Delta layover at JFK

I think you are cutting it close, just thinking about possible delays at Atlanta or at JFK.

We been through JFK with a tight connection. Never again if we can help it. Might not be the worst place to make a connection, but it's way ahead of third place. We'd opt for the earlier flight without a second thought. If fact, I'd look long and hard for something that goes directly from Atlanta to Europe and make a connection there.

" I don't need to re-enter security, right?"

Don't be so sure. Flights from JFK to TLV would leave from terminal 4; flights from ATL arrive at terminal 2. There should be an airside bus connecting the two terminals - but you may not have time to wait for it with only 1:47. If you have to connect landside and you are at two different terminals, you definitely have to go through security again. (I know Atlanta is set up differently).

Furthermore, going to TLV on Delta I don't know if you have extra security, just for that Israel-bound flight. Leaving for TLV from Newark on United, I did. It wasn't as extensive as El Al's lengthy process, but it did take some time, and I was glad I was one of the first in the line. So, if Delta has extra security for the flight to TLV, even if it's all in terminal 4, you may not have enough time. And I believe Delta only has one flight a day from JFK to TLV, so if you miss the connection, you've lost a day.

Short version: I'd definitely book the 4 hour layover in this case. This is yet another illustration of the maxim: When Flying, You Can Either Be Stressed Or Bored. Choose Bored.

We also fly with Delta out of Atlanta and have connected thru JFK quite a few times.. We have always had to go back through security, when leaving the country.. They do arrive and take off from different terminals. Although..(now that I am thinking about it).It does seem like, last year when we went to Ireland, they put us on a bus that took us on an inside loop of the airport and that we did not go through security again.. Hope that helps! I would be uncomfortable with that short of a layover in JFK...

Domestic to international, that's plenty of time. We've done international to domestic in that amount of time at JFK complete with longish immigration line and secondary customs screening and still had time to grab a counter service meal before getting on our connecting flight.

Only thing I'd be a bit wary about is flying out of Atlanta during summer thunderstorm season- I try to pad my trips that involve ATL a little more from about mid-May to early September.

Have you considered flying Turkish Airlines into instabul and transferring to their flight info Tel Aviv? I hear nice things about that airline--something I cannot say about Delta.

Honestly, if you are in coach your probably unlikely to notice a difference between Delta and anyone else. And any of them can and will have a bad day. If you are looking for an airline with only positive reviews I think you may have very limited options : ) But I would not change flights based on posters on this board (or any other)

I have a similar connection for my flight in October.

Here's a map of the Delta terminals. It's my understanding that if you take the "jitney" you don't have to clear security again. If you are on some partner airlines you would have to clear security again.

https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/airports-and-aircraft/airports/new-york-jfk.html

I think when you fly into Turkey, even to change planes, you get hit with the Visa fee.

Take the earlier flight if you want peace of mind. The slightest delay can make you miss your connection. I had that experience a few years ago and ended up with a miserable night stranded at the connection city. If I had been thinking, I would have tried hard to find an earlier flight for the first leg.

Sounds like you already have a ticket. If so, the airline has determined that is a doable connection, they are responsible for getting you to TLV, so if you miss, you will be on a later flight or alternate route. To change now would likely incur a change fee ($200 to $500 per ticket) so might be best to go with it.

The good news is that you would not have to go through TSA security as you will already be airside at JFK.

That said, you need a longer layover simply because your flight from Atlanta could be late. That happens too often. Harold is right that DL flights to Tel Aviv will depart from terminal 4. Your Atlanta flight could also arrive at Terminal 4 which would be very convenient. It could also land in Terminal 2 and there is an airside shuttle between Terminals 2 and 4. You will have to wait for that shuttle and if your flight to Tel Aviv closes 30 minutes before departure, you could miss your flight even with the shuttle. You'd be put on the next available flight that has seats. That may not be the next night's flight. There is only one nonstop each night. They may be able to put you on a flight connecting at Paris Charles de Gaulle the following day but then you risk your luggage not making your connection in Paris depending upon how tight the connection is and your actual arrival time in Paris. You'd have to put yourself up for the night in NYC regardless again assuming there is a seat for you the following day.

Just because it's a "legal" connection, Delta won't pay for your food and overnight accommodations if you miss the connection at JFK unless there were mechanical issues with the Atlanta aircraft that caused you to miss your connection to Tel Aviv.

Don't do this to yourself. Allow 4 hours at JFK especially since you won't be on the first flight from Atlanta. The domino effect of lateness obviously gets worse the later in the day you fly domestically. The 4 hours is a good cushion for that domino effect of lateness plus there could be extra security measures taken at the Tel Aviv gate that need that extra time at the gate.

When I have these dilemmas, I look at it as "What's the best possible outcome?" and "What's the worst possible outcome?" If you miss the flight, how soon is the next flight and is it already full? Picking the earlier time, the worst is that you would waste 2 hours in a boring airport, but not be stressed the morning of your trip. Personally, I've always selected the extra buffer time.

I just did something like this at JFK (domestic flight to international), although I had 2-1/2 hours. I arrived at Terminal 2 and took the "jitney" to Terminal 4. This was very efficient and allowed me NOT to have to go through security again. If I had arrived at Terminal 4, I would have been in the right place for my international flight and it would have been very easy. However, I am always reluctant to have any connection of less than two hours at these big airports. JFK often gets backed up and flights have to wait to land. Or they taxi around and sit on the runway for a while. I'd rather wait the four hours - browse the shops, get something to read, have a meal - before you know it, it's time to board your plane.

It is quite possible that there is extra security for a Tel Aviv flight. You might want to call Delta and ask about this.

By the way, someone earlier stated that you need a visa in Istanbul even if you are only making a connecting flight. This is NOT true. You only need a visa if you go through immigration and leave the airport.

I would pick Turkish Air over Delta...by a long shot. There is no Visa fee for changing planes, unlike a prior poster suggested.

Hate to point out the obvious, but this is a post by a first time poster, one that has not participated in any other topics, and has not come back to answer basic questions or discuss further, so any further speculation is just wasted time. If they already have a ticket, they are committed, little sense in offering a myriad of other options.

I am a first time poster...and haven't bought my ticket yet...and really appreciate everyone's input. Longer layover at JFK is the winner!