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At Chicago O’Hare (ORD), American Airlines operates out of Terminal 3
AA Ticket counters Open daily: 3:30am to 10:00pm
Flagship Check-in: Yes
Five Star Service: Yes
Curbside check-in: International only
Check-in times
In most locations, you must be checked in:
At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States
At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to or from airports outside of the United States
Peculiarities:
ORD can be affected by winter storms or very heavy air traffic; ground holds even at incoming flights' departures airports, are not uncommon at these times. Knock-on effects during lengthy IROPS can manifest themselves systemwide.
NOTE: AA has 66 gates at Terminal 3, and has added five more at Concourse.Alaska, Iberia, and Japan Airlines all depart AA T-3. Alaska has moved to Terminal 2. All international arrivals are at Terminal 5, many international departures as well. AB, BA, CX, EY, QR, RJ depart T-5.
International arrivals from Canada airports without USCBP pre-clearance are sometimes listed as arriving at "IAB" - International Arrivals Building. These aircraft's passengers will not arrive at T-3 as domestic passengers; by Federal law, they must be cleared by USCBP, and that facility is at T-5.
There is no airside connection T-3 <--> T-5; one must go landside and use the free "ATS" airport train. Flyers connecting to BA departing T-5 may use the airside shuttle bus departing near gates G17 and K20. Every half hour 11 am - 9 pm. Sign with orange dot. TTB SERVICE HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED - TTB service takes travelers from the domestic terminals (1, 2, & 3) to Terminal 5 without having to exit security or be rescreened in Terminal 5 at the TSA checkpoint. [Still suspended as of 4/30/2022] Airside connection has been restored March 1, 2023 - SEE BELOW
Operating terminals and gates
Terminal 1 is used by All Nippon Airlines (Departures), Ethiopian (Departures), Lufthansa (Departures), and United.
Terminal 2 is used by Air Canada, Alaska,Delta, and previously US Airways, jetBlue, along with many United Express flights.
Terminal 3 is used byAlaska Airlines, American Airlines and for departures only by Iberia and Japan Airlines (exception: arriving international flights that have been USCBP cleared, e.g. originating in Canada or DUB, arrive at Terminal 3 as domestic flights). Other airlines flying domestically and not mentioned above are also handled in Terminal 3.
Concourse G is used mostly for American Eagle flights
Concourse H and K are used for mainline flights
Concourse K gates 12-20 are typically used for international flights
Concourse L is used mostly for American Eagle flights (as well as non-oneworld carriers)
Terminal 5 is now both an international and domestic terminal. Among the international flights, the following oneworld carriers depart and arrive here: British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Qatar Airways, and Royal Jordanian; arriving international American Airlines, Iberia and Japan Airlines flights all arrive here as well. In fact, all arriving international passengers from places without pre-clearance will arrive at Terminal 5.
Domestic carriers now using Terminal 5 are: Delta and Delta Shuttle, Frontier, Southwest, and Sun Country.
Getting from terminal to terminal
Landside transfers are normally done by using the Airport Transit System train, which also connects to the airport car parks.The ATS is currently out of service with substitute buses operating at present. April 18, 2022: ATS service has been fully restored and is operating 24/7 daily.
Terminals are connected by frequent landside buses, and AA T3 - International T5 are connected by an airside Terminal Transit Bus (TTB). If you have a boarding pass for your connection (or a printed itinerary of flight confirmation), you can use this bus, boarding at G17 or K20 and arriving airside at T5 Gate M1. The TTB runs 7 days a week, 1100 / 11 am to 2100 / 9 pm while the ATS is shut down, but seasonally and with shorter hours when it is. At other times you must exit landside and use the landside bus.
If you arrive at O'Hare on an international flight you will arrive at Terminal 5. If you have a connecting domestic flight from T1-2-3. You must use the landside bus to T3 after you process Immigration and exit Customs. You will be required to pass through security at T3. Landside busses are frequent. May 1, 2022: Shuttle buses ended.
