American Airlines (Heathrow - JFK)
 

Hi all
On thursday 4th November I'll be taking the AA flight from Heathrow to JFK..

Couple of questions...
Any AA checkin staff in this forum willing to prescribe me an upgrade ??? :} (you have to ask!!!)

I am really nervous about going through us immigration.. what can i expect?? I've never been state side before so I'm kinda oblivious to the procedures and rules...

z...

I think they are now doing the picture and fingerprint scan routine, not sure what effect that will have on queue's. Immigration is no great drama, don't be nervous or they will think you have something to be nervous about.. fill in the forms carefully (you will get these at check in or on board, take a spare in case you make errors on the first one, they don't like crossing outs) and be polite , even if the agent behind the desk has terminal sense of humour failure.

Recent experience flying in on BA has been processing time at JFK has been good. Aircraft door to driving out of the Avis lot apx. 1 hr. and that's flying WT+ not up the front of the bus.

As a regular across the pond ORD and TPA have been pretty good as well, IAD an absolute disgrace, two hours in the queue last time and that was after a long delay on board waiting for the mobile lounges, that take you from the aircraft to the terminal, to arrive.

A lot though is down to chance, a colleague of mine got caught, I think at JFK, behind a queue that had just arrived from Kuwait and they were taking a v. long time to process each pax.

If you were travelling to New York would you be better off (time-wise) travelling to EWR or JFK?

Wannabe;

EWR wins hands-down. 25 minutes into the heart of NYC ( Penn Station 34th and 8th) via a NJ Transit train. Costs around $10:00. JFK will cost you $$$$$ and is at least 60 minutes away on a good day.

Having said that, JFK now has a new rail connection...Monorail from JFK connecting to the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) to the aforementioned Penn Station.

Having said that, JFK is cheaper to fly out of from the perspective of somebody living here. That's because it's a nightmare to get to.
Under NO circumstances should you consider driving to or from JFK unless it is absolutely the last resort.

Last tit-bit; There are 2 Penn Sations. One in Newark and one in NYC. If you fly into EWR, get off at the 2nd one. That's the NYC stop...the absolute last one on the train.

Newarksmells