Speculation: Will AA continue to pull back in NYC?
Apr 25, 2019, 10:59 am
#781
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin, TX - AUS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott
Posts: 1,625
are you talking about JFK T8? Because I've found immigration in the afternoon to be fairly quick, even with multiple 777s arriving. The bags were a different story, but still not excessive. Maybe I've been lucky??
But I think you may be thinking of a T7 to T8 international to domestic connection, bc I have never needed to use the AirTrain to connect from an AA to AA flight.
But I think you may be thinking of a T7 to T8 international to domestic connection, bc I have never needed to use the AirTrain to connect from an AA to AA flight.
Apr 25, 2019, 11:28 am
#782
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,221
I was on a DL to DL itinerary, T4 to T2 connection. Granted, connecting within the same terminal at JFK is quicker than changing terminals. My experience doing an international to domestic connection at JFK is just one data point, but I think it debunks some people's theories that connecting at JFK is always preferable to PHL. Definitely a YMMV situation.
Regardless, in most cases you should know whether or not you'll have to change terminals. Obviously AA-to-AA at JFK is pretty easy.
Apr 25, 2019, 12:03 pm
#783
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
I don't fly through PHL that frequently since I'm NYC-based, but my few experiences at Customs and Immigration there have been much worse with much longer lines than I've ever seen at JFK T8.
Apr 25, 2019, 1:04 pm
#784
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA EXP 1.0mm, not sure where I am with hotels these days
Posts: 2,795
JFK is even worse, especially for International to domestic connections. 1+ hour lines in immigration at 5am (I can't imagine the afternoon when many flights from Europe arrive). Then a long walk with vague signage to the AirTrain. I had a much better experience at PHL - not much of a wait in immigration at 2pm (when multiple Europe flights arrive) and no need to take a train to my domestic connection.
JFK also has rude employees
JFK also has rude employees
Apr 26, 2019, 6:36 pm
#785
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: ORD / MDW / FLL
Programs: DL DM/1MM, AA EXP, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,295
Global Entry will fix that. Even during rush hour at ORD I am through in less then 2 minutes.
Apr 26, 2019, 7:10 pm
#786
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
In my situation about 15 intl flights arrived within thirty minutes.
Apr 27, 2019, 7:50 am
#787
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
Apr 27, 2019, 8:07 pm
#788
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: ORD / MDW / FLL
Programs: DL DM/1MM, AA EXP, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,295
Every time I've flown through PHL I am in and out of Immigration and Customs in less than 5 minutes so I can't say I've shared your experience. My least pleasant experiences have been at MIA.
Apr 27, 2019, 8:09 pm
#789
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: ORD / MDW / FLL
Programs: DL DM/1MM, AA EXP, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,295
ORD... Only if customs hall is not at capacity. I have been held in the hallways and they refused to let people into the central immigration hall due to overcrowding. That is despite having global entry.
In my situation about 15 intl flights arrived within thirty minutes.
In my situation about 15 intl flights arrived within thirty minutes.
Apr 27, 2019, 10:22 pm
#790
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
In my case I was on the CX flight.
Last edited by golfingboy; Apr 27, 2019 at 10:43 pm
Apr 29, 2019, 2:38 pm
#792
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC, BOS, ORD
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM
Posts: 843
Apr 29, 2019, 3:12 pm
#793
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Apr 29, 2019, 6:14 pm
#794
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: WAS/NYC/LON
Programs: AA EXP, HH DIA, Hyatt DIA
Posts: 286
I've had the unfortunate luck with needing these D9X gates recently ... I would call it worse than 35X.
Though, the new A gate part of the terminal is definitely much nicer than anywhere else in LGA. I've only been on AA flights to Canada from there, not sure what else tends to be based on that side.
Though, the new A gate part of the terminal is definitely much nicer than anywhere else in LGA. I've only been on AA flights to Canada from there, not sure what else tends to be based on that side.
Apr 30, 2019, 5:53 am
#795
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC, BOS, ORD
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM
Posts: 843
35X was designed like that and just got out of control over the years... D9X is at least a temporary fix / was only added within the last year or two to accommodate construction. Both should be going away in ~2021 (still a long way off).
