After an international flight into JFK or Newark, getting through immigration (passport control), baggage claim and customs can take anywhere from about 30 minutes to two hours or more. The biggest factors are how many flights arrive at once, your passport and program (U.S. citizens and Global Entry members usually move fastest) and how quickly bags arrive. A professional car service tracks your flight and waits, so you don’t need to predict the exact time.

What affects the wait

Factor Effect
Arrival bank Many flights landing together create longer lines
Passport type U.S. citizens and residents often move faster
Global Entry Kiosks can dramatically reduce waiting
Mobile Passport Control app Can speed eligible travelers through a dedicated lane
Checked bags Waiting at the carousel often takes the longest
Secondary inspection Random or targeted checks add time

Typical timelines

  • Global Entry, carry-on only: sometimes under 30 minutes.
  • U.S. citizen with checked bags: often 45–75 minutes.
  • Visitors at a busy time: can exceed 90 minutes.

These are rough guides; waits vary daily.

Ways to speed it up

  1. Global Entry — see Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck vs CLEAR.
  2. Mobile Passport Control, a free app from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for eligible travelers.
  3. Travel carry-on only when possible.
  4. Have documents ready, including any customs declarations required.

How your chauffeur handles it

With flight tracking, your chauffeur knows when you land and allows standard international waiting time — we include 60 minutes of complimentary waiting after international arrivals. Send a text when you’ve cleared customs so your chauffeur can be ready at the curb or waiting inside. Read flight delayed: what happens to your car.

Plan your ride

See JFK Airport and Newark Airport car service, and meet and greet explained.