Airside:
walking corridors connect Terminals 1, 2 and 3 between terminals. (ATS landslide train must be used to connect to or from Terminal 5 outside of shuttle bus operating times.)
For those holding boarding passes on same day flights out of Terminal 5 (International Terminal), a shuttle bus will operate from T-3 (From Gates G17 and K20) to T-5 (Gate M13) between 11:30 am and 9:30 pm.[Still suspended as of 4/30/2022] March 1, 2023: Service restored. Connecting Traveler Information
Walking between terminals
Walking airside between terminals airside is possible (other than Terminal 5). There are no shortcuts and it can take significant time.
Arrival at the airport:
Within the U.S. as well as flights to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, check in:
At least 30 minutes prior to departure (if not checking bags)
At least 45 minutes prior to departure when checking bags
For flights to international destinations check in:
At least two hours prior to departure to complete all necessary international requirements
Minimum time for checking in and arriving at the gate
To better ensure an on-time departure, our goal is to close the jetbridge door 10 minutes before departure time. This allows all customers to board and stow their belongings. (AA may release your seat if you show up at your gates less than 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure.)
To retain your pre-reserved seat on a confirmed flight, make sure to follow the minimum check in and gate arrival times.*
Time to baggage delivery:
minimum 20 minutes
Security at ORD
May 2016: security queues have been quite lengthy at times, requiring up to an hour to pass through security, even at PreCheck queues. Options include:
If you have Flagship Check-In privileges, they will place you at the head of the security queue next to that check-in area.
You may choose to process security at Terminal 2 and walk airside to the AA gates (UA is only slightly better than AA). If you have CLEAR, you might want to consider clearing security here.
The mid-terminal Pre-Check line tends to be better than the one at priority security.
Note: coming out from International Terminal Arrivals immigration and customs, you are landside and may find yourself with two options: leave the building land side, or take the escalators or lifts to the ATS train platform to proceed to the other terminals or remote parking lot. To access the other terminals, you will have to process through TSA security.
What is the domestic to domestic or to international Minimum Connection Time (MCT)?
The minimum connect time at ORD, domestic to domestic or international, is 0:40 minutes. Domestic to international is easy if your international flight departs the AA terminal, but domestic to International terminal is comfortably done in 2:00 (not the official MCT, 1:15), because of the lack of connectedness between terminals. International arrival at Terminal 5 with flight departing Terminal 3, Global Entry is likely to allow 2:00 or even less, but non-U.S. or Canadian passport holders with checked baggage might use 3:00 as a better guideline.
If I am making an international to international connection, what is the process?
There is no international transit process in nearly all airports in the USA (MIA has a baggage exception for international to international). Arriving internationally, unless you have been pre-cleared, you must proceed through U. S. immigration (there are kiosks and a fast channel for Global Entry approved passengers), recover your baggage from the baggage carousel and proceed through U. S. Customs. There is a "green line" shortcut for passengers traveling only with carry-on baggage (no checked luggage) which is called "1 Stop" and there are Global Entry kiosks and there have fairly recently been dedicated Global Entry customs lines added, which ORD lacked for a very long time. Global Entry kiosks are located both in the central part of the main immigration hall area, as well as in the hall next to the 1-Stop exit.
Upon exiting Customs there is a bag drop facility; drop your checked baggage, exit to the landside arrivals area. Proceed to the the AA terminal on the ATS train, to counters or kiosks to get boarding passes for your ongoing travel, then proceed through TSA security to airside.
At Chicago O’Hare (ORD), American Airlines operates out of Terminal 3
AA Ticket counters Open daily: 3:30am to 10:00pm
Flagship Check-in: Yes
Five Star Service: Yes
Curbside check-in: International only
Check-in times
In most locations, you must be checked in:
At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States
At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to or from airports outside of the United States
Peculiarities:
ORD can be affected by winter storms or very heavy air traffic; ground holds even at incoming flights' departures airports, are not uncommon at these times. Knock-on effects during lengthy IROPS can manifest themselves systemwide.
