JFK or Atlanta for layover with autistic son

[dabjam22]

Been feeling rather sorry for myself over past few days as we were due to fly to WDW in 8 days but unfortunately we had booked with TC, so have been pricing up next year and it looks like the only way we are going to be able to afford to go is if we fly indirect home

DS is autistic and the thought of doing indirect scares the life out of me. We would have to transfer at either JFK or Atlanta and have no idea which would be the best, or indeed how long a layover we would need. Would we need to collect our luggage and check in again for our flight to Manchester? it would be Delta Airlines to either JFK or Atlanta and then Virgin to Manchester.

Is PE ok on Virgin? We find it easier for DS to fly PE as there is less noise and hustle and bustle than in economy. Any info on Delta or Virgin would be greatly appreciated

[apollo163]

your luggage is checked through to Manchester on the way home so no need to collect. I've transferred at both and found Atlanta the easier of the 2.

[galaxyflorida]

On the way home you'll come off your first flight straight back into the departures lounge and your bags will be checked through. At JFK it's pretty easy, Delta and Virgin both use T4 which is just one long concourse (a small minority Delta flights use T2, but there is a free air side bus to connect the 2).

As for how long you'll need, as you dont need to pick up bags or go through immigration or anything I'd say about 2 hours would be comfortable, taking into account any delays and time to eat/use the toilet etc.

[toonarmani]

Atlanta is easier than JFK (IMO) and Delta/Virgin are usually code shares so may actually be the same plane (same for AA/BA).

[coventry_family]

We flew indirect with Delta last year via Atlanta on the way and Detroit on the way back. Our son is autistic and he loved getting on another plane. We just gave him the full breakdown of what to expect before we left, showed him photos/videos of the airports etc and explained the process. He was fine.

[jndt]

My youngest son (9) is autistic and we came home via JFK in August. It might have been easier as we have been to New York before so knew the airport was easy enough.

I actually preferred it - the 2 shorter flights were easier than one long one.

[YorkshireT]

Personally I would avoid both JFK and Atlanta and go with Philadelphia instead- a much less stressful airport to transfer through.