70 minutes to transfer sufficient at JFK if preclearing in Dublin?

DubDani

Just looking for a flight to LAX, and the one I have my eye on only has 70 minutes transfer time at JFK. Is that sufficient if you are preclearing in Dublin?

Tenger

DubDani wrote: »

Just looking for a flight to LAX, and the one I have my eye on only has 70 minutes transfer time at JFK. Is that sufficient if you are preclearing in Dublin?

Depends on whether your connection is in same terminal or not. Switching terminals will take longer.
Best case scenario is outside 15-20 minutes after landing, 10-20 to change terminals, 20 mins to go thru security again. So looks tight for 70 mins

DubDani

Thanks for the feedback.

Both flights are with AA, and Arrival from Dublin as well as departure to LAX should be in Terminal 8 (example from today would be arrival at B7 in Terminal 8 and departure from C44 in Terminal 8).

DubDani

DubDani wrote: »

Just looking for a flight to LAX, and the one I have my eye on only has 70 minutes transfer time at JFK. Is that sufficient if you are preclearing in Dublin?

Yes anything less than two hours for me is tight. If there is a delay with a few passengers in pre clearance (always delayed my flight by 20+mins) then your transfer time is already being eaten in to even before you have left. The 6.5 hr flight and the scheduled length of the flight should be enough to catch it up.

If the reason you are choosing the flights is they are much cheaper than anything else then go for them, why?, because they are one carrier and any delay to one leg will automatically mean you will be looked after by the carrier for the second leg.

Where as if you buy Aer lingus to JFK and a separte carrier to LAX then the second carrier may just say "sorry not our problem".

irishbloke77

It's the same terminal, just a different spur off it, so 70 minutes should be fine. The flights can often leave 10-20 minutes late, but usually make that up on the way. As long as you are on one ticket all the way, if the first flight is very late, they will put you on the next available connecting flight. It's not a comfortable connection, don't expect to sit down for a coffee in JFK, but it's very do-able.

Crumbs868

People often forget about factoring in a lost bag. The shorter the layover the greater the chance of it not making it to your flight. A lost bag has the potential to ruin a holiday

KevR

I flew with American Airlines to Los Angeles (via JFK) a few months back. Arrived and departed again from T8 in JFK. It was a complete breeze, only had to walk about 50 meters in the terminal from the arrival gate to the gate for my connecting flight.

70 minutes should be plenty.

Just to warn you though, the AA planes for both of my flights were not the best. No personal TV and a little bit cramped for me (granted I'm a big lad). I was on a B757 from DUB to JFK and a B767 from JFK to LAX. So I would advise bringing a book or a tablet with some movies loaded to help pass the time. Food/drink on the internal flight from JFK to LAX is not free so it also might be worth considering grabbing a quick bite in JFK if you have time, you'll have better selection there than on the internal flight.

KevR

Oh, I didn't realise you hadn't booked yet. I would recommend checking out BA via London. You'll be on a new A380 from LHR to LAX. Should be more comfortable than the older AA planes. You'll have a personal TV on the A380 obviously.

From a comfort point of view, I personally would be willing to pay a bit more to fly with BA the next time I travel to Los Angeles.

It depends on how much of a cost difference there is though I guess. I would certainly travel with AA in future if New York was my final destination. LA is an extra 3000 miles though..

Tenger

Deleted User wrote: »

....Where as if you buy Aer lingus to JFK and a separte carrier to LAX then the second carrier may just say "sorry not our problem".

Unless of course it a United or Jetblue flight to LAX, both of which codeshare/partner with EI on their flights ex-DUB.

Crumbs868 wrote: »

People often forget about factoring in a lost bag. The shorter the layover the greater the chance of it not making it to your flight. A lost bag has the potential to ruin a holiday

While that is true it won't affect the OP's ability to make the 70 connection.


Thanks KevR for the firsthand info to the OP.

Wicklowleaid

Crumbs868 wrote: »

People often forget about factoring in a lost bag. The shorter the layover the greater the chance of it not making it to your flight. A lost bag has the potential to ruin a holiday

Hopefully shouldn't be an issue as both flights are with american presumably on same ticket so bag transfers internally.

owenc

Definitely.

You come off the plane and straight into the concourse. We found ourselves bored with 2 hours being far too much time.

Dublinflyer

the last time I went through JFK was with delta to San Francisco and we had 90 minutes to transfer and that was more than enough. In saying that all the flights were bang on time.