NOTE: AA has 66 gates at Terminal 3, and has added five more at Concourse.
International arrivals from Canada airports without USCBP pre-clearance are sometimes listed as arriving at "IAB" - International Arrivals Building. These aircraft's passengers will not arrive at T-3 as domestic passengers; by Federal law, they must be cleared by USCBP, and that facility is at T-5.
Operating terminals and gates
Terminal 1 is used by All Nippon Airlines (Departures), Ethiopian (Departures), Lufthansa (Departures), and United.
Terminal 2 is used by Air Canada, Alaska,
Terminal 3 is used by
Concourse G is used mostly for American Eagle flights
Concourse H and K are used for mainline flights
Concourse K gates 12-20 are typically used for international flights
Concourse L is used mostly for American Eagle flights (as well as non-oneworld carriers)
Terminal 5 is now both an international and domestic terminal. Among the international flights, the following oneworld carriers depart and arrive here: British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Qatar Airways, and Royal Jordanian; arriving international American Airlines, Iberia and Japan Airlines flights all arrive here as well. In fact, all arriving international passengers from places without pre-clearance will arrive at Terminal 5.
Domestic carriers now using Terminal 5 are: Delta and Delta Shuttle, Frontier, Southwest, and Sun Country.
Getting from terminal to terminal
Landside transfers are normally done by using the Airport Transit System train, which also connects to the airport car parks.
If you arrive at O'Hare on an international flight you will arrive at Terminal 5. If you have a connecting domestic flight from T1-2-3. You must use the landside bus to T3 after you process Immigration and exit Customs. You will be required to pass through security at T3. Landside busses are frequent.
Airside:
walking corridors connect Terminals 1, 2 and 3 between terminals. (ATS landslide train must be used to connect to or from Terminal 5 outside of shuttle bus operating times.)
For those holding boarding passes on same day flights out of Terminal 5 (International Terminal), a shuttle bus will operate from T-3 (From Gates G17 and K20) to T-5 (Gate M13) between 11:30 am and 9:30 pm.
Walking between terminals
Walking airside between terminals airside is possible (other than Terminal 5). There are no shortcuts and it can take significant time.
Arrival at the airport:
Within the U.S. as well as flights to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, check in:
At least 30 minutes prior to departure (if not checking bags)
At least 45 minutes prior to departure when checking bags
For flights to international destinations check in:
At least two hours prior to departure to complete all necessary international requirements
Minimum time for checking in and arriving at the gate
To better ensure an on-time departure, our goal is to close the jetbridge door 10 minutes before departure time. This allows all customers to board and stow their belongings. (AA may release your seat if you show up at your gates less than 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure.)
To retain your pre-reserved seat on a confirmed flight, make sure to follow the minimum check in and gate arrival times.*
Time to baggage delivery:
minimum 20 minutes
Security at ORD
May 2016: security queues have been quite lengthy at times, requiring up to an hour to pass through security, even at PreCheck queues. Options include:
If you have Flagship Check-In privileges, they will place you at the head of the security queue next to that check-in area.
You may choose to process security at Terminal 2 and walk airside to the AA gates (UA is only slightly better than AA). If you have CLEAR, you might want to consider clearing security here.
The mid-terminal Pre-Check line tends to be better than the one at priority security.
Note: coming out from International Terminal Arrivals immigration and customs, you are landside and may find yourself with two options: leave the building land side, or take the escalators or lifts to the ATS train platform to proceed to the other terminals or remote parking lot. To access the other terminals, you will have to process through TSA security.
What is the domestic to domestic or to international Minimum Connection Time (MCT)?
