Is 2.5 hours enough time to clear immigration and customs and transfer to a domestic flight at PHL? It's a single ticket; I will not check any bags; I have Global Entry; and will be flying business class. The domestic flight generally departs PHL out of terminals B or C. My question assumes that all flights are on time (yes, I know it's a big assumption). Thanks.
Posted by
Chicago
8164 posts
That is enough time. What other options do you have.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2661 posts
I agree it's probably good. I end at PHL, and with Global Entry things have moved pretty smoothly the last few times I've arrived from Europe.
Posted by
OP
1585 posts
Wow, you guys are fast. Jazz+Travels asked what my other choices are. The short answer is none. When I bought the ticket I had 2h55m to change. I was comfortable with that. American, in its infinite wisdom changed the flight times. I'm sure 2.5 hours is still a legal connection so I would probably lose any argument with AA if I tried to change my ticket. There are later flights that I can be rebooked on if I miss the connection. They just require another connection. :-(
Posted by
Vermont, USA
729 posts
You should be fine. Took us 30 minutes to clear the international terminal last spring during peak time (multiple flights coming in), and we don’t have GE. We were at our C gate connection 40 min after getting off the inbound flight.
Posted by
PA
2857 posts
Philly is our home airport, we don't have GE. Ever since the kiosks have been installed we find that we have been out-cabin-door to through the customs lane in 25 minutes or less. It could be few minutes more if you have the furthest out gates in terminal A, the arrivals hall is dead center of the "C". And we are usually arriving at the busy 3:30 to 4 PM slot. 2 and 12/ hours is plenty. Even if you have to walk from A to E/F for your next flight, that is still only 15 minutes.
Posted by
OP
1585 posts
Thanks for the reassurance everyone. I had read some PHL horror stories and started to get worried.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
My worst international to domestic transfer ever was at PHL a few years ago, and we barely made our flight. But it sounds like things have changed (such as kiosks), and you have Global Entry, which we did not. So based on what others have said here, it seems OK.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2661 posts
Yes, PHL was quite different a few years ago, things are much improved.