Flight connection transiting through in USA

I’m looking to book a flight from London to Dominican Republic. Most of the flights for the dates I want are connection flights via the USA (London – JFK, then JFK-Santo Domingo). The connection times in New York or Miami are around 2 – 3 hrs. I seem to recall you need to get an ESTA/visa and officially clear immigration to connect. Last time I did this there were huge queues (2hrs waiting) at immigration and I missed the connection flight. Is it a real hassle transiting through the USA? or is it now quite simple? worth searching other dates to specifically avoid America?

Yes, you usually need an ESTA (IME, the exception being where the flight number doesn’t change) best to get one even if you don’t need it.

The last time I went through JFK there was no queue at immigration, but anecdote is not data – doesn’t take much to mess up an airport schedule.

I’d avoid a stop if you can.

Always a miserable experience transiting through the US.

I have no idea why they think being so rude is a good introduction to their country. It’s not like the rudeness teases out any wrong doers.

JFK is notorious amongst US fliers, but I’ve never found any better or worse than anywhere else. I suspect it’s because most Americans regard New York as a cess pit of Libtards, or whatever crazy stuff they believe that week.

2hrs is a minimum to transit in the US since (depending on airport) you will need to clear customs, pick up your luggage, check in again if you have hold luggage and go through security again. PITA

MIA is generally better than JFK for security but it’s always hard to predict.

I haven’t been through Miami airport for about 10yrs, but the last I did it reminded me of why I stopped going that route in the first place.

Too many concourses, too many armed cops shouting at the top of their voices, ‘Get in line, you, you stand there, that’s your queue’ Crikey I genuinely thought the next pile of crap to fall out of one of their mouths was going to be ‘Everybody get down, now, hit the floor now’

Yep, you need an ESTA, something I only realised with barely enough time to get it before travelling (it costs $50 from memory but you can do it all online).

Have to say my experience was completely painless. LA in particular was amazingly smooth – no queues at all, immigration & security were polite and efficient. You have to collect and recheck your bags and if it’s a bike box, they WILL demand to look inside it. Thankfully not an issue as mine is a proper box with just a padlock so I could open it for them and they left it all neat and tidy but I can imagine it being a right pain if you have a cardboard box sealed with parcel tape. It helped that baggage collection and recheck were right next to each other and I was on the same airline going through.

San Francisco on the way back had longer queues but I also had a longer transit time, nearly 6hrs I think in the airport.

Can you go through Dublin. I seem to remember my wife doing that for flights to Chicago when she worked for a us company. I think you can clear immigration in Dublin in a more pleasant environment.

But otherwise I’d avoid. I’ve missed a 4h connection once but it has got better.

> 2 hours in San Francisco back in 2022. But I’d deliberately booked flights and times to allow me to catch a later connecting flight rather than have to go the next day. Not everyone at the United desk was so lucky and they were told to find their own accommodation. It’s piss poor, so try and plan your flights to offer a backup connecting flight.

jonbaFree Member
Can you go through Dublin. I seem to remember my wife doing that for flights to Chicago when she worked for a us company. I think you can clear immigration in Dublin in a more pleasant environment.

Yeah, I fly to US on Sunday, will clear customs in Shannon before I go, that will have me arriving in US as a domestic passenger, much, much less hassle.

Previous time have been forced to fly to London, then to US on a much longer flight, and then into immigration on arrival, does my head in

Echo others experience above, JFK border security are a miserable bunch who suck the life out of any possible excitement you might have from being on holiday. My first time through there they refused to accept I didn’t have a middle name (I don’t, and my passport says the same) so got escorted off for questioning. Not a pleasant experience.

If unavoidable (i.e. clearing immigration in Dublin) then just make plenty of time and accept at best you’ll get a brusque reception.

“too many armed cops shouting at the top of their voices, ‘Get in line, you, you stand there, that’s your queue’”

That’s TSA. They’re not cops and they’re not armed. A lot of yelling and banging bins around tho.

Border guards are a mixed bag. Some of them very pleasant, some of them a pain. It’s a horrible working environment.