The minimum connect time at ORD, domestic to domestic or international, is 0:40 minutes. Domestic to international is easy if your international flight departs the AA terminal, but domestic to International terminal is comfortably done in 2:00 (not the official MCT, 1:15), because of the lack of connectedness between terminals. International arrival at Terminal 5 with flight departing Terminal 3, Global Entry is likely to allow 2:00 or even less, but non-U.S. or Canadian passport holders with checked baggage might use 3:00 as a better guideline.
If I am making an international to international connection, what is the process?
There is no international transit process in nearly all airports in the USA (MIA has a baggage exception for international to international). Arriving internationally, unless you have been pre-cleared, you must proceed through U. S. immigration (there are kiosks and a fast channel for Global Entry approved passengers), recover your baggage from the baggage carousel and proceed through U. S. Customs. There is a "green line" shortcut for passengers traveling only with carry-on baggage (no checked luggage) which is called "1 Stop" and there are Global Entry kiosks and there have fairly recently been dedicated Global Entry customs lines added, which ORD lacked for a very long time. Global Entry kiosks are located both in the central part of the main immigration hall area, as well as in the hall next to the 1-Stop exit.
Upon exiting Customs there is a bag drop facility; drop your checked baggage, exit to the landside arrivals area. Proceed to the the AA terminal on the ATS train, to counters or kiosks to get boarding passes for your ongoing travel, then proceed through TSA security to airside.
AA Guide: ORD / Chicago O'Hare International Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.
#31
Join Date: May 2009
Location: IND || CMI
Programs: AA EXP 1M, Marriott LT Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 631
if the flights are on-time ... you will have plenty of time to traverse the airports. You will probably land in the H concourse and will probably leave the K Concourse ... RTT from the farthest points between those two is no more then 5 minutes.
Now if you live the dream like me and enjoy the fine living of AE of G17/G19/G21 .... that can take a bit longer ... the big question is .. is it the bourbon at the AC that gets in the way or the long walk .... hmmm.
Now if you live the dream like me and enjoy the fine living of AE of G17/G19/G21 .... that can take a bit longer ... the big question is .. is it the bourbon at the AC that gets in the way or the long walk .... hmmm.
#32
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,922
If all goes well it will probably work. The DUB flight will probably leave from the H-K gates whereas today the LAS flight is coming into an L gate, which is a good walk away. It is, however, running 47 minutes early. You just walk airside between the gates so it is a matter of how fast you walk, boarding would start about the time you are due to land and for an international flight you should be present 30 minutes before departure which would give you just enough time. Sit near the front!
#33
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
i am flying from Vegas to Chicago O'Hare and then onto Dublin
26th May 14
Dep Vegas 1200hrs
Arr Chicago 1745hrs
Dep Chicago 1830hrs
Arr Dublin 0800hrs
this flight was booked through a 3rd party and i have just noticed the 45 min gap between landing in Chicago and departing Chicago we land in Terminal 3 and leave from terminal 3
both legs are with AA so will bags be transferred automaticly? I am a UK citizen so will i have to go through security again in Chicago?
so is 45 minutes enough time?
26th May 14
Dep Vegas 1200hrs
Arr Chicago 1745hrs
Dep Chicago 1830hrs
Arr Dublin 0800hrs
this flight was booked through a 3rd party and i have just noticed the 45 min gap between landing in Chicago and departing Chicago we land in Terminal 3 and leave from terminal 3
both legs are with AA so will bags be transferred automaticly? I am a UK citizen so will i have to go through security again in Chicago?
so is 45 minutes enough time?
Please note the sticky at the top of the consolidated thread which is titled Welcome to the New American Airlines Forum! PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING. With all of the changes about, it is important to know where to post, and reading that thread before posting (as the title suggests ) will help get you in the right place.
~Moderator
#34
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
As others have said, you should be alright. If you make the plane, bags will most likely make it as well. K4 seems to be the preferred gate for 2224, and even if you have to walk down to the widebody gates at the end of the H or K concourses (which you shouldn't, as the route is served by a 75L), a brisk walk will have you there in less than five minutes.
