Connection time in JFK

This will heavily depend on the airlines (and thus terminals) involved. I'd say 1h45m would be a minimum comfortable connection time only if the prior conditions are ideal.

Edit to add- If Nice to NYC direct could only be Delta, so I assume JFK-PDX would also be Delta. In that case, you'd arrive in Terminal 4 and most likely depart from the same. Maybe departing from Terminal 2, but that's the only easy connection at JFK. If both flights are operated by Delta, 1h45m should be fine.

it's not just getting to the plane, it's customs and immigration and dealing with bags

My buddy the travel agent never books less than 2:30 at JFK going either direction. After an outgoing connection to Scotland that I made with only 20 miutes to spare (security, bus ride to the international terminal, &c) I ask for at lesst three hours. I think she's giving me four hours next spring. when I returned form Scotland, I made re-entry and the walk to my domestic flight in plenty of time but Delta cuaght a tailwind and we arrived about 45 early.

No, 1 3/4 hrs is not enough time even if you are flying Delta at Terminal 4. You might get through immigration in 10 minutes; you might get through immigration in 2 hours. Do you have Global Entry?

What airlines are you taking? This is critical to know in order to give you the most accurate advice. Last, is it really a connection or are you taking two separate flights on two different tickets?

Possibly relevant: it took about an hour and 45 minutes yesterday to get between my inbound flights on American and Alaska at JFK. The time was spent on somewhat slow immigration lines, no customs inspection of any kind, a train to get to a different terminal, and security check-in at the next terminal, plus a lot of walking. I wouldn't try that tight a connection there.

CPB actually tracks immigration wait times, so we can refer to data rather than rely on hyperbolic worst-case scenarios anecdotes.

Per https://awt.cbp.gov/, US citizens entering via JFK's terminal 4 in Q3 2022 (summer travel!) saw an average wait time of 19.45 minutes.

Thanks everyone for the input. Yes, it would be a true connection (one ticket) on Delta, and no I don't have Global Entry. I was most concerned about the extra time entry into the country might take, beyond the time needed for the usual trek from one gate to another.

We avoid JFK like the plague. The other easy connections would be through Amsterdam which is also having staffing problems at this time. You might could connect on United through Newark.

Other alternatives would be flying out of SEATAC--and taking the 160 mile drive.

@Michele - no GE, so get Mobile Passport, it's free, and at least at AF's Terminal 1, you dump into the GE line.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control
And if you have to change terminals, then TSA pre check is a lifesaver and will save time.

If one is landing in Terminal 1 & needs to change terminals, the Airtrain is NOT RUNNING. Apparently there are buses but who knows how reliable they are. The Airtrain is skipping Terminals 1 & 2 for months on end.

You said you were taking Delta flights. Delta international flights land at Terminal 4. Many Dellta domestic flights also use Terminal 4, so the transfer is easy. Some of Delta’s domestic flights leave from Terminal 2. If that turns out to be the case for you, do NOT go outside Terminal 4’s security. (If you do this, you would need to take the airtrain to 2 and then go back through security - very time-consuming.) There is a shuttle bus that connects the two terminals and eliminates the need to go back through security. Look for signs or ASK.

renee, there is no Airtrain to Terminal 2 for the time being so it is even that much more imperative when going from Terminal 4 to Terminal 2 to stay inside security and take the shuttle.