1&1/2 hours to get thru Imigration before next flight. Enough time?

[Laz]

I have been looking at flights to the Carribean. Coming back, I can not find any Connecting flights that leave later that an hour and an half after I land. Is that enough time to go through immigration, claim my bags, go thru cusoms, recheck my bags, and go through security yet still make my connecting flight?

It seems very little time.

 

[pilgrimage]

Which airport? I've gone through JFK in that amount of time;
in Charlotte last spring I was sprinting!

 

[Laz]

Charlotte was one. Atlanta and Denver were the others. From what I am told, the FAA sets those times and feels it is enough. I have problems with that.

 

[CarolA]

Generally, the bag rechecking is usually no big deal. You wheel it over and they take it away, it's tagged to your final destination at check in.

Also, where are you going?? For some Caribbean destinations you actually clear customs at your departure airport. I did this in Bermuda for example, once I cleared I was "technically" in the US even though I was still on the island.

 

[Laz]

I am thinking of going to St. Lucia or Antiqua

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Each airport has minimum connecting times for on-line and inter-line connections. On-line is if you're connecting on the same airline and the latter is if you're switching airlines. Staying with the same airline usually has a shorter minimum then if you're switching. Staying on-line usually means you're flying with the airline who has a hub in your Customs/Connecting city; i.e. Delta in Atlanta, USAirways in Charlotte and American in Miami.

With that in mind, no one will sell you a through-ticket that does not meet the minimum connecting times. Computers won't let it happen. But in some cases you can save money by buying two separate tickets...if that is what you're trying to do....and of course you have to make sure you meet the minimum connecting time on your own. Call any travel agent and they can look up the minimums for you on their CRS; the airlines can do the same for their hub cities.

I think 1-1/2 hours is risky for an international connection but if you're on a through ticket and it meets the minimum, the airline that sold you the ticket has to take care of you if they cause you to miss THEIR connection. If you're traveling on two separate tickets then you're generally on your own, even if you meet the minimum, because each ticket's job was to get you to the next place and the first ticket got you there, even if they were late, and you simply did not show up for the second flight on time.

Flights from both St. Lucia and Antigua use Customs at the U.S. airport, not before you depart their islands, as far as I recall. Also consider connecting in San Juan, where American operates a large hub between the islands and the U.S. mainland.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Laz]

Each airport has minimum connecting times for on-line and inter-line connections. On-line is if you're connecting on the same airline and the latter is if you're switching airlines. Staying with the same airline usually has a shorter minimum then if you're switching. Staying on-line usually means you're flying with the airline who has a hub in your Customs/Connecting city; i.e. Delta in Atlanta, USAirways in Charlotte and American in Miami.

With that in mind, no one will sell you a through-ticket that does not meet the minimum connecting times. Computers won't let it happen. But in some cases you can save money by buying two separate tickets...if that is what you're trying to do....and of course you have to make sure you meet the minimum connecting time on your own. Call any travel agent and they can look up the minimums for you on their CRS; the airlines can do the same for their hub cities.

I think 1-1/2 hours is risky for an international connection but if you're on a through ticket and it meets the minimum, the airline that sold you the ticket has to take care of you if they cause you to miss THEIR connection. If you're traveling on two separate tickets then you're generally on your own, even if you meet the minimum, because each ticket's job was to get you to the next place and the first ticket got you there, even if they were late, and you simply did not show up for the second flight on time.

Flights from both St. Lucia and Antigua use Customs at the U.S. airport, not before you depart their islands, as far as I recall. Also consider connecting in San Juan, where American operates a large hub between the islands and the U.S. mainland.

BobK/Orlando

1&1/2 hours was too short when I went through Dallas. The airline may be responsible, but if I miss a flight, the next ones are not until the next day.

 

[pilgrimage]

True, if you miss your connection you won't have to pay
for another ticket, but you are STAND-BY for the next
flight on that carrier going out. You might find yourself
waiting for the next flight 24 hours. I think the airlines
are goofy to make such short connections when multiple
international flights are clearing customs in smaller
airports (CLT is a lovely airport with rocking chairs, but
I've waited longer there than any other airport and I fly
8 times a month and often internationally).]