As a backup, however, I would familiarize yourself with alternatives that would get you to DUB should you miss the flight. There is a direct EI flight to DUB that leaves at 20:00, or 3 AA/BA flights that you could be rebooked on through LHR.
As a backup, however, I would familiarize yourself with alternatives that would get you to DUB should you miss the flight. There is a direct EI flight to DUB that leaves at 20:00, or 3 AA/BA flights that you could be rebooked on through LHR.
#35
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Diego
Programs: AA lifetime Gold March 2010
Posts: 86
Conection time in ORD - Air Berlin?
We have a flight booked connecting from AA to AB - only a 45 mins between flights. The airport map looks like AB is in the same terminal as AA. Will we make it???
CT
CT
#36
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EP, UA Gold-MM, UA 1K (former), GS (former),SPG LT Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,299
According to this website the MCT from Domestic to International is 35 minutes.
#37
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K/2MM, Marriott Platinum Premier Lifetime
Posts: 357
AB departs from the same terminal (terminal #3) as AA domestic arrivals. 45 minutes should be enough time. ORD is very small and should take at most 10-15 minutes to walk from gate to gate. (Note the "G" American Eagle gates are a bit farther as are the US Air terminal 2 gates - but all within 20 minutes at a brisk pace).
According to this website the MCT from Domestic to International is 35 minutes.
According to this website the MCT from Domestic to International is 35 minutes.
Summer flight delays. Ugh!
#38
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
If your flight arrives on time, you'll be fine. Assuming you're coming from SAN, you'll be flying mainline, so you will arrive at an H or K gate and likely leave from a high K gate, which is a 10 minute walk, tops.
The good news is that if your flight is sufficiently delayed, there are 5 later flights to LHR that AA can rebook you on to get to TXL.
The good news is that if your flight is sufficiently delayed, there are 5 later flights to LHR that AA can rebook you on to get to TXL.
#41
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BMI
Programs: AA EXP, Delta, Amtrak, Hertz PC
Posts: 656
45 minutes feels really tight.
Like already said, you are probably looking at a 20 minutes walk gate to gate. US uses concourse F (or sometimes E7?) in terminal 2 . The walk to the end of concourse K in terminal 3 is about 2/3 - 3/4 of a mile.
Terminal 2 can be really crowded where the two concourses come together (E & F). Add 5 - 10 minutes to deplane (depending on where you are sitting), and the requirement that you be at the gate 15 minutes before departure (more for international flights?), you really aren't leaving any extra time there.
There are pretty frequent flights between US and AA on PHX-ORD, I would try to get an earlier one.
Like already said, you are probably looking at a 20 minutes walk gate to gate. US uses concourse F (or sometimes E7?) in terminal 2 . The walk to the end of concourse K in terminal 3 is about 2/3 - 3/4 of a mile.
Terminal 2 can be really crowded where the two concourses come together (E & F). Add 5 - 10 minutes to deplane (depending on where you are sitting), and the requirement that you be at the gate 15 minutes before departure (more for international flights?), you really aren't leaving any extra time there.
There are pretty frequent flights between US and AA on PHX-ORD, I would try to get an earlier one.
#42
Just received a shedule change from AA. With the new shedule our connection time in ORD is exactly 1h25. This is apparently the minimum connection time in ORD but seems tight to me.
We will be arriving on IB (international) at 2.10PM. If I'm not mistaken in T5.
And we're connecting to an AA domestic flight (T3) sheduled to depart 3.35PM
Is this realistic? Could there be some kind of priority service for border control? I read in other forums that AA seems to offer this sometimes for people with short connection times.
We will be arriving on IB (international) at 2.10PM. If I'm not mistaken in T5.
