Re-entering the U.S., customs, layovers and baggage

Two hours should be enough, if your arriving flight is on time. You'll go through customs in NY. It seems to me that if you fly completely different airlines, you'll have to re-check in when you arrive in NY. But do you mean you'll be flying two different parts of affiliated airlines (e.g. Lufthansa for transatlantic and then United for domestic)? Or do you mean two completely separately purchased tickets?

When you arrive in New York you will first go through immigration where your passport will be checked. Depending on the size of the plane you are on and the number of other arrivals this can take a while, not including the time it takes to get off the plane and walk - sometimes a long way - to the Immigration area. After you clear Immigration you will go to Baggage Claim and pick up your luggage and take it through Customs. Unless you have something to declare or they decide to do a random check this is usually just a walk through and you drop your luggage off for transfer to your connecting flight. Since you are now outside the secure area you will have to find your departure gate - it could be in another terminal and require a tram ride and you will have to go through the normal TAS security on the way to your gate. I would not try to do this in less than 2 hours.

Something else to consider is whether or not you should be booking with Alitalia. Just a word of caution, they get terrible reviews in just about every category, and the reviews are bad from any number of reliable sources. I know some folks here have used them with no problem, but that's the exception and not the rule according to the data. Just do some research before committing.

You can do it if everything clicks right. We have done it a couple of times with less times. However, once we missed but were quickly rescheduled on the next flight a couple of hours later. IF you are using two independent tickets I would allow four hours as min.

Cara, the only leg that concerns me is your outbound leg from SL to NY. How much time do you have between your arrival & the flight to Rome? I would suggest at least 3 hours.

Thanks for all the help. The responses were very informative. I'm trying to book the flights myself and can save some cash (from Amex points) if I book with airlines. Alitalia flights are reasonable, but the add-on from STL is really high. I thought I would book separately, but the return flight connection is the tight one. Going is different; 4.5 hours from arrival at JFK to departure for Rome. Certainly gives me lots to consider. Thanks, again!

A year ago we arrived at Kennedy from Europe, there was a "fast lane" through Customs for those with short connecting times. You have to show them your ongoing ticket so they can check the departure time of your domestic flight. This infortunately doesnt help get your baggage any faster- just gets yoou through immigration. i would make reservations on Domestic and International airlines that are hooked together, that way they transfer your luggage directly after you are through customs on arrival at Kennedy

That's good to know! I booked yesterday with Alitalia for the international flights and Delta for the domestic flights. They are partners and assured me I would get through on time. Hope it works out that way! Thanks for all the tips.