I don’t think any US airport does airside connections, so yes you have to enter the US, collect your bags and recheck. At least if it’s one connecting ticket you can usually recheck your bags at desks after customs. On separate tickets you have to find the next check in (can be different terminals). ESTA is US $ 21 pp https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

I would want at least 3 hrs between flights, and on a connecting ticket, since originating in the UK then UK261 covers you.

I would try to avoid transiting Florida in the hurricane season (Aug-Nov) and avoid the north during winter, because of disruption, but it depends if you have a choice. I would try and get a direct flight, have you look at the holiday operators, or flying to Punta Cana and getting a transfer/taxi?

US airports are the worst.  2-3 hours is very brave.

I avoid them now and go via Dubai when flying back to the Colonies.

Out of many unpleasant episodes, my favorite was when I was waiting in line at LAX (to clear customs and immigration, then walk straight back through again to get back ON THE SAME PLANE) when I felt really sick (airsick, heat,  dehydrated) and knew I was going to throw up – I started moving back along and got shouted at and told to stay in line.  Fine – have some vomit on your filthy hallway then!  They hustled me to the front of the queue so winner!

Is Toronto a possibility for you, OP?

Side thought – might be worth checking TUI etc as they might have direct charter flights that aren’t on Expedia etc?

I like to have 1-2 hours between internal flights in the USA, nevermind clearing immigration and customs.  I’d leave a lot longer.  That said, check out if there is any information on typical immigration times and also if your international flight arrives at the same time as others.  If you are the only flight it’s not so bad but if several all land within a short space of time, expect the immigration hall to be rammed.

Aer Lingus via Shannon and clear customs first?

Am currently in DR having flown LHR to Boston on Good Friday. We took the late PM flight, which landed around 2200. We stayed at the Hilton which is walking distance from the terminal and then flew on to Punta Cana on the 0845 next morning. Flights were sold by American but the Atlantic leg was BA. Much cheaper than direct BA from LGW and felt fresher arriving in DR this way. We had to get our bags as they don’t keep checked luggage overnight at the airport. Don’t know if this will be necessary or not if connecting on the same day. We had no material delays and would travel this way again.

Watch out when applying for the ESTA; there are a whole bunch of websites out there trying to look as much as possible like the official .gov site and charging extra fees.

Never had one issue in the USA despite it’s reputation – fast and polite.

If it bothers you that much can pay to avoid the queues

https://www.gov.uk/global-entry-usa

Avoid if possible IME.

I flew out to Fiji via Singapore but back via LA – X.

The agent who booked my flights didn’t tell me about the ESTA.

I arrived at Nadi Airport to be asked where my “paperwork” was. The Fiji Airlines girls told me I could apply online & it usually came through in 2-3hrs. The flight closed in 2½hrs. They let me use their computer to apply and it cost $90 or so & said it’d take “up to 48hrs”.

I sat and waited. And waited. And waited. With 5 minutes to go – still nothing. 1 minute. Nothing. Then the closing time arrived. They waved me over to the desk – my clearance had come through that very second! The girls were more excited than me that I’d made the plane & they danced around and gave me hugs!

Flew to LA. Got off to join massive queues for the automated immigration system. A lengthy screen generated system of camera shots, biometric readings and questions. At the end of the process you’re told it didn’t work and you’re sent to queue up to speak to an agent and go through the whole process again. This seemed to be the case for about ¾ of travellers.

Having cleared that I then joined a hummungous queue for security. I realised that I was unlikely to get through in time to make my flight. I spoke to a guard & got him to call his supervisor & explained the situation to her. I was very polite & respectful. She kindly escorted me to the head of the queue & got me through.

My gate was a long way away and I eventually got there & JUST made the flight despite having had 3hrs since I’d landed – all of which I’d spent on my feet.

alanw2007
Full Member
Watch out when applying for the ESTA; there are a whole bunch of websites out there trying to look as much as possible like the official .gov site and charging extra fees.

This x1000… the ESTA is $21, any site ssking more us just a shell taking extra cash and submitting a $21 application to the government site on your behalf

I’ve never waited more than about 30-40 mins to clear immigration at any of the airports we have flown into. Miami was quite quick and I actually found the officers there very friendly, one of them had a good chat and laugh with my daughter to get her to have her picture taken.

too can download the my tsa app and it gives live and estimated wait times based on history, should give an indication of the day and time you land.