And we're connecting to an AA domestic flight (T3) sheduled to depart 3.35PM
Is this realistic? Could there be some kind of priority service for border control? I read in other forums that AA seems to offer this sometimes for people with short connection times.
#43
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
Just received a shedule change from AA. With the new shedule our connection time in ORD is exactly 1h25. This is apparently the minimum connection time in ORD but seems tight to me.
We will be arriving on IB (international) at 2.10PM. If I'm not mistaken in T5.
And we're connecting to an AA domestic flight (T3) sheduled to depart 3.35PM
Is this realistic? Could there be some kind of priority service for border control? I read in other forums that AA seems to offer this sometimes for people with short connection times.
We will be arriving on IB (international) at 2.10PM. If I'm not mistaken in T5.
And we're connecting to an AA domestic flight (T3) sheduled to depart 3.35PM
Is this realistic? Could there be some kind of priority service for border control? I read in other forums that AA seems to offer this sometimes for people with short connection times.
Once you've exited customs, make your way upstairs to the tram and take it one stop to T3.
A year ago, I would have said your chances of making the connection were low, but provided your plane arrives on time and you walk quickly, I think you'll be alright.
#44
2pm is a fairly busy time of day at T5, so it will be a pretty tight connection. AA generally has someone waiting on the jetbridge with express immigration and security passes, which should help somewhat, but even if they don't, immigration processing times are down quite a bit with the introduction of APC kiosks for citizens and those eligible for visa waivers.
Once you've exited customs, make your way upstairs to the tram and take it one stop to T3.
A year ago, I would have said your chances of making the connection were low, but provided your plane arrives on time and you walk quickly, I think you'll be alright.
Once you've exited customs, make your way upstairs to the tram and take it one stop to T3.
A year ago, I would have said your chances of making the connection were low, but provided your plane arrives on time and you walk quickly, I think you'll be alright.
To be sure I checked our next segments and if we wouldn't make our connection we could still make it to our final destination on the same day, just about 3h late. (gives at least some ease of mind )
#45
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,308
Eagle to mainline transfer
Hi
For some reason, I booked a ridiculous connection time, most likely to get home at a decent time.
I thought having only carry on would make it easier but I now think it's harder.
Tomorrow I am leaving CWA (Wausau Wisconsin) at 3:15 pm, arriving at gate G17 (ouch). My Ord-lax flight leaves at 5pm at H16.
On the way in, retrieving the gate checked carryon was a good 8 minutes.
Should I do regular check in for the bag? I'm going home, if it doesn't make it on my flight, that's ok. Although it means a while at lax sorting it out, it will save me a few minutes at ORD.
The next flight is 7:10 pm. Should I just bite the bullet and change flights? It means taking a window seat instead of 16d (aisle with the seat next to it blocked)? Then I know I wouldn't get a middle seat if I missed the 5pm.
Both flights have low upgrade chances (f1 at 5pm, f2 at 7:10 pm) ; I'd probably change flights if the upgrade chances were better on the later flight.
Thanks in advance.
For some reason, I booked a ridiculous connection time, most likely to get home at a decent time.
I thought having only carry on would make it easier but I now think it's harder.
Tomorrow I am leaving CWA (Wausau Wisconsin) at 3:15 pm, arriving at gate G17 (ouch). My Ord-lax flight leaves at 5pm at H16.
On the way in, retrieving the gate checked carryon was a good 8 minutes.
Should I do regular check in for the bag? I'm going home, if it doesn't make it on my flight, that's ok. Although it means a while at lax sorting it out, it will save me a few minutes at ORD.
The next flight is 7:10 pm. Should I just bite the bullet and change flights? It means taking a window seat instead of 16d (aisle with the seat next to it blocked)? Then I know I wouldn't get a middle seat if I missed the 5pm.
Both flights have low upgrade chances (f1 at 5pm, f2 at 7:10 pm) ; I'd probably change flights if the upgrade chances were better on the later flight.
Thanks in advance.