be suggested for "going to town".

Contributors to this thread include: aamilesslave;

Last updated: 17 August 2015 (JDiver)

Quote:

Other resources

Link to AA FAQ: Will I make my connection?

Link to AA Flyer Guide wiki: Minimum Connecting Times

Link to AA Lounge Dashboard (guide to AA and other lounges)

Link: to DFW connection guide in Texas forum

Link: to DFW layover guide in Texas Forum

Link: to DFW Employee Store (open to the public) Shop for AA ware, baggage, memorabilia, etc. at Gate C-2

Updated 7 Sep 2015 - JDiver
Updated 6 Feb 2016 - hartlogan - redacated all DFW info to eliminate confusion

[Archived] AA Guide: JFK / New York JFK Int Airport, MCT / Connection (pre-2016)

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Jul 25, 2010, 10:36 am

#76

SAN-man

Join Date: May 2004

Location: SAN

Programs: AA EXP/LT Plat (4 MM), SPG LT Plat (Bonvoy doesn’t exist to me), HH Diamond via cc, Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 1,713

Quote:

Originally Posted by eolesen

Other than a connector between T2 & T3 (all Delta), there are no secure connections between terminals at JFK. It's a moot point for most customers, since if you arrive internationally, you have to re-clear security because you've had access to your (or someone else's) checked luggage in order to clear Customs.

But it can be annoying in the reverse. I've done SAN-JFK-MAD, and it was a hassle to get to the IB flight. With more people presumably connecting in JFK to BA and IB in the near future, the problem will get worse until either BA moves into AA's terminal (which I think MAH has said is happening) or they figure out an airside transfer.

Jul 25, 2010, 10:43 am

#77

ESpen36

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: May 2002

Location: NYC, USA

Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold

Posts: 10,967

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDiver

Swiss contractor? So, it's not Bombardier Inc BBD.B (TSX) of Canada?

Sorry, my mistake, it is a German company, not Swiss. Bombardier Transportation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_Transportation

Jul 25, 2010, 1:18 pm

#78

Blumie

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2003

Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH

Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD

Posts: 17,248

Quote:

Originally Posted by audio-nut

How did you get across the JFK expressway?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ijgordon

I've been wondering about this for a while. Never got the report back from a November 2009 attempt in that thread, although I guess the post #10 in this thread from back in February could serve as admission that it's not currently a viable walk.

I did try to walk T8 to T7; you are right that it is not currently doable, although I know I had done so in the past. I think the ramp (now gone) to the old T8 must have somehow allowed one to cross the expressway.

Jul 25, 2010, 1:42 pm

#79

Microwave

Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures

Join Date: Jan 2008

Location: London, England

Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus

Posts: 9,765

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESpen36

The transfer at T1 to get over to T8 quickly is well known. I just did it about an hour ago. However, sometimes it doesn't work. For example, last weekend, track 2 was out of service on Sunday morning for maintenance, so I had to take the Howard Beach train all the way around to all the terminals.

There doesn't seem to be a clear pattern to when the inner loop is out of service or operating in an irregular manner.

What I did was take the Jamaica train to T1, then hop off and wait on the other track. The track was in service, trains were running, and there wasn't an abnormal wait. When I got on, it then took the long way round, via T2-3, T4, etc. So while it may be well known, it doesn't appear to be consistently operating in that direction.

Jul 25, 2010, 1:52 pm

#80

ESpen36

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Join Date: May 2002

Location: NYC, USA

Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold

Posts: 10,967

Quote:

Originally Posted by Microwave

That is unusual. Who knows! Could have been anything. (I once tried to ask the red-coated Bombardier employees in the stations about these service irregularities so I could allow extra time...they said they don't know anything about the operations, they just direct people to which train to board.)

Jul 25, 2010, 3:46 pm

#81

NYC1K

Join Date: Jul 2005

Location: East Coast

Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, AA Lifetime Platinum, Delta PM, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond

Posts: 1,522

Quote:

Originally Posted by Microwave

Simple advise: Alway make sure you listen to the automated voice comm on the train announcing the next stop before hopping on. I almost made the mistake last week while talking on my cell when I noticed the announcement for Lefferd BLVD and Jamaica Station.

Jul 25, 2010, 10:29 pm

#82

ijgordon

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Apr 2001

Location: NYC

Posts: 27,231

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blumie

OK, thanks for the update, good to know.

Aug 4, 2010, 3:16 am

#83

bagold

Join Date: Oct 1999

Location: Don't know....

Programs: BA LTG, SQ TPPS, CX DMP, AA EXP, Bonvoy LTT, ALL PLT, Hilton DM

Posts: 4,010

JFK AA-to-CX Transit time?

