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5 hour layover enough to go from JFK to LGA?

Islamabad, Pakistan
5 posts
5 hour layover enough to go from JFK to LGA?
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I'll arrive at 4.30 pm on a Monday at JFK airport on an international flight from Abu Dhabi. Then I must change airports to LGA for my next flight to Kansas City which leaves at 9.15 pm. So is a 4h45m layover enough to make this connection including immigration and customs?

I'm a first time flyer so I don't have much idea, and this will also be my first time visiting the US.

1. Re: 5 hour layover enough to go from JFK to LGA?

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Hudson, Ohio
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5,359 posts
11 reviews
38 helpful votes
2. Re: 5 hour layover enough to go from JFK to LGA?
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If everything goes smoothly, it will be fine, but for those airports, that is a short connection.

United Kingdom
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2,015 posts
42 reviews
104 helpful votes
3. Re: 5 hour layover enough to go from JFK to LGA?
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It's LGA, Flowercity, not LGW!

Islamabad, Pakistan
5 posts
4. Re: 5 hour layover enough to go from JFK to LGA?
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I've heard that immigration can take more than 1.5 hours at JFK. Is that true? I have also heard that I can go through US immigration in AbuDhabi. Something call pre-clearance? My layover at AbuDhabi is about 4 hours.

Liverpool, UK
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34,041 posts
35 reviews
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5. Re: 5 hour layover enough to go from JFK to LGA?
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I have also heard that I can go through US immigration in AbuDhabi. Something call pre-clearance? - Abu Dhabi has US Immigration/Customs pre clearance which means you clear the US entry formalities before you depart meaning you arrive in JFK akin to a domestic passenger.

You simply then need to collect bags and get to La Guardia which improves your chances of making it in the nearly 5 hours window

Connecticut
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497 posts
68 reviews
37 helpful votes
6. Re: 5 hour layover enough to go from JFK to LGA?
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Last time I checked, some AUH US flights are pre-cleared and some are not. (The facility is not 24 hours.) Either way, at JFK your delay is typically baggage claim. All that said, I would estimate your time on a Monday afternoon at rush hour (going the better direction) to be anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes in a taxi, including the taxi queue. There is also a shuttle bus service which, if you get your bags swiftly, is a viable and cheaper option. In Terminal 4, NY Airporter is to your far right after leaving customs / baggage claim.

San Francisco...
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60,973 posts
137 reviews
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7. Re: 5 hour layover enough to go from JFK to LGA?
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So your Ethiad flight will arrive as a domestic flight so if you are on time then you should be out of the airport in 30-45 mins depending on baggage claim

And you need to be at LGA 90 minutes before your flight. So that gives you 2 1/2 hours to transfer during rush hour

Islamabad, Pakistan
5 posts
8. Re: 5 hour layover enough to go from JFK to LGA?
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It's an American Airlines operated by Etihad Airways flight. According to their website, pre clearance is only available for Etihad flights. So will this flight be included?

Edited: 7 years ago
Islamabad, Pakistan
5 posts
9. Re: 5 hour layover enough to go from JFK to LGA?
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A friend of mine told me that I'll have to pay $35 per bag when I check in my luggage again at LGA. True?

Brisbane, Australia
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3,529 posts
10. Re: 5 hour layover enough to go from JFK to LGA?
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'It says American Airlines operated by Etihad Airways.'

That means you'll be flying with Etihad so you'll be ok.

Edited: 7 years ago
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