99% of the time we always just carry-on our luggage.. On our coming trip to Italy we were thinking of checking them, at least on the way back. My question is , if your flight has changes,ie: leaves MIlan via JFK to ATL, Do you have to retrieve your luggage at JFK or is it checked all the way through to ATL.. Entire flight booked by Delta but is a codeshare with Alitalia?.. We have only a 2 hr layover in JFK. Thanks
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13925 posts
You would go thru Immigration and Customs in JFK, so you will get your bags from a carousel after you pass thru Immigration, go thru Customs then it will be reloaded onto your Atlanta-bound flight.
I made a rookie goof last year on a Delta/Klm codeshare. On the way over it was Delta and KLM planes, but leaving from Florence was Alitalia and I had not keyed in to that as you have. The carryon requirements for Alitalia are more stringent than Delta's so had to check my bag on the flight from Florence. It would not have been bad except I was not expecting to do that and had to root thru the carry on for my Kindle, chargers, etc. I will heed what everyone says about being prepared next time!
Posted by
OP
Georgia, Now Florida
267 posts
Pam, Do you think 2 hrs is enough time to retrieve our bags and make it to the next flight? That line looked awfully long last time we were in JFK.... Not my favorite airport.... I sure did want to bring back a couple bottles of wine!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13925 posts
Sorry there is an implication I know JFK. That is the standard procedure wherever you first land in the US...immigration, collect baggage, customs, recheck baggage, fly to next destination. I have not flown thru JFK so I can't give you an estimate on time thru there. If Delta allowed you to book the connection, they must think you can make it or they will have to put you on another plane to ATL.
Posted by
OP
Georgia, Now Florida
267 posts
I kinda thought that is the way it worked. I was just hoping it was otherwise.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23261 posts
Unfortunately JFK can be a zoo. Been through there more than once. If you have time you should apply for Global Entry. It is a hundred bucks but more than worth it especially at JFK. Two hours could be tight. As back up when is the next flight to ATL? It would help if you had seats close to the plane exit so you can quickly get off the plane. You go through immigrations first and that is where the hang up can be. From there you will claim your luggage and go through customs, re check your luggage and then go thru regular security near your new gate for Atlanta. JFK is not fun.
Posted by
OP
Georgia, Now Florida
267 posts
Frank, No, JFK is not a pleasant experience... In fact, we said we would never connect there again! So much for the word (never). Guess I will have wine shipped to the US, if I find some I can't live without. so it will be carry-on only for us.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23261 posts
Having carry on will not speed it up. Our experience is that the luggage is there by the time you are through immigrations. We always do carry on for the outbound leg but check on the return. We don't need our bags at home but they have made it every time. Unfortunately we would like to avoid JFK but using Delta it is often not an option. We almost always bring home several bottles of wine. In all the years, only had one bottle broken.