Page 1
Page 1
Started By
Message

Going from Laguardia to JFK to avoid a 6 hour layover

Posted on 8/31/26 at 11:34 am
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
131995 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 11:34 am
Currently have an international trip coming up leaving on Thanksgiving day on American.

We were flying out of MSY to JFK then JFK to our destination. However, American just changed our flight up several hours with a connection, and now we will have a 6 hour layover. This is not the worst thing in the world as we are flying Flagship First and will have access to the Chelsea Lounge etc.

However, we looked and saw that a lot of the flights to JFK were eliminated but there is a direct one to Laguardia several hours later. We would arrive at Laguardia at 7pm and our flight out of JFK leaves at 10PM. Only 25-30 minutes between the two.

This would change us leaving our house at 9am to leaving at 3pm, be direct to LGA and then we would take an uber to JFK. There is a flagship first private security line at JFK which is nice. Would eliminate a lot of travel time and waiting around time, while still having a 3 hour buffer before the flight for any minor delays.

I don't see a lot of downside of doing this beyond if there are major delays/weather conditions we could be kinda screwed, and the minor logistics of going between airports.

Thoughts? Anyone done this or similar?
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
131995 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 11:41 am to
FYI I ran this through AI and they told me I am fricking nuts and not to do this
Posted by Zappas Stache
Utility Muffin Research Kitchen
Member since Apr 2009
43576 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 11:46 am to
quote:

Anyone done this or similar?



I once told the Uber to take us to JFK and as we were arriving he asks what terminal and gate we were departing. I told him and he said uhhhh.....thats La Guardia. So he turned around and took us to la Guardia and we still made our flight.
Posted by geauxpurple
New Orleans
Member since Jul 2014
17823 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 11:54 am to
By the time you go through all of that trouble you might as well just go to a bar and a restaurant during the six hour layover.
Posted by WestCoastAg
Member since Oct 2012
151146 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 11:54 am to
You are really putting a lot of faith in your initial flight not being delayed. Are yall checking any bags? If so then I would not try this. Even if I wasnt, id still lean to the 6hr layover here. Too much can go wrong thats out of your control
This post was edited on 8/31/26 at 11:56 am
Posted by TulaneLSU
Member since Aug 2003
Member since Dec 2007
13693 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 12:00 pm to
Friend,

It is a dangerous but feasible plan. It would require your LGA flight arrive early or on time. Nowadays it averages around 15 minutes of tarmac time at LGA. If you’re seated at the front of the plane you would probably be fine, but if not add 10-20 minutes for deplaning.

Getting a cab between the two should be easy and assuming no traffic a 20 minute ride. If you had an extra hour I would suggest pizza at Andrew Bellucci’s, Peking duck at Jiang Nan or classic Italian at Don Peppe (cash only).

Seems like it could be a lot of stress or a memorable story or both. Please let us know how it goes if you do it.

Yours,
TulaneLSU
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
131995 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 12:29 pm to
quote:

You are really putting a lot of faith in your initial flight not being delayed.



This is true and the concern. 1) we would be in likely the very first row on every flight so deplaning wouldn’t be too bad. 2) we never check bags if we can avoid it. So no checked bags.

It is a drastic change in schedule for us for the better, but with a lot of risk.

We would go from having to leave MSY at 9:15am, flying to Charlotte, 60 minute layover (I think), then JFk with almost 6 hour layover

To

Leaving at 3pm, direct to LGA landing at 7. Flagship first so at front of plane and priority private security line at JFK.

If the flight is delayed 45 minutes or less we SHOULD be good but it is a risk and a scramble to avoid 7 less hours of travel
Posted by RonFNSwanson
1739 mi from the University of LSU
Member since Mar 2012
24390 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 1:05 pm to
quote:

FYI I ran this through AI and they told me I am fricking nuts and not to do this


I agree with the computer

We had an 8 hour layover in NY one time, left the airport to walk around the city and grab some food. It flew by.
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
131995 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 1:09 pm to
quote:

We had an 8 hour layover in NY one time, left the airport to walk around the city and grab some food. It flew by.



I don't think 6 hours is enough for that...

And if I was going to leave JFK to go all the way to Manhattan...why wouldn't I just do the plan I am thinking about
Posted by RonFNSwanson
1739 mi from the University of LSU
Member since Mar 2012
24390 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 1:11 pm to
Wasn't really suggesting it. More of "8 hours was hardly any time so don't try the crazy shite of catching a ride from one airport to the other and risking traffic or flight delays"
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
50902 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 1:41 pm to
the stress and added moving parts are not worth 6 hrs. Eat a gummy, relax in the lounge and chill
Posted by LSUfan4444
Member since Mar 2004
57406 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 2:07 pm to
Here are my hangups, first, it's Thanksgiving Day and NYC so that in itself would make me concerned about travel delays. I also don't know if you plan to check luggage but since the trip is international, I will assume you are.

In a perfect world, your flight from MSY to LGA arrives on time at 7pm. Flying first should get you off the plane and your bags sooner so lets say you're leaving baggage claim at LGA at 7:25pm.

Travel time between the two can take as little as 30 minutes on the right day to over an hour on others so lets just say it's a 45 minute route and then you have to check bags again at JFK.

JFK arrival at 8:15pm, check bags and going through security at 8:35. Flight will start boarding first class around 9:30 pm.

The way I would look at it is a best case scenario would leave you about 90 minutes to spare but on Thanksgiving day, in NYC I would not expect a best case scenario.
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
131995 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 2:16 pm to
quote:

I also don't know if you plan to check luggage but since the trip is international, I will assume you are.


Absolutely not

Hotels can do laundry
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
41020 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 2:30 pm to
I wouldn't do it. I'd rather rot at the airport than add on those logistics which will burn at least 1.5-2 hours.

I'd maybe consider it if my first flight was like 6am and was going to make my day miserable but if you're not leaving your house until 9am for the first flight then it's whatever.
Posted by LemmyLives
Texas
Member since Mar 2019
17665 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 3:26 pm to
quote:

Hotels can do laundry

Yeah, if work is paying 5 Euro to launder a pair of socks, sure. If you're not on an expense account, one may be able to find a full service laundry within walking distance of your lodging to be charged a reasonable price.
Posted by BlackenedOut
The Big Sleazy
Member since Feb 2011
6076 posts
Posted on 8/31/26 at 4:31 pm to
Can you just fly in the day before, spend the night in NYC, and make chicken salad here?
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram