short layover time JFK

[stink]

I had a direct flight booked from Syracuse NY to Orlando on Jet Blue. This weekend Jet Blue changed sent me a notice changing flight to to routing through JFK, which I have done in the the past with usually 90+ minute layovers.

I am concerned with the return flight as the re-scheduled flight by Jet Blue only allows a 40 minute layover. We will be checking two bags. Has anyone experienced this short of a layover ? Should I contact Jet Blue and see what my other options are ?

 

[GoingSince1990]

I would be terrified to do only a 40 minute layover. If you can find alternative flights that work then call them and you should be able to switch at no cost. Remember that American and JetBlue are in an alliance now so American flights should also be an option. The other thing you can do is to ask for a full refund (which you should be able to get, even if the flights are nonrefundable, since the airline made the schedule change) and book on another airline.

 

[rwdavis2]

Yes, contact them. I would also recommend going to their web site and researching alternative flights so you’re ready to deal with them.

 

[Mle8308]

Contact JetBlue and as another poster mentioned, have an alternate flight you would be willing to take. This happened to me last December with a 50 minute layover (it was originally a 70 minute) and they moved me to a direct flight at no cost (the one I originally wanted but I didn't want to pay an additional $200). They will change it at no cost to you since they have moved your flight and added a layover. Do it sooner rather than later because a lot of the people on that original flight will do the same! Good luck!

 

[RoseGold]

So don't check the bags. I wouldn't check bags into MCO anyway. 40 min transfer should be fine if the Jetblue flights are all in the same area. You can check that by looking at other flights.

I'd rather go all carryon, take the quick transfer, and not have to wait at the nightmare of MCO baggage claim.

 

[GoingSince1990]

So don't check the bags. I wouldn't check bags into MCO anyway. 40 min transfer should be fine if the Jetblue flights are all in the same area. You can check that by looking at other flights.

I'd rather go all carryon, take the quick transfer, and not have to wait at the nightmare of MCO baggage claim.

A 40 minute transfer is definitely fine, given 100% certainty that the first flight will be on time. The problem is that in my recent experience, delays of at least 30 minutes are not at all uncommon, and then you are in the awful situation of nervously checking the time, worrying about missing your connection. I do agree that if you are going to go for it, avoiding having checked bags is a good idea. There are luggage delivery services (in the past I have used one called LuggageFree.com) which you can use to send larger bags to your destination, giving you one less thing to worry about in terms of your flights.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

A 40 minute transfer is definitely fine, given 100% certainty that the first flight will be on time. The problem is that in my recent experience, delays of at least 30 minutes are not at all uncommon, and then you are in the awful situation of nervously checking the time, worrying about missing your connection. I do agree that if you are going to go for it, avoiding having checked bags is a good idea. There are luggage delivery services (in the past I have used one called LuggageFree.com) which you can use to send larger bags to your destination, giving you one less thing to worry about in terms of your flights.

The OP said they are on Jet blue …. One time is NEVER 100 percent certainty.

It too bad to JB used to be my goto airline

 

[EACarlson]

Look yourself and find whatever options you want that make sense to you then call JB and tell them what flights you'd prefer. In the past 8 months I have done a 30 minute connection at MSP twice and ORD once. All of those involved changing terminals, which I don't think yours would flying JB at JFK. It's doable, but if you're more comfortable with a longer layover they should accommodate you.

 

[MrKnight]

Definitely contact them ASAP, 40 minutes seems a bit tight especially with checked bags, I would not risk it.. As mentioned by pp, American should also be an option given the northeast alliance between both airlines, I would call and demand either a direct flight or if a layover is necessary, at least an hour layover and a seat on the next flight to MCO on either airline, JetBlue or American..

 

[_19disnA]

Not clear how checking/not checking your bags for that return flight makes any difference. If you are traveling home and your bags don't arrive, you would obviously have others things at home to wear. Airlines will typically deliver the bags to you if the delay is something they caused. The layover time would be same regardless of how much checked baggage you have. You can probably walk faster to the next gate if you aren't also pulling luggage.

You can certainly contact JetBlue to see what other flight options may be available. I am not familiar with the terminal layout for JFK, but you can also see what terminal(s) they use. Depending how far you have to walk, that amount of time may not be any issue if the next flight is in the same terminal. If you have to walk to a distant terminal, timing could be an issue.

