I am flying from Venice back to Seattle on March 26. There is a two hour layover at JFK.
Is that enough time? I understand one had to go through passport control as well as retrieve one’s luggage to go through customs and then get the luggage not the second flight (JFK to Seattle).
That’s correct. Assuming (critical fact) that it’s on one ticket, that is tight but can be done. Otherwise the airline wouldn’t have sold it to you. And if for some reason it doesn’t work, they’ll put you on the next available flight to Seattle, so not much point in changing your flight now to that later one, as you probably will make the scheduled connection.
And also hopefully it’s something like Delta to Delta that doesn’t require a terminal change at JFK as that would take longer.
Yes, it all on Delta. The last time I was changing planes at JFK I got completely stumped.
March 26 is not a heavy holiday traffic which can impact connection. Another thing that will impact is your passport and if you have to go through immigration line for foreigners which tends to take longer than US passport holders or those with Global Entry.
It is feasible and once you retrieve luggage and exit custom, the drop-off baggage will be right there. Then you can hustle to your gate.
I've made a 2 hour connection with time to spare but also missed my connecting flight once because my suitcase took FOREVER to come out which delayed the whole process. I got to gate as they closed plane door and they wouldn't let me in). Delta put me on a later flight
I’ve done a Europe to domestic connection through JFK on Delta a dozen or so times (last time in Oct 2025). I would do a 2-hour layover at JFK. Immigration tends to be the slow part. Picking up and dropping checked baggage is easy. After that, you go up a floor and go through security again, which usually isn’t bad. As noted above, Delta will get you on the next available flight if you miss your scheduled flight to Seattle for some reason.
It looks like JFK participates in Mobile Passport Control so you may be able to speed things up a bit. Download the app before you leave and set up the parts you can ahead of time, then take your selfie and follow the instructions in the app just as you land. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control
Will only having a carryon luggage and no,checked in speed things up getting from JFK onto the connecting flight?
Will only having a carryon luggage and no checked in speed things up
getting from JFK onto the connecting flight?
Maybe a bit, but there is a pretty good flow from immigration to baggage claim to baggage drop off to security. I usually travel only with carry on luggage, but I've done checked luggage at JFK, too. If it's a big deal to have only carry-on luggage, I think you are okay with checked luggage.
Since the US doesn't do airside transfers but forces people through the regular immigratioin queues, I'd be pretty nervous about 2 hours.
Looks like your JFK-SEA flight is the" last bus out of Dodge", so 1) lace up your sneakers good and tight 2) use the restroom on the plane as close to landing as possible so you do not need to 'detour' as you make your way between planes 3) pray or cross your fingers ( according to your belief system)
4) board the first flight with a clean set of unders in your bag, just in case.
Good luck
Since they sell it as a single ticket you should have enough time.
The biggest issue will be getting through immigration. If you have Global Entry you're ahead of the game. If not, do as CL suggested and download the Mobile Passport Control app, set it up, and get used to it prior to your trip. It the immigration area is busy, MPC will save you a lot of time.
You will also need to go through security agan so if you have TSA Precheck you will also save time.
Since your flights are all on Delta you will arrive and depart from T4. However, the terminal is huge and the walks can be long. You might want to become familiar with the gate layout for the terminal as well as the shuttle bus stops around the terminal prior to using it so you know what to expect between gates.
These links might help you:
when global Entry was new we never waited at all at US airports. Last time we came into Chicago the GE line was actually slower than the regular line as now so many people have GE.
Will a connecting flight on the same airline Delta make it easier to find the new gate and board the new plane?
Today the VCE-JFK flight arrived Terminal 4 Gate B24; the Seattle flight left from B47 ( Terminal 4)
You may want to track your flights for several days to see if there is a pattern and check a JFK terminal map to see where the gates are in relation to each other.
That sounds like it was doable that day. Thanks for sharing the information. It’s greatly appreciated.
Is there an app that tracks flights? I’m at the Venise airport waiting to board the “to JFK” flight.
Flightradar24
Ah JFK is my favorite airport. Having carryon luggage will speed things up tremendously. Passport control is a toss up. I’ve never experienced long lines reentering via terminal 4. Global Entry is a breeze. But rarely have my non global entry fellow travelers waited long to get through passport control. This has been my experience and I use JFK and Delta’s terminal 4 almost exclusively for international travel.
it is tight because there is no airside transfer, you have to go through immigration with the herd.
Likely too late for OP who is traveling today but for others please note you likely now have to figure in not just USA entry process but also TSA security process and any current delays due to their funding issue. Likely after entry to USA you will have to exit the secure area and reenter through TSA for that connecting flight the same as all other passengers.
