Can we make this connection at JFK?

[AquaGirl]

We were looking at flights from Washington to STT on Delta and AA last night for our trip in May. Since AA eliminated many flights through SJU, it is harder to get to STT in the early afternoon for us. Trying to use FF miles can get annoying since they charge a higher numbers of miles for the more desireable flights. However, they ARE (almost) free, so I continue to slog through the process.

One of the options on AA is to leave at 6am from Washington Reagan and fly to JFK. We would have only 45 minutes to make the connecting flight to STT. We would arrive on STT around noon, which would be great! Having only 45 minutes to make a connection makes me nervous, especially since there is no other flight to STT that day (would probably have to fly to MIA, then to STT if we missed the connection). We will have carry-on only, so luggage not an issue.

I am not a gambling type, so I'm not sure I want to take a chance of missing flight. I am not familiar with JFK. Any thoughts?

[loria]

the AA terminal at JFK is BIG, but you should be able to make it fine--it's May so there wouldn't be (or shouldn't be) weather delays!
be careful though--they switch those flights by an hour or a half hour every so often--we had reservatiosn to go at 8:00am and now the flight leaves at 7:30
--that would really screw you up!

[cwaver]

I take it for granted that your Delta flight arrives JFK and not LGA.
45 mins, to me is not enough time. Security lines and the size of the AA terminal would make me re-think this. Another option would be to come to JFK the night before and spring for a hotel. Wake up at 6 AM and shullte to the terminal

[Randy in MD]

We've taken that AA flight from DCA to JFK to STT before and had no problems. The plane out of National is one of those small jets and the 6AM departure is the earliest out of the airport so the potential for delays is lessened. The plane is parked at the airport from the evening before. 45 minutes is risky later in the day but doable at that hour.

[Nic in KC]

We had 50 minutes to make our next flight in Chicago and we barely made it. We did switch airlines though. It would probably be doable, but it was very stressful for me!

[susan & herb]

We live in NJ and go out of JFK. We are also going in May and taking AA flight #655 which is direct to STT at 8am (that can change somewhat). We stay overnight at one of the hotels near the airport, get up in the am and take the shuttle to the airport. Kind of decompress a little earlier. We have been doing this for several years. It is easier than hoping that we don't get stuck in traffic driving from NJ to JFK.

[jimg20]

Although early morning flights are normally good for on-time departures, there is one potential problem. If the crew arrives late the evening before, the flight could be delayed for mandatory crew rest. If that happens, they normally know when the wheels hit the runway and can make other arrangements for you if required.

I think 45 minutes for AA to AA transfer is OK. Grab seats as close to the front of the plane as you can get. You'll get off quicker.

Good luck

JIM