Jet Blue to POP, stop over in JFK

tink23 · #1 07-08-2009, 11:54 AM

Hi,
I'm going to be flying Jet Blue at the beginning of August from Buffalo to Puerto Plata, with a stop over at JFK airport. I've only ever flown out of Toronto airport, however, Jet Blue has the best price available so I now need to fly out of Buffalo. I've never flown out of any American airport and looking at the times for the stop over in New York at JFK I have two possibilities. One will give me 55 minutes to make my connecting flight to POP and another will give me over 3 hours to make the connecting flight. Do the connections usually go smoothly? Will 55 minutes be enough time to grab my luggage, re submit it and switch planes or will I be pushing it? Would it be better to choose the option with a 3 hour layover? It's just, if I want a 3 hour lay over my flight leaves from Buffalo very early in the morning which would also have to include a 1 hour 30 minute drive to the Buffalo airport as well.... Would 55 minute connection at JFK suffice without some serious stress?
Thanks for your help.

Tamborista · #2 07-08-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tink23

... Would 55 minute connection at JFK suffice without some serious stress?

If you have to collect/re-check your bags forget about it, if they move your bags it is possible to make the flight. This is assuming both flights are in & out of T5.

sangria · #3 07-08-2009, 12:21 PM

to avoid stress i would take the layover...get a coffee & relax! the time will still fly by quickly and it wont feel like 3 long hours.

large american airports are not as easy to get through as you are used to!
once had a 2 hour layover in miami and almost didnt make it home due to long lines for 2nd security clearance, collecting bags and rechecking them.

so glad you finally bought your ticket!!!

Imbert369 · #4 07-08-2009, 12:21 PM

I live in NY and fly out of JFK all the time 55 min WILL NOT be enought time, you have to think of all different type of delays better safe then sorry

Pandaris · #5 07-08-2009, 12:23 PM

All airlines have things called legal/illegal connection times and the system will not allow you to reserve a flight with an an illegal connection time. With 55 minutes at JFK, you'll be just fine. Enjoy your trip.

tink23 · #6 07-08-2009, 12:35 PM

Thanks for your help everyone! I haven't bought my ticket yet, but was going to see if I could get away with the shorter layover time, which most seem to think I can't so I'm not going to take my chances. I will be stressed enough and excited enough without worrying about if I'm going to miss my connecting flight.
You're right, 3 hours won't really feel like 3 hours. I'd definitely rather be safe than sorry

tink23 · #7 07-08-2009, 12:37 PM

Oh! Sorry, one more questions.
I'm going to be moving to Puerto Plata for a year, but I'll be returning for a week or two at Christmas time for a visit with my family and friends... But since i'm going for such a long time will the American immigration be questioning me a lot about the length of time I'll be going to DR? Will that cause problems for me? Or will my bigger problem be crossing the boarder by car into Buffalo? I'm a bit of a worrier so I'd like to be prepared. Thanks!

Drro · #8 07-08-2009, 12:55 PM

If you're flying from Buffalo to JFK it's going to be a small plane and you should check to see if it lands in Terminal 5 which is Jet Blue. Then check to see what gate it usually comes in on and what gate the POP flight goes out of and see whether it's feasible. However, if you do carry on, it's not a problem.

rsg · #9 07-08-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drro

If you're flying from Buffalo to JFK it's going to be a small plane and you should check to see if it lands in Terminal 5 which is Jet Blue. Then check to see what gate it usually comes in on and what gate the POP flight goes out of and see whether it's feasible. However, if you do carry on, it's not a problem.

First of all jet blue only uses two types of planes out of buffalo, and they are not the small type that you are thinling of. they are both large jets.
Secondly,all flights from jet blue will land in terminal 5, except international flights that will land in terminal 4 for customs.

rsg · #10 07-08-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tink23

Hi,
I'm going to be flying Jet Blue at the beginning of August from Buffalo to Puerto Plata, with a stop over at JFK airport. I've only ever flown out of Toronto airport, however, Jet Blue has the best price available so I now need to fly out of Buffalo. I've never flown out of any American airport and looking at the times for the stop over in New York at JFK I have two possibilities. One will give me 55 minutes to make my connecting flight to POP and another will give me over 3 hours to make the connecting flight. Do the connections usually go smoothly? Will 55 minutes be enough time to grab my luggage, re submit it and switch planes or will I be pushing it? Would it be better to choose the option with a 3 hour layover? It's just, if I want a 3 hour lay over my flight leaves from Buffalo very early in the morning which would also have to include a 1 hour 30 minute drive to the Buffalo airport as well.... Would 55 minute connection at JFK suffice without some serious stress?
Thanks for your help.

I fly jet blue to the DR twice a month, so take the 3 hour layover on your way down to POP. 55 minutes is usually enough to forward your luggage, which jet blue does for you, but if your flight from buffalo runs late expect to see your bags the next day.
On your return trip you need to remember that you will need to leave enough time to claim your bags in customs, clear customs, and take the tram from terminal 4 to jet blue T5. Allow at least an hour and a half for this.