I meet the overnight flights from New York, here's what I'd tell you
Most of you take the redeye and land in the early morning, about seven hours from JFK with the wind behind you. British Airways comes into Terminal 5, Virgin, Delta and American into Terminal 3, and the Newark flights into Terminal 2. Whichever it is, I'll have tracked the flight overnight and I'm at the barrier when you clear customs, so a short night doesn't turn into a long morning.
The flights, plainly
Small things worth knowing
- London is five hours ahead of New York, so the overnight flight lands mid-morning here and the day is already going.
- Fares are fixed and I'll quote them in dollars or pounds. Cards only, no cash to sort out.
- US passport? You'll need a UK ETA now, £20 on the official app, usually approved in a day. Do it before you fly.
How you'll find me
I'll know your terminal from the flight, British Airways at Terminal 5, Virgin and the rest at Terminal 3, Newark at Terminal 2, and I'm at the barrier there as you come out of baggage reclaim, your name on a board. I carry the cases from there. After an overnight the last thing you want is to hunt for a car, so I make sure the car finds you.
How the fare works
The fare is fixed before you fly and it stays fixed: not for a late flight, not for traffic, not for the time I wait at the barrier. I'll quote it in dollars or pounds once you tell me the flight and where you're staying. Card or account, nothing to settle in the car.
What New York clients actually book me for
A lot of business: the redeye in, then straight to a meeting in the City or Canary Wharf with the car kept on, and the bags held until the hotel can check you in. Beyond work it's the long weekend, theatre and dinners booked tight, a day out to Windsor or the Cotswolds, and the Bicester Village run before the flight home. Tell me the shape of the trip and I'll build the car around it.
Before you book
I land early on the redeye and cannot check in yet, can you help?
Yes. I'll hold the bags, and we can go straight to breakfast, an early meeting, or a first stop while the hotel readies your room. Plenty of New York arrivals do exactly this, and it's all inside the one fixed fare.
Which terminal will I come into?
British Airways from JFK lands at Terminal 5, Virgin, Delta and American at Terminal 3, and United from Newark at Terminal 2. Give me the flight and I'll be at the right barrier, name board up.
What if the flight is delayed overnight?
I track it through the night. However the flight moves, I'm at the rail when you clear customs, and the fixed fare covers the wait, so a delay costs you nothing extra.
What car will I get, and how much luggage fits?
A Mercedes S-Class takes three and their cases; the V-Class takes up to seven with room for the bags. Tell me how many of you there are and how many cases, and I'll send the right one.