Connection in JFK where do we clear immigration

[Pamela]

We were dicussing this last night with my parents and they think that as we are flying Ediburgh to JFK to Orlando we will have to go through immigration at Orlando and not JFK as we have an onward journey, they also think we will have to claim our luggage at JFK and then pass it on to the Orlando flight.
Can we not put the luggage 'straight through' at Edinburgh and then see it in Orlando and do we do immigration in JFK or Orlando?

Thanks

[Lynnes]

I think you will go through immigration at JFK.

[ellie]

Pamela, the normal procedure is for you to go through Immigration and Customs on your first landfall in the USA, wherever that may be. In this case you will go through Immigration when you land at JFK. You will then pass through to the baggage hall where you luggage will be waiting for you and you will collect it and walk with it through customs. You will be given your green visa waiver form on the 'plane, as well as a Customs form, which you will need to fill in carefully before you land in the USA.

After clearing Customs, where they are likely to scan your luggage you will take it to an area where you will drop it off, so that it can be taken to your connecting flight. They will tell you exactly where to go and what to do, so don't worry about that.

When you land in Orlando you will be arriving on a domestic flight, therefore you will not need to pass through immigration or customs, so you will be able to walk straight off the 'plane, collect your luggage and go straight to the car hire desk to pick up your car.

Hope you have a great trip!

[Pamela]

thanks for clearing that up. We only have a 1hr 30min stopover in JFK, do you think that will be ok to get all that done?

Also if we buy a bottle of duty free on the way out can we take that through JFK as hand luggage as it is a liquid. What is the liquid situation over there as hand luggage? Trivial I know but don't want other half to buy his JD and have to leave it behind I can see it now [msncry]

[SteveandJan]

You clear immigration at JFK. You will get through in that time, not sure about the duty free. Will see I can find out, otherwise I am sure someone else will know the answer here

[Pamela]

Thanks all. I am a bit of a panic merchant when it comes to airports and getting places on time and as it is only the two of us for this trip and there has always been a group of 6 in the past it makes me worse....just feel better knowing what to expect and when!

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Pamela
thanks for clearing that up. We only have a 1hr 30min stopover in JFK, do you think that will be ok to get all that done?

Also if we buy a bottle of duty free on the way out can we take that through JFK as hand luggage as it is a liquid. What is the liquid situation over there as hand luggage? Trivial I know but don't want other half to buy his JD and have to leave it behind I can see it now [msncry]
[/quote]

It's s bit tight but you should make it. Which airline(s) are you using? I ask because changing terminal can take a while even with the excellent inter-terminal train.

You'll have to put the bottle into your checked luggage when you collect it at JFK. If you still have it as carry on it'll be taken from you when you go back through security for the domestic flight.

[ellie]

Pamela, you can't even take a bottle of water through security so definitely don't waste your money buying duty free unless you can get it back in your hold luggage. With just an hour an a half, which is quite tight, if there are any delays on your transatlantic flight you will need to put all your energies into getting through Immigration, Customs and finding your new gate.

[Pamela]

I have checked our flight times and looks like we have 1hr 50mins to connect. We are flying with Delta if that helps or make a difference?
I will tell him to forgot the JD then...better to know now than waste money and have it taken away. Don't want to be stressing about packing it when we land at JFK either,

[Mo Green]

We flew Delta in March and they used Termial 3 for International and Domestic flights. It was our first flight through JFK for years but it was all well sign-posted. 1hr 50 mins sounds enough time to go through immigration, collect luggage, go through customs and hand luggage over for onward flight. Flying back is easier as your luggage will be checked straight through.

I am sure you will find a good deal on a bottle of JD when you arrive in Orlando.

Mo