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Comparing American Airports re Flights to Barcelona

Posted by (Austin, TX) on

It is time for me to book my flight from Austin to and from Barcelona.

I always prefer either Delta or American because of my credit cards. One day I might even have enough rewards to fly free.

I am going to have to change planes both going to and coming from but there are many options. I may have to spend several hours in an airport one way or the other.

Would like some opinions about specific airports. The airports are Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia and JFK.

(I have already asked and received information about Atlanta so that is not on the list).

Of the four listed, which ones have you used to transfer to an international flight or returned from an international flight.

Which ones did you like or not like and why? What amenities are offered such as art exhibits, rocking chairs, etc. I may be at one of these for several hours. How about transferring to an in international flight or to a domestic flight when coming home?

I am assuming that most people will say to avoid JFK if possible.

I have flown to and from Miami and JFK but it was always when my flight terminated or began at these airports, not when I had to change planes and might be at airport for seversl hours

Posted by
2267 posts

Ive made inbound connections on AA in all those airports, but Miami was 2017, so im not sure it’s relevant. (Or if I even recall that well.)

I don’t think JFK is an automatic avoid. Those that do probably have a dated memory of when some of the airlines were more dispersed across different terminals. (That is, you had to change terminals for a connection.) That’s much less common now. The gate areas in AA’s remote concourse are often pretty quiet, and a good place to hide from crowds.

PHL is fine/unremarkable. It’s probably where I connect the most—I never seek it out, but I wouldn’t avoid it. AA has a reputation for bags being quite slow there, at least for international arrivals, so feel free to use the bathroom after passport control, but I wouldn’t a short connection.

Chicago will likely require a change of terminals after an international arrival. It’s pretty easy with the free and frequent train connected to the terminals. Depending on the gate at which you’re parked the walk to customs can feel epic. AA’s domestic departure area has what is widely considered one of the best airport restaurants in the U.S.

Posted by
7688 posts

I have flown into and out of Miami, Chicago and JFK airports. Also, I have flown into Philly.

Chicago O'Hare is my least favorite airport in the USA. We had to change terminals and that involved a train, but we had to go through a very lengthy security check line again, which took about an hour. We almost missed our international flight to Bejing.

What made it even worse was that the security guards were useless in keeping people from cutting into line ahead of us. I have never had this problem at any other airport.

What I love about Atlanta airport is that once you are inside security, you can change terminals without going through the full security check. Sometimes there is a short check, but it takes only a few minutes. Atlanta is one of my favorite airports in the USA.

JFK is not my favorite and we have had flights delayed there more than once. Again, if you change terminals you have to go through security again, but it is nothing like O'Hare. Also, if you need to spend the night at JFK they have a great hotel there called the TWA Hotel, that was once the TWA terminal. It is great for a one nighter.

Miami is not a problem picking up your connection, but it is not as efficient as Atlanta.

Posted by
2267 posts

Just to distinguish from to geovagriffith‘s experience, above. If you’re on American or Iberia you wouldn’t have to change terminals when departing the U.S. (but would on arrival)

(All international arrivals are at the remote T5, but some airlines move their planes over to the regular terminals for departures.)

Posted by
1939 posts

Thanks to all.

I do not feel rushed but should make my flight plans within the next week or two,. There are several possibilities with none being exactly what I would want but all are acceptable.

Posted by
271 posts

I'd lived in the Philly suburbs for nearly 50 years and have flown internationally "out of" or "into" PHL over fifty times (and, possibly 100 times domestically); it's generally an unremarkable and forgettable airport experience.

Posted by
6427 posts

it's generally an unremarkable and forgettable airport experience

Craig, that's the best kind!

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