Long wait in jfk

[Sandraoh40]

My dh and 2 of his mates are heading off in March on a golf trip. They have just had their flights changed resulting in a really long wait in jfk. They go in and out of T8. Their luggage will be booked through as they have it all in the one ticket.
Are they able to leave T8 and go to one of the other terminals? They were going to book a lounge to pass some of the time in but there aren’t in in T8. In fact on closer inspection it seems there isn’t much in there at all.
Any tips on this would be most appreciated.

[galaxyflorida]

They would be able to leave T8 but wouldn't be able to go into a lounge that's past security in another terminal.

Just to pick up on a point you said - on the way there (so UK-JFK-golf trip) despite the bags being checked through you will need to pick them up at the baggage belt and recheck them in as it would be the first US point of entry.

[Guest]

If they have had their flights changed can they not phone up and ask to be rebooked to avoid the long layover. JFK can be busy I think so I would be comfortable with a 2.5-3.5 hour layover on the way out. Less on way back


How long will they have?
I thought it was outbound but then the checked through luggage bit confused me. Is this out bound or return?

[Sandraoh40]

Originally Posted by galaxyflorida

They would be able to leave T8 but wouldn't be able to go into a lounge that's past security in another terminal.

Just to pick up on a point you said - on the way there (so UK-JFK-golf trip) despite the bags being checked through you will need to pick them up at the baggage belt and recheck them in as it would be the first US point of entry.

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Hi, thanks. We did wonder this however he checked and it said they would go straight through. Although they will also ask at check in to confirm if they do have to do this.
I did think they wouldn’t be able to go through security at another gate. They will be fine just wandering around if they have to.

[Sandraoh40]

Originally Posted by FamilyGWales

If they have had their flights changed can they not phone up and ask to be rebooked to avoid the long layover. JFK can be busy I think so I would be comfortable with a 2.5-3.5 hour layover on the way out. Less on way back


How long will they have?
I thought it was outbound but then the checked through luggage bit confused me. Is this out bound or return?

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It’s on the way there. They have about 7 hrs. We checked last night and the original flight seems to have been removed. To book a different one is coming up a fair bit extra.
He’s very laid back about it. He’s not too bothered. Will just go for a kip if he has to.
Thanks for replying.

[marypoppins38]

Originally Posted by Sandraoh40

Hi, thanks. We did wonder this however he checked and it said they would go straight through. Although they will also ask at check in to confirm if they do have to do this.
I did think they wouldn’t be able to go through security at another gate. They will be fine just wandering around if they have to.

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I think he may have been given incorrect information here. I am pretty certain (someone please correct me if I am wrong!) that because NY is their first point of entry into the US they will have to pickup their bags , clear customs with them and then re-drop them. I wouldn't like them to arrive at their destination only to find their bags still in NY as they didn't collect them.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Sandraoh40

It’s on the way there. They have about 7 hrs. We checked last night and the original flight seems to have been removed. To book a different one is coming up a fair bit extra.
He’s very laid back about it. He’s not too bothered. Will just go for a kip if he has to.
Thanks for replying.

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If it's a flight adjustment by the airlines they are normally very flexible and re route at no cost. We have changed flights and stopover airports for free as a consequence of flight time adjustments before. Worth a call. Only works if it is a through ticket.

If out bound will def have to pick up the cases, clear customs and do the bag drop for the next flight. I have also had to recelear security for the onflight. I tend to do all that and then flop in the departure lounge.

[Sandraoh40]

Originally Posted by marypoppins38

I think he may have been given incorrect information here. I am pretty certain (someone please correct me if I am wrong!) that because NY is their first point of entry into the US they will have to pickup their bags , clear customs with them and then re-drop them. I wouldn't like them to arrive at their destination only to find their bags still in NY as they didn't collect them.

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Hi, thanks. They will find out for definite before they go. Or let me rephrase that... I will find out for defo before they go. This is the first time he has gone away like this without me and I do everything. I’m trying really hard to let them ( him cause he’s organising them all ) donit themselves.
Im pretty sure you are right.

[Sandraoh40]

Originally Posted by FamilyGWales

If it's a flight adjustment by the airlines they are normally very flexible and re route at no cost. We have changed flights and stopover airports for free as a consequence of flight time adjustments before. Worth a call. Only works if it is a through ticket.

If out bound will def have to pick up the cases, clear customs and do the bag drop for the next flight. I have also had to recelear security for the onflight. I tend to do all that and then flop in the departure lounge.

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Thanks. I will say to him again and maybe worth calling them.

[Peko]

Originally Posted by galaxyflorida

They would be able to leave T8 but wouldn't be able to go into a lounge that's past security in another terminal.

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In the case of JFK, this is not correct. If you have a boarding pass for a flight departing JFK that day, you can go airside in any terminal. It’s TSA policy. You may find TSA staff telling you’re in the wrong terminal, but in theory nothing to stop you getting airside. You would of course require the appropriate eligibility to go into a lounge in other terminals.

Whether it is worth it is another matter. With the exception of T2/T4, all terminal transfers at JFK have to be done landside, and obviously you have to reclear security each time you go airside in any terminal.

T8 doesn’t have third party lounges, only AA Flagship and Admirals Club, but Priority Pass members can eat at Bobby Vans Steakhouse as a “lounge visit”. There are a number of other food and beverage establishments. You can also pay to get into many AA Admirals Clubs, though it costs over $50 pp, which is a lot for what you get. Also not 100% that JFK allows paid day access.

If I have a very long layover at JFK, I’d be heading into Manhattan, not the other terminals, but that’s me. Trying to get the flights changed is probably a good move.