I can now answer my own questions, or at least be one data point for them:

1. I was able to recheck my bags just after customs. The first agent I saw asked a supervisor at the counter and he was told it was fine. It helped that CX had already tagged my bags through to my final US destination.

2. So I went upstairs to the AA checkin counters. I got new boarding passes that said TSA Precheck on them. Then I asked if I could immediately get past security even though my flight was next morning at 5 am. The agent said no, then thought about it, then called a supervisor or the Admirals Club. The answer was still no. This was disappointing but expected. I thanked the agent for trying and started to think about going to Manhattan for a few hours. But then I had the idea to just try and go through security. The worst they could do is say no. I went up to the TSA agent (Precheck was closed already). I didn't say anything but just let him scan the boarding pass. To my surprise and amazement the scan didn't set off buzzers and alarms. It was accepted and the agent let me go on through security. I felt like a fugitive and an interloper. But I figured I would keep riding my luck as long as I could. I set off for the Flagship Lounge to see about the no longer moot question number 3....

3. And here I kept having good luck. They let me into the Flagship Lounge based on having arrived in CX First, having a connecting flight before 6 am the next day, AND having it all on the same itinerary. No comment was made about what the bleep I was doing airside the night before my next flight. And yes, I was also eligible for Flagship Dining. But I opted not to go yet. I had just had a good meal on the CX flight. The regular Flagship lounge buffet was quite good anyway. So I had a few light eats. I did find out that Flagship Dining closes earlier than the rest of the lounge. I went to check on it at about 10:30 and they were already closed. The rest of the lounge stays open until 1 am. So I had a shower and a good rest and caught up with online friends. I thought about maybe making a dash into Manhattan but I didn't want to press my luck on a so far very lucky night. So when the lounge closed I just went around to some other terminals. I actually walked all the way around JFK from T8 to T1 and back around. The Airtrain was shut down for maintenance, which also put me off from going into town.

4. Finally, I made it back to T8. TSA opened at 3:30 am. The lounges don't open until 4:15 so I had to kill some time. They had actually opened by about 4:10 and this ended up helping me a lot. I got back into the Flagship Lounge and sat down in Flagship Dining by about 4:13. Mind you, my flight was at 5 am at Gate 41 in the other concourse across the way. I went ahead and ordered Steak and Eggs. The waiter assured me it would be done in 15 minutes. It actually took more than 20. So when the food came at 4:35 I ate like crazy. Then I ran for the gate. I made it with about 5 minutes to spare. So it turned out to be possible to sit down and order a full breakfast and make the flight. But just barely. Flagship Dining is up and running at that time and the service was great.

Thanks for the update and the great story... you crazy interloper!!!

Anyone know the current status of the construction at JFK Terminal 7?

Departing from T7 on Iberia in a few days...wondering if I need to allow extra time due to construction.

I popped in here during the wee hours yesterday when I was killing time while airside areas were closed. The area close to the BA Premium checkin was a bit torn up. I think Iberia checks in over where ANA is. I didn't see any construction but it looks generally cramped for space.

Flew out of there on ANA about 45 days ago. Construction everywhere, but no extra time was needed. (Of course it was morning time, so it was no that busy.) It was right around the time Alaska reopened their lounge.

Thanks, everyone.

I do know that one of the BA lounges is closed for renovation, will be interesting.

Hi,

My memory of JFK flagship check-in is that you exit directly into the PreCheck line. If I'm travelling with somebody who's eligible for Flagship check-in, but doesn't have PreCheck, can they use the same security lane after Flagship check in?

Thanks

re T7 - the BA Galleries First lounge is currently closed for refurb and pax are being told to use the Galleries Club Lounge instead.

BA are advising of possible longer waits to clear security in the evening because of construction of new security area (also supposed to be a pre check lane as part of that as BA is now in pre)

So is Alaska

I'll be travelling from LHR-JFK-LAX (BA to AA) in August, all in First and have exactly 2 hours to transit in JFK (Land 4pm, Depart 6pm on Saturday 25th August). We will only have hand luggage and will be first off the plane, but I realise we are taking a risk if there is a delay or a large line at immigration. The plan is to head quickly to immigration, transfer to T8, flagship check-in (if needed, I assume we will have the boarding cards printed in London) and hope we make it.
Does being in First for both flights make any difference (other than being first off the plane) in case of delays or large lines at immigration? Any advice that might save a few minutes along the way?

Hello,

I'm traveling from ORD via JFK to LHR. ORD-JFK is on AA, whereas JFK-LHR is on BA, do I need to collect my bags at JFK's AA terminal and transfer them myself to the BA terminal, or will that transfer happen automatically? My layover in JFK is three hours.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

If these are one single ticket then AA will tag them through at ORD to LHR.

If separate tickets AA won't so in that case you'll have to collect then take the airtrain to T7 to check in with BA.