Do I have to go through customs for a connecting flight in New York?

Kennedy International Airport. If you're connecting with another airline, you may need to change terminals. If you're arriving on an international flight, you need to clear US Customs checkpoints before entering the United States and collect your baggage (even if you're in transit and have connecting flights).



People Also Ask

You'll need to clear customs and immigration. Next, you'll recheck your luggage for the domestic flight. Finally, you'll need to go through Transportation Security Administration screening.

MORE DETAILS

If you're connecting from a domestic flight to a domestic flight, there is no need to go through security again. If you're arriving on an international flight, you'll have to go through security to connect to any flight, whether international or domestic.

MORE DETAILS

If it is not tagged to your next or final destination, then you will definitely need to pick up your bags and check them in for your next flight.

MORE DETAILS

On average, it takes about 20 minutes to clear customs and immigration at JFK. However, it is possible to wait for up to an hour or more during peak travel times or if there are long lines at the immigration booths. Here are some tips for clearing customs and immigration quickly at JFK: Arrive at the airport earl.

MORE DETAILS

Customs and immigration are usually required at the connecting airport for international flights. You don't always have to for domestic flights. In most cases, passengers on layover flights must clear customs and immigration at the first point of entry.

MORE DETAILS

If your itinerary was purchased as one ticket (as in: you have only one itinerary and one confirmation number), and the connection time was too short and you miss the second (or third) flight, you can rest easy, no matter what happens. The airline will simply put you onto the next available flight, free of charge.

MORE DETAILS

If you must connect via JFK, make sure you have sufficient time: For connections from domestic (US or Canada) flights to other destinations in the US or Canada, allow 2–3 hours; for transfers from domestic to international destinations, allow 3–4 hours; for international to domestic, 3–5 hours; and for international to ...

MORE DETAILS

In most cases, you'll receive your boarding pass for your connecting flight already when you check in for your first flight. This means you don't have to check in again for your next flight. If you haven't received it, you can go to the transfer desk or kiosk of the airline you're flying with to collect it.

MORE DETAILS

A direct flight is identified by a unique flight number. A transit flight, with a connection, has two distinct flight numbers. A flight that is not direct, or connecting flight, involves a change of aircraft.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, there might be exceptions, but most often than not the airline won't wait. What you can do is to try to avoid missing your connection. But if you do miss your connection, don't worry, the airline will book you on a new flight for free (if it's an airline-protected connecting flight).

MORE DETAILS

Customs and immigration are usually required at the connecting airport for international flights. You don't always have to for domestic flights. In most cases, passengers on layover flights must clear customs and immigration at the first point of entry.

MORE DETAILS

When layover flights are booked with the same airline, your baggage will be automatically transferred through to your final destination. However, if the two flights are with different airlines, you may have to claim and re-check your baggage during your layover.

MORE DETAILS

Airlines will transfer your checked bags if a codeshare or interline agreement exists between them. You can find out what agreements your airline has by visiting their website.

MORE DETAILS

If you're a U.S. citizen or Canadian visitor, you may find it most convenient to use the Mobile Passport Control app or an automated passport control kiosk in T4. Citizens of other countries should refer to cbp.gov for full Immigration and Customs details.

MORE DETAILS

For international travel, many carriers suggest arriving at the airport at least three hours prior to the departure time. For domestic, the general rule is at least two hours. And if you get to the gate quickly, that's not a bad thing. You can relax, have a bite to eat at our concessions—they're open!

MORE DETAILS

Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.

MORE DETAILS