JFK Arrivals
 

hi

sorry I have searched for this topic but surprisingly I can’t find a thread on it.

We fly LHR - JFK T7 in J and I wondered if there is any fast track arrivals procedure for BA Business class customers?

many thanks

No. There is no fast track immigration anywhere in the US unless you hold GE status. To be clear, premium cabins get no preferential treatment.

Not even F?

No, absolutely none. This is the same for all airlines. Only "Global Entry" gives you any priority.

Being in a premium cabin (F/J) can be helpful in some circumstances, as it allows you to be first off the plane and (if you walk fast) first into the immigration queue. Sometimes this works great if there are no other international arrivals around the same time - like the late flight into Boston, the BA flight into Austin etc. At JFK at peak time, it won't make any difference.

Preferential treatment at immigration based on a fee paid or class of service traveled is illegal in the US.

If you are returning on an ESTA you can use the APC kiosks which are still much quicker than queuing up at the desk. If you plan to travel multiple times a year to the USA then look into Global Entry.

Neither of these help if you are checking a bag to JFK as you just get to wait longer by the baggage reclaim belt.

Globla entry is your only option of a 'fasttrack'. However, even if you get through quickly my 'priority' checked bags are usually last off the plane. So only and advantage with carry on only.

The only immigration priority you can get is via GE - and fantastic proposition and worth every penny.

You are mentioning returning on an ESTA. I just applied for a new ESTA since the old one was expired. But it is the same passport I used on the previous ESTA. So this means I cannot use the kiosks at JFK when I arrive in end of March to T8? But I will be going back to the US in April on the same ESTA to ORD, then I can use the APC kiosks there (if they have it?)

How long is the waiting time for luggage at JFK? I will be arriving in T8 with AA from LHR in C class. Just roughly estimate and priority tags on luggage also does not matter with AA?

I'd also point out that if you use the Mobile Pass App; there is a dedicated queue for just it at JFK; that's about as expedited outside of GE you will get.

mobile pass app is only for US citizens with a US passport, or Canadian citizens on certain visas so may not apply for the OP.

New ESTA on the same passport meets the "Returning ESTA" requirement so you can use the APC kiosks for both of these journeys.

Arriving internationally in the USA I always wait over 30 minutes for my luggage for reasons I don't understand, other luggage does appear before mine though. Twice last year at JFK it was closer to an hour.

Thanks. Then part of me is glad that I didn't choose F for my next LHR-JFK. I remember the Special Services escort through immigration last time, which was very welcome.