MiraculousM

Good afternoon all

I just had a couple of questiions. I just got back from a trip to nyc and i was wondering about a couple of things. I flew BA.

1. When landing into JFK, i was under the impression that we would be using the machines to clear customs as UK nationals.. We did not. We had to stand in that awful line in the dreadful hall that is like a sauna and it was terrible. We evidently turned up during everyones lunch break, because at one point there was only one agent dealing with the whole of the non US passengers of the plane. It took onwards of 3 hours for me to leave. It has never been that bad in JFK but are the automated machines no longer in use?

2. I flew out of Newark. I didn’t think that JFK could be beat as a terrible airport but Newark bit the biscuit. One restaurant, one shop and one news stand. All were more overpriced than usual. All BA flights seemed to be departing from there and i was wondering if this was where they always left from (i left B54)? If I were to fly out of Newark again on BA, would I be able to take food with me through security?

CarefreeBA

I'm sure there are more frequent visitors of JFK T7 here, last time (March 2019) I flew into JFK, the machines were signposted 'for US citizens only'.

ajeleonard

Automated Passport Control kiosks offline at JFK T7

Thread should be moved as not BA specific

MiraculousM

Actually it is.

Brisbane Road

Can I help you

Badenoch

Two words: Global Entry. JFK is a prime example of why you should have it. MIA and LAX too depending on the day.

corporate-wage-slave

To answer your second point, USA airports aren't all up to European levels of shopping or food experiences, and so the options airside can be quite limited. There are plenty of exception (Charlotte for example). The Newark gates used by BA have a few options, but not many, you aren't going have the span of the Boots meal deal/ sushi / caviar range of T3 or T5. However you can take food through security, so long as it doesn't fall foul of the liquids issue. So no to yogurt, yes to sandwiches, fruit, salads and what not. Small sauce packs can go in your liquids bag. And all USA airport have good water fountain provisions, so just bring an empty bottle with you.

Departing from JFK is better than arriving unless Global Entry. The terminal is past its use-by date and will be demolished in a few years.

bosman

Now you know how I (US national w/o Global Entry) feel upon arrival at LHR. Ok, usually "only" 1.5 hours. I too, note that the agents seem to work 10 minutes and then take an extended break

gcuk

US citizens can now use the e-passport gates at Heathrow so your journey should be made a lot easier. Applies to citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Singapore and South Korea as well.

lwildernorva

Yes, the e-gates will make a big difference. My sister flew into Heathrow a week ago Sunday and was on the Heathrow Express into London in less than 30 minutes.

QueenOfCoach

Global Entry rocks.

mradey

Indeed it does. I regularly beat the crew to kerbside using GE at LAX.

MiraculousM

Unfortunately i only go one, at a push, two times a year so the $100 is, in no way, worth it for me especially as i am already staying in hostels in nyc to save cash.

I would happily fly into newark as they use the machines but the flight times do not work for me at all- i found that the 2pm flight took me, by the time the shuttle bus i had booked got me to my hotel and i had checked in, 5 hours.

I might just fly united next time as newarks united terminal is lovely and the last few times i have flown on that carrier have been great.

corporate-wage-slave

There may be a case to fly AA, at least inbound to the USA since T8 definitely has lots of machines. Or even PHL since this is well connected by train and coach services to NYC. T7 isn't too bad - nornally - on the earlier flights, if you were on a later flight (though you mentioned lunch) it maybe queues build up during the day and ease off again on the last flights.