Connecting thru the US - Question

We are planning on flying to SXM mid-week and returning a week or so later - also mid week. Our Canadian airlines are only flying on the weekends now so we will have to use US-based airlines and connect. Going down is no problem because we clear US customs in Toronto. Coming back however, we will have to land in the U.S., CLEAR CUSTOMS, and then continue on to Toronto.

My question is - who has flown into the following cities and cleared customs midweek? I'm just trying to get an idea of how long we'll need on the ground in order to clear customs and make our connecting flight to Toronto.

Our choices of hubs to connect in are: JFK, Philadelphia, Atlanta or Charlotte.

Can anybody help?

Thanks!

Surprised Miami isn't on that list, but regardless, you need to allow at least three hours.

We've connected through Miami before Carol. LOL That's why it's not on the list. Huge lineups and we didn't have the best experience.

OK, no problem. We've generally had decent trips through Miami, but one time, it was a giant cluster-you-know-what!

We recently had a connecting flight from Atlanta through JFK 2 weeks ago. There was a 2 hr window between flights. The lines for Customs in Atlanta was so backed up we ended up missing our connecting flight. Not sure if this is an isolated problem or not but it certainly left a bad taste in our mouth.

I think you mean connecting through Atlanta to JFK?? Regardless, I hear various stories about Atlanta. Some people report smooth sailing and some, long lines. We will find out in June. Haven't connected through Atlanta in a long time ourselves.

We just booked our return flight on AA. We are flying through Charlotte and have 1 hour 25 minutes between flights.

Good luck, Harry!! I don't think that's even a legal connection on an international flight...

I bet that flight changes before you are ready to take it. That is not enough time for customs and immigration then going through TSA to your connecting flight.

That would have worked on my flight in March but in the past, it would not have been enough time. With AA, I would EXPECT a schedule change and you may not like it.

Friends who connected through ATL reported long lines and much more time than I needed in CLT.

All: Yeah I know it is tight, but I booked with miles and that was a choice, so I am sure it is a 'legal' flight. Our flight arrives from SXM at 6:35 pm and departs for Chicago at 7:59. AA also has a flight listed after that departing at 10:35 pm. (It helps flying into one of the world's busiest airports.) We also have Global Entry.

And I expect the schedule to change.. I have seen the posts about AA's schedule changes.

The fact they list another option is a very good thing in your case, if you need it. AA changed my initial booking for a Nov. trip to what was less than what they consider a "legal connection". It was only 5 minutes short of THEIR guidelines but since they made the change, they did not want to allow me to change.

To answer the OP's question. In the past CLT was NOT good in many cases and the weekends were even worse. On my past trip (March), CLT was a breeze. ATL can be hit or miss.

I have flown through all four airports and cleared customs, but I can't remember if these were strictly mid-week. Our latest venture was thru Atlanta with Delta, and we cleared customs on a Sunday night and it was a snap. Whole process was less than 45 minutes. ATL has a huge area for this process. JFK wasn't too bad either, but our return flight to Buffalo was cancelled and that screwed things up big time. But, we would have made the flight easy if it departed that night. That was also roughly 45 minutes. CLT was a few years ago, and I can't recall having any problems there, either. As for Philadelphia, I would avoid that airport like the plague. I would also steer clear of Cleveland, Ohio.

If it were me, I'd be fine with ATL, JFK and CLT but I would make sure I had a minimum 2 hours and 30 minutes layover. Always best to expect the unexpected from the airlines. BTW, Delta and Jet Blue are at the top of my personal list for being on time and keeping to their schedules. Hope that helps.

We flew Toronto through Atlanta with delta down & back a year ago. Coming home we had about 2 1/2 hours in Atlanta airport. We did not have to collect luggage Sxm had tag on it for yyz. We did go through u.s. customs with carryon . No time at all. Lovely dinner at One Flew South restaurant in Atlanta airport. The waiter asks when your flight is so they know how fast they need to be. Very well organized. I love our 4 1/2 hr direct flight but if we had to go through u.s. again we would go Delta through Atlanta again.

If I were you I would choose the one that allows for the most time. You are at the mercy of circumstances out of your control such as delayed departure from SXM and multiple flights going through Customs and Immigration when you arrive at your selected airport. I am sure you could hear bad experiences about all your options. For us, CLT has been the best choice. Mid week travel might minimize your problems.

We just connected through Miami on a Wednesday. Had just over 2 hours to make connection and was there 30 minutes before boarding began.

With global entry, you should breeze through immigration. The problem will be waiting for your luggage. We came through CLT on a Sat. In March and waited 45 min.for ours. Luckily we had a 3 hour layover.

This is excellent input everyone -thank you so much. LOVE TTOL.

KitKat--Teresa is Canadian. Can Canadians get Global Entry?

Citizens or nationals of 11 countries are eligible for Global Entry, as are lawful permanent residents, but Canada is not on the list.

Canadians have an alternate means for getting the same benefits as Global Entry. From the CBP website. "Canadian citizens and residents are eligible for Global Entry benefits through membership in the NEXUS program."

Information for Canadian citizens and residents applying for Nexus can be found at https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/application-demande-eng.html

End of March we flew into JFK, although we didn't have a connecting flight - we drove home to upstate NY. It was a Thursday, early evening landing. We got through customs in record time....never in the 32 years of flying home did it go so fast! Upon landing we walked to the customs area, kiosks for documents was very quick, almost every booth was open so we never stood still, quickly weaved through, got to officer at booth and he ask I think 1 question and bam we were off the get our luggage. The airport was definitely busy, it just seemed to move very fast. We did land around a half hour early....that may have been a factor along with almost all the booths being open and it being a Thursday.