Help please with connecting flight

Please can anyone advise on the below...
On 6th June I will be arriving from Vegas into JFK to then pick up the return to the UK. I have 2 G's booked from JFK back to LHR on 6th June departing 21:30. (No G's available from LAX/SFO/LAS back to UK)

I have 2 options:
LAS to JFK - depart 08.35 and arrive JFK 16:42 (nearly 5 hrs stopover)
LAS to JFK - depart 10:45 and arrive JFK 19:00 (approx 2.5hrs stopover)
Both on American Airlines - arriving JFK terminal 8

I then to have get our bags and get to Terminal 4 - is the second flight cutting it too tight on time??
Does anyone know how long it takes to get from Terminal 8 to 4
many thanks
Ollie

Just catch the air train to transfer between terminals - 3 stops between T8 & T4, should take no longer than 15-20 mins from T8 arrivals to T4 check in.

Personally I'd go for the longer connection - if your AA flight is delayed for any reason 2.5 hours could be cutting it fine.
And the JFK Clubhouse is a nice place to waste a few hours so it shouldn't feel too arduous.

As these will be separate flight bookings these are not, in airline terms, connecting flights.

Like gumshoe I'd also go for the earlier flight from LAS simply because it would give you far more leeway should there be any sort of delay - weather, mechanical etc

If you got the later LAS flight and that caused you to miss the VS flight you would be more than likely on your own when it comes to getting rebooked . AA will have done their job of getting you to JFK but as far as VS you would be a no-show and would have no obligation to just move you onto another flight.

Plus the earlier flight gives you more time in the JFK CH and means you don't have to rush to do the terminal transfers.

Many thanks
I've opted for the earlier flight!

Take the longer connection if connecting onto VS.

If you were connecting onto BA/AA or any other OW airline I would take the shorter connection, even on separate tickets due to AA's generous policy regarding missed connections on separately booked tickets.