JFK departure

[AlanC]

Hi Everyone,

Wife and I are heading to the USA in August then on to Europe with the departure to Europe via JFK. This will be our first trip to USA and I have a couple of questions regarding the departure time frame that I was hoping someone here could help us with. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

On the day of departure we will need to travel from Washington to New York for a 5:00PM flight out of JFK to CDG with AA. Having not flown before via JFK but having read that the departure through USA airports can take a while we want to make sure we leave enough time so as not to have too much stress. We also hope to visit the AA lounge and as QC silver I was hoping we can.

It's been suggested that we take the Amtrak train as it's only takes a couple of hours. I'm happy to do this but was wondering if 1. it's reliable and 2. is it the best option as the train I assume goes to NY city then we would need to make our way to the airport? Also approx how much time should we appocate to clear customs at JFK?

Like to hear your thoughts on this.

Alan

 

[Sprucegoose]

Hi Everyone,

Wife and I are heading to the USA in August then on to Europe with the departure to Europe via JFK. This will be our first trip to USA and I have a couple of questions regarding the departure time frame that I was hoping someone here could help us with. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

On the day of departure we will need to travel from Washington to New York for a 5:00PM flight out of JFK to CDG with AA. Having not flown before via JFK but having read that the departure through USA airports can take a while we want to make sure we leave enough time so as not to have too much stress. We also hope to visit the AA lounge and as QC silver I was hoping we can.

It's been suggested that we take the Amtrak train as it's only takes a couple of hours. I'm happy to do this but was wondering if 1. it's reliable and 2. is it the best option as the train I assume goes to NY city then we would need to make our way to the airport? Also approx how much time should we appocate to clear customs at JFK?

Like to hear your thoughts on this.

Alan

I usually fly out of Reagan on AA, its a central airport and then it is usually a temrinal change. There is the Acela train which is Amtraks best. If you want to minimise stress fly straight into JFK.

I dont believe you will have AC access on Silver, but you can buy anything in Amercia and someone will come up with a plan for you.

Immigration, Ive always found to be good. Its more the security TSA mob. But I have always gone through on the premium line and it has never been more than 10 minutes.

see the attached link for some guidence.

New York Kennedy Airport Security Wait Times | JFK checkpoint delays

happy landings !!!

 

[serfty]

...

I dont believe you will have AC access on Silver, but you can buy anything in Amercia and someone will come up with a plan for you.
...

I believe the OP has a Qantas Club membership, in which case AAdmirals club access should be available (Along with vouchers for premium drinks): (QC=QP)

... We also hope to visit the AA lounge and as QC silver I was hoping we can.
...

You won't need to clear customs at JFK - you simply get on the aircraft and fly out.

There are no AA flights from Dulles (IAD) to JFK, a few EAAgle sevices from Reagan (DCA) to JFK and one ~3pm daily service from Baltimore BWI (probably that one's a bit late).

I am thinking It may be easiest to simply fly directly to JFK.

On landing from you arrive at the same terminal that you depart from (T8) so there's no further security to deal with (as you will have cleared this in Washington).

You can head to the lounge and hang out there for an hour or three before going to the gate about 50 minutes before scheduled departure (as PS you'll get the Ruby benefit of "Priority AAccess" - so be there when boarding for CDG commences).