 

[sam_gordon]

Not clear how checking/not checking your bags for that return flight makes any difference. If you are traveling home and your bags don't arrive, you would obviously have others things at home to wear. Airlines will typically deliver the bags to you if the delay is something they caused. The layover time would be same regardless of how much checked baggage you have. You can probably walk faster to the next gate if you aren't also pulling luggage.

You can certainly contact JetBlue to see what other flight options may be available. I am not familiar with the terminal layout for JFK, but you can also see what terminal(s) they use. Depending how far you have to walk, that amount of time may not be any issue if the next flight is in the same terminal. If you have to walk to a distant terminal, timing could be an issue.

I'm glad I'm not the only one not understanding the checked bags issue. I mean yes, there's a chance the bags don't make the connection, but everyone brings the necessities for the first 24 hours with them on the plane, right?

Doing a quick google search, it appears JB used T5 at JFK. So changing terminals shouldn't be an issue. I would not worry about a 40 minutes connection provided everyone in the travelling party has no mobility issues. Granted, the more time you have to connect allows for delays or other issues on the original flight. As others have said, here are the proper steps:

1) Look at JB's schedule for that day. Find a connecting flight that gives you the time you need (ignore the cost, but make sure there's enough seats for the travelling party).
2) Contact JB and tell them the 40 minute layover won't work for you. You want to be put on flight 'x' instead.

The sooner you do this, the better.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Remember that EVEN if you land on time, it takes 10-15 minutes to unload the plane AND doors will close on your departing flight 10-15 min in advance. Throw in normal delays, weather issues, and general incompetence and I would have been worried about a 1 hour layover, let alone 40 minutes.

Good luck! At least the food at T5 is pretty good - much much better than flying JB out of Newark. I like the (overpriced) pizza place.

 

[Best Aunt]

Jetblue had nonstops SYR to MCO for years. This year they were eliminated for the summer. They showed as coming back in Sept. i haven't looked lately. Was that nonstop route wiped out again?

If you can get a refund (or for future trips) check out Delta, SYR to MCO with a layover in ATL. More flight options than Jetblue for SYR to MCO. Just be careful about plane size because some Delta flights are on small commuter planes. There are some on this route which are big and seem to be new planes.

Also there's a new airline out of SYR which goes to Florida I think. They don't have many planes yet but keep an eye on them in the future.

PPs have mentioned American. Some of their flights in and out of SYR are also commuter planes, so again know what you're booking.

 

[Jarmo]

Jetblue had nonstops SYR to MCO for years. This year they were eliminated for the summer. They showed as coming back in Sept. i haven't looked lately. Was that nonstop route wiped out again?

If you can get a refund (or for future trips) check out Delta, SYR to MCO with a layover in ATL. More flight options than Jetblue for SYR to MCO. Just be careful about plane size because some Delta flights are on small commuter planes. There are some on this route which are big and seem to be new planes.

Also there's a new airline out of SYR which goes to Florida I think. They don't have many planes yet but keep an eye on them in the future.

PPs have mentioned American. Some of their flights in and out of SYR are also commuter planes, so again know what you're booking.

I just booked for April and the nonstop was a choice again but unfortunately they changed the departure time to 630pm, used to be early morning. Southwest is the other airline flying direct now, and I think Allegiant flies into the smaller Orlando airport.

 

[Best Aunt]

Allegiant from Elmira flies into Sanford not MCO, and it seems like it's only a few days a week. I've never looked into Allegiant from SYR.

 

[_19disnA]

Many older threads on the Sanford airport and associated transportation options. While you might save a few $$ on your flight, Sandford is significantly further from Disney then MCO and offers limited transportation options. Make sure to price out the cost of transportation if you have flight options before planning to fly into Sanford since any flight savings will likely be wiped out by the cost of ground transportation.

 

[Anthony1971]

JFK is JB hub so you should not have an issue getting on and off planes as they will be in the same area.... Luggage I would bring a carry on with what is needed just in case worst you will have your bags very late at night. I use to always fly JB but because of their customer service I will no longer.... AS in 3 hour wait times on a good day.... But even if you miss the connection the next flight should not be far off as I mentioned it is their hub and they have a lot of flight times.

 

[stink]

Thank you all for your feedback. Called Jet Blue and was on hold for about 35 minutes, and was able to change to a non stop flight on my departure day, which had the same flight number as my original flight, only drawback is that it departs earlier in the day, so I will miss 1/2 day of playing in the parks.