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Why this wins: It’s typically the fewest connections you can do to get to Ithaca (just one), with the longest leg done as a nonstop transatlantic flight (big comfort and reliability win). There’s also a daily nonstop JFK → ITH on Delta. citeturn1view0turn0search7turn0search1
What it looks like (time)
- ATH → NYC (JFK) nonstop: ~11 hours average air time. citeturn0search1turn0search5
- JFK → ITH flight time: ~1 hr 26 min average. citeturn0search7
- Add a realistic 2–3 hour connection at JFK (immigration + baggage + re-check if needed + security), and you’re usually around 15–17 hours door-to-door airport-to-airport.
How to book it (so you get the best combo of price + protection)
- Search as one ticket: destination ITH (not NYC). This helps with checked bags and misconnect protection.
- Compare Delta vs partners (Air France/KLM) for ATH→JFK pricing, then ensure the itinerary includes the Delta Connection JFK→ITH segment. citeturn0search1turn1view0
ITH has nonstop service to Washington Dulles (IAD) on United. citeturn1view0
So another clean, “small number of connections” option is to route your transatlantic trip into IAD, then hop IAD → ITH.
Pros
- Usually one connection total (same as the JFK option)
- If you find a sharp fare into IAD, it can beat JFK itineraries
Cons
- ATH → IAD is often not nonstop (commonly 1 stop in Europe), so comfort/travel-time may be slightly worse than ATH→JFK nonstop.
If the NYC→ITH flight adds a lot of cost, you can land in NYC and go overland:
- NYC → Ithaca bus: typically ~4.5–5 hours (varies by service/traffic). citeturn2search2turn2search10
- Drive JFK → Ithaca: roughly 4h 16m (traffic can change this a lot). citeturn2search0
This can be a good “best value” move if the JFK→ITH flight is expensive or the connection options are awkward.
- Start by pricing “ATH → ITH” on Delta (it will typically route you via JFK, with the daily JFK→ITH hop). This is usually the best blend of minimum travel time + comfort with only one connection. citeturn1view0turn0search7turn0search1
- Then price “ATH → ITH” on United (routing you via IAD, since ITH has nonstop to IAD). Choose it if it’s meaningfully cheaper or gives cleaner timings. citeturn1view0turn0search2turn0search9
- If both are pricey: price ATH → NYC (JFK/EWR) and compare against adding an overland bus/car leg. citeturn0search1turn2search2turn2search0
If you tell me (a) whether you prefer arriving earlier in the day vs cheapest, and (b) whether you’ll check a bag, I’ll narrow this to a single “book-this” style itinerary pattern (connection buffer, which hub to prioritize, and the best fallback if weather disrupts regional flights).