Is a one hour layover in Boston possible?

Question

I am travelling back from Orlando to London via Boston in August with Jet Blue. My original flight was a via JFK and was a 4hr 3 hour layover but JetBlue changed my itinerary yesterday.

There is a better flight still available via JFK but it adds 4 hours onto my total journey time.

JetBlue have said their minimum transfer time is 35mins so because eof that they won't amend the booking without charging a fee.

I'll have checked bags as well and never transferred anywhere in the US so unsure how it all works.

I feel like this is a disaster waiting to happen! Anyone able to put my mind at rest or back up my fears with experience?

Answer

Transferring through Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) with a one-hour layover is technically possible, but it comes with some risks, especially for international travel with checked baggage.

Key Considerations:

International Connection: Since your final destination is London, you will go through U.S. customs and immigration at Boston if this is your first U.S. entry point (even if JetBlue is your only airline). This process can be time-consuming and often takes 30–60 minutes, sometimes longer during peak travel times.
Checked Bags: If you have checked luggage, it will need to be claimed at Boston for customs inspection, then re-checked onto your connecting flight. This adds extra time compared to carry-on only.
Terminal Transfers: JetBlue typically operates out of Terminal C at Boston, but you should confirm both arrival and departure terminals. Walking between terminals or using airport shuttles can take additional time.
Boarding Time: International flights begin boarding around 45 minutes before departure, meaning the effective transfer window may be significantly less than one hour.

Practical Advice:

Many travelers report successful connections with 60–75 minute layovers at Logan for domestic-to-international flights, but these often assume no checked baggage or expedited customs processing.
If anything goes slightly wrong—flight delay, long customs lines, or gate distance—you risk missing your connecting flight.
Given your concern and the fact that you have checked bags, a 4-hour layover via JFK is a safer and less stressful option, despite adding extra total travel time.
Contact JetBlue and ask specifically whether your bag will be transferred automatically or if you must clear customs and re-check it in Boston. This can affect whether the one-hour layover is feasible.

Summary:

While JetBlue’s minimum connection time of 35 minutes meets airline standards, for an international connection with checked baggage, a one-hour layover at BOS is extremely tight and risky. You could make it if everything runs perfectly, but any delay could result in missing your flight. Choosing the slightly longer layover via JFK provides peace of mind and ensures a smoother transfer.

Is a one hour layover in Boston possible?

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