My agent is telling me the official transit time is now 3 hours.

Right now my mom & grandparents are flying RDU-JFK on AA on one ticket. Then connect to JFK-HKG on CX on another ticket. Transit time is 2 hours 40 minutes. Normally, I'm not worried but I can't afford for something to go wrong for them as they are very old and will really suffer if they mis-connect.

Will the RDU agent say they CANNOT check through the bags to CX because the connection time is below the allowable 3 hours?

Aug 4, 2010, 4:30 am

#84

altaskier

Join Date: Jan 2006

Location: Chicago, IL

Programs: AA EXP 3MM

Posts: 496

I don't know about rules on baggage check-through, but you should perhaps call American and see if the two tickets can be somehow linked.

If all goes well, 2 hours 40 minutes is fine, but if they have to wait for luggage, and there are delays...

If they've not been through JFK before, you should give them this map. American is at Terminal 8, while Cathay is at Terminal 7. They should follow signs to the AirTrain station, and take the free Airline Terminals Train (NOT the train to Jamaica or Howard Beach!!!) one stop to get to Terminal 7. The Airline Terminals Train runs clockwise while the Jamaica/Howard Beach train runs counter-clockwise. If they are unsure, there's usually an AirTrain person wearing a red jacket who will point them in the right direction.

Of course they'll have to check in with Cathay Pacific and go through security in Terminal 7.

Aug 4, 2010, 8:10 am

#85

JJeffrey

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Location: RDU <|> MMX

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Posts: 12,466

Quote:

Originally Posted by bagold

Will the RDU agent say they CANNOT check through the bags to CX because the connection time is below the allowable 3 hours?

I've done seperate tickets like this out of RDU many times without problems. I've never seen the check-in agents try to verify the connecting time of the 2nd ticket. All of my connections have been in the 2-3 hr. range at LHR, FRA, BRU, etc. I couldn't imagine the agents keeping up with every single legal connection time that's out there, such as AA to LH at FRA, or AA to SK at BRU.

Just make sure they have a good printout of the CX itinerary/ticket and they should be on their way.

Also, since everything is oneworld, ask the RDU agent if they can also check them in and issue BP's for their CX flight. Never had a problem getting my BA boarding pass in RDU flying say AA RDU-LHR on 1 ticket connecting to BA LHR-CPH on another ticket.

Aug 4, 2010, 1:21 pm

#86

bzcat

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: LAX

Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat

Posts: 2,406

I have a reservation next week for LAX-JFK-LHR on the same ticket and transit time of 1:30 at JFK... AA's reservation system didn't flag it so I assume it is ok (also not switching terminals so that helps).

3 hour minimum transit time seems excessive... but it could be the stated rule for domestic-international transit with different airlines at JFK. Still, I would think the ground staff at RDU should be able to check bags thru to HKG.

Aug 4, 2010, 1:28 pm

#87

ty97

Join Date: May 2008

Location: NYC

Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM

Posts: 4,514

Quote:

Originally Posted by bzcat

The OP has the added factor that s/he is transferring airlines (AA/CX) and terminals (Terminal 8/Terminal 7). The rules there are likely different than AA/AA transfers.

Aug 4, 2010, 7:05 pm

#88

dstan

Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2007

Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC

Posts: 10,855

A new consolidated thread for JFK connections has now been created. Please see the OP for general information.

/Moderator

Oct 12, 2010, 10:15 am

#89

ma91pmh

Join Date: Aug 2009

Location: RDU

Programs: A few

Posts: 5,499

Does anyone know the official MCT for connecting domestic to international between T8 and T7? I read through the wiki and entire thread but could not find it. I am looking at a potential one hour connection for the morning LHR run (RDU-JFK AA, JFK-LHR BA). One hour is tight as hell I know but typically that early RDU flight gets in 20-30 minutes ahead of schedule, and we'd be flying in J class so could use the expedited security line at T7. Just not sure I could even book it

Oct 12, 2010, 10:29 am

#90

JY1024

Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz

Join Date: Nov 2007

Location: BOS

Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium

Posts: 10,417

Quote:

Originally Posted by ma91pmh

For MCT for itineraries with partner airlines, I always just call the EXP desk to check for the most recent info.

1-hour does seem tight, but it's doable if you walk quickly and use the fast First Class security line at T7. (As you know, the Eagle gates at JFK are waaay at the end opposite of the terminal from the AirTrain station.) Personally, I think my fastest time is just about 30 min to get off my BOS-JFK Eagle flight and make it into the BA F lounge in T7.