Hello,

I wouldn't really consider myself a frequent flyer (17yrs might be a bit young for that), so help in the following matter would be greatly appreciated.

On July 10th (Sunday) I will travel from JFK over YYZ to FRA. My flight from JFK (AA 4766) arrives at T3 at 13:59 and my connecting flight to FRA (LH 471) departs from T1 at 17:30.

In my opinion, 3.5h should be enough for customs, immigration (I'm from Germany, so I'll have to go through there) and transfering two pieces of luggage between the two terminals - still, I'd like to be sure. The JFK-YYZ flight is only an ERJ135, what should keep the lines pretty short, shouldn't it?

What are your experiences in Toronto?
Are the JFK-YYZ flights usually on time?
Do you have any tips to avoid problems?

Thanks!
Cyrano

PS: I hope this is the right forum, your structure is a bit confusing at the beginning...

EDIT: Sorry, just remembered something else: Is there any way to make AA tag my bags right through to FRA?

Hey,

Firstly welcome to FT. Its nice to see someone else under 18 from Canada

OK

Yes, you should have enough time (although T1 is a hassle)
If your flights are on one ticket then yes, they will, but you will still have to pick them up and put them on the connecting belt in Toronto.
If your flights are on separate tickets, they still should, just ask at check in.
The JFK-YYZ flights are brand new, so I havent experienced them yet - sorry

Cheers

The T3 to T1 will be somewhat new.. you may wish to cross post this on the Air Canada forum since YYZ travelers there will be more informed. I looked at the Toronto web page about transfers ... http://www.gtaa.com/Index.aspx?Sid=N...ode2.7.3&Tpl=1 and agree it looks confusing.

I will not comment on the YYZ transfer as I have only arrived into Canada from the US .. and there is an 'in transit' feature within T3 that I assumed you could use .. tho with the transit to T1 it may not work. ASK about in-transit.

The luggage should not be an issue .. but again the transiting may be the problem if you have to clear into Canada and then out again.

The comment I WANT to make is more your JFK-YYZ flight. The new American terminal at JFK is not scheduled to open until mid August. Eagle flights all leave from T9 at JFK. T9 is notoriously BAD for security .. and BAD for lines .. and EXTRA sensitive metal screening machines (my belt NEVER makes it go off except at T9/8 JFK). AND be aware that parking and curbside dropoff at JFK T8/9 is HORRID. As international you MUST check your luggage inside at the ticket counter.

My point is allow PLENTY of time to check in at JFK and get to the gate. As a non-tier AA flyer you would not be able to use the VIP security line .. so prepare for some long lines. The Eagle gates are almost even with the security at T9 JFK.. you exit out of the security .. then actually make a 'U' turn like you are heading back out again .. and the Eagle gates are lower level on your right. DONT exit security thru the glass doors (with a security guard sitting there).

Your 12:25pm flight is the first flight on the 10th .. and the 7pm (next) will miss your LH flight .. so GOOD planning to have plenty of connection time in YYZ.

You do not mention a return .. be aware that you clear US Customs in YYZ before even getting to the concourse.... and the lines there (sometimes they have a US Passport only line which does not help you tho) sometimes VERY long. AND you take your luggage with you thru immigration and customs and then security. NOT a fun option.

Wow, thanks alot for the help. I didn't expect that extensive answers.

Well, the JFK-YYZ flight is actually the return. On July 2nd I'm going to take AC258 YWG-YYZ (arrival 15:17) and then AA4771 to JFK (departure 18:15). But as I'm coming from inside Canada, I shouldn't have to much line-trouble there. IMO that shouldn't be a problem, what do you think?

BTW: Has anybody experiences regarding the YYZ 'Travel Store'? I'm thinking about storing my bigger piece of luggage there for the week, so I can travel lightly, but I couldn't check the prices yet and it could be another line...

Thanks again
Cyrano

Well, you go through US immigration & customs at YYZ (it's called "pre-clearance"), so that you have to allow extra time for this - you cannot get to your departure gate without going through the procedure. I don't have any personal experience, but I've heard that the lines for this can be horrendous, depending on the time of day. Maybe in the early afternoon you're OK, but definitely ask your question on the Air Canada forum.

Yes, AA should be able to put a tag on your bags for your LH connection to FRA at YYZ (procedure is called "interlining"). However, you will most likely need to clear Canadian immigration & customs when arriving in YYZ, even though you're just connecting, and so you MUST pick up your bags, take them through customs, and then give them back to the airline. Air Canada has a counter there for this purpose - don't know if they would be willing to take your LH-bound bag and take it to the LH plane for you... ask them. Otherwise you may need to schlep the bags over to the LH counter.

I've done the LHR-YYZ-USA transit and it's a pain but do-able in less than 2 hours so your three hours should be fine. You might want to also be aware that US immigration there is the rudest in North American in my experience and that of others I've spoken to.

Sorry, I just want to get this clearly: I check in, THEN go to the ticket counter and check my luggage? Or what is the exact procedure here?

How much time would you plan to spend at JFK prior to boarding? 3 hours?

The same question for the flight on Saturday YYZ->JFK: Where do I first at YYZ? Check-in, US customs, US immigration, luggage check, gate in this order?

Thanks
Cyrano

Hi,

Just wanted to tell you, that YWG-YYZ-JFK went smoothly yesterday. Thanks for your help, a more detailed report will follow.

Cyrano