Virgin LHR-JFK then connecting on Delta internally

Hello, firstly i'm one of those people that have watched these forums for a while but not posted. Until now that is!

In return for a couple of trip reviews that I will write for you all i'd like to ask a few questions from you far more knowledgable peoples!

I am travelling on VS045 LHR-JFK on Sept 11 but then connecting at JFK to go on a domestic delta flight DL2159 to MCO.

VS045 is meant to depart at 2pm UK and arrive 4:40pm US at terminal 4, and my next flight is meant to leave terminal 3 at 8:30pm. Originally I thought this seemed like plenty of time but now i'm not so sure.

According to delta the "Minimum Required Security Check-in Time
Before Departure with Baggage" is 60 mins. So that would leave me 2hrs 50 to get past immigration , get bag, get airtrain, check bag in and get past security. Does this seem reasonable?

Thats also assuming there are no delays which slightly worries me as that would be the last flight that evening.

Im travelling in regular economy (PE on return) on a 747 Config 4 so was wondering if buying an extra leg room seat would get me off the plane quicker and through immigration quicker? And if anyone has experience with the level of queues I should expect at customs getting off VS045?

Lastly I have to pay $25 for my checked bag on Delta and am unsure if they have an interline agreement with Virgin so will I have to collect my bag at JFK and check it in manually or have it checked straight through?

Sorry for the million questions and appreciate any help you can give.

Chris

[mitchja]

Immigration can be a nightmare at JFK for the VS45 arrival. I've been in the queue upwards of 2 hours before today ! You should be OK with your connection times though.

All arriving international pax have to collect their bags and re-check them when arriving at any US airport.

Customers arriving into JFK with a connection within 3 hours are greeted by ground staff at aircraft door upon arrival and given fast track card for JFK immigration

It maybe under 4 hours actually but can't remember.

Well you seem to have some confidence that 3hrs 50 should be enough - assuming no delays, pity i'll have to re-check-in the bag though Wonder if they'll stretch this magic fast track card to 3 hrs 50 if it is 3 hours, Otherwise its bribery I s'pose.

Did LHR-JFK-BOS due to reward flight availability issues on the direct BOS flight, we came off the VS45 (in PE) and were standing at check in in terminal 8 for AA within 40 minutes.

Sounds hopeful!

Delta offer pretty cheap upgrades on the MCO route FYI, did it back in March and it was $75 (I think).

I did VS045 a couple of weeks back on a Saturday and got through immigration in about 30 minutes, then another 10 minutes after that to clear the customs queue (which was long).

I was in PE, and considered the headstart we got from getting off the plane ahead of most an advantage- but I recon that the longest delay for any VS passenger on that flight was just over an hour judging by the queue that was left as we got through.

But hopefully you will get a fast track card and that will be that!

Delta offer pretty cheap upgrades on the MCO route FYI, did it back in March and it was $75 (I think).

Do you mean to Economy Comfort? I think it says £18 each way ( ~ $30)which is pretty cheap but they're only 2-3hour flights. I might upgrade the inbound flight because i'll have been squished in economy on VS045 all afternoon.

I did VS045 a couple of weeks back on a Saturday and got through immigration in about 30 minutes, then another 10 minutes after that to clear the customs queue (which was long).

Does make me wonder if it'll be a busy flying day because its Sept 11th, on the other hand the paralympics will have only just finished so people will be flying home? Can't say i've learnt to understand loadchecks yet or know how to do one so unless someone here can, i'll be hoping its empty!


And thanks to everyone with info so far, very useful!

Make sure you select a seat as far forward as possible on the VS45.

There isn't much else you can do because the wait time will be most dependent upon whether any other flights have arrived before you.

Does make me wonder if it'll be a busy flying day because its Sept 11th, on the other hand the paralympics will have only just finished so people will be flying home?

I am flying that day too, at the behest of someone in the office who insists no one wants to fly to or from the USA on that date therefore it's quieter and cheaper (he's flown on sept 11 in previous years and regards this as a correct theory, but I have no proof if it still holds)