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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.
#736
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
Hi,
Could someone give me some advice on connection times at ORD. I'm flying from the UK MAN-ORD-LAS with AA, my original flight gave me 2h 35 mins connection time in ORD but AA have now changed the time of my flight for MAN-ORD and I now only have 65 minutes connection time.
I'm slightly concerned that 65 minutes will not be long enough to collect my checked luggage, go through immigration, drop off the luggage again, change terminals and go through security again. If I couldn't make the connection because there were long queues at immigration or something like that, would AA just book me on another flight? and would that be a direct flight if there is a direct flight later that day?
Also, what would happen with my checked luggage as it would be tagged with the flight number for the flight I had missed, would that somehow end up on the flight I get re-booked on or would I end up having to wait for it at LAS.
Thanks.
Could someone give me some advice on connection times at ORD. I'm flying from the UK MAN-ORD-LAS with AA, my original flight gave me 2h 35 mins connection time in ORD but AA have now changed the time of my flight for MAN-ORD and I now only have 65 minutes connection time.
I'm slightly concerned that 65 minutes will not be long enough to collect my checked luggage, go through immigration, drop off the luggage again, change terminals and go through security again. If I couldn't make the connection because there were long queues at immigration or something like that, would AA just book me on another flight? and would that be a direct flight if there is a direct flight later that day?
Also, what would happen with my checked luggage as it would be tagged with the flight number for the flight I had missed, would that somehow end up on the flight I get re-booked on or would I end up having to wait for it at LAS.
Thanks.
EDIT: I sort of recall an direct MAN-ORD flight on AA, but can no longer find it in the schedules...?
Last edited by Madison Guy; Jan 15, 2018 at 5:48 pm
#737
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
It became seasonal from just after the New Year so you have to look at the right dates. The route has been around for a long time, though the use of a 757 in the off-season has not done much for its popularity.
#738
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
Ah, thanks. I was going to try to compare arrival to LAS departures for the OP for other flight options, but without additional info I guess I won't get too far! lol
#739
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
I just checked and it resumes about June 9 and arrives at 15:45. The next LAS flight is 16:50 and then there is a 20:56. It would be a long wait but it is a fall back. If OP has GE or can use the APC kiosks then the connection might work so it could be worth trying but AA will probably catch it and rebook anyway. There may, of course, be more schedule changes though AA seem to have calmed down a bit of late.
#740
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
I just checked and it resumes about June 9 and arrives at 15:45. The next LAS flight is 16:50 and then there is a 20:56. It would be a long wait but it is a fall back. If OP has GE or can use the APC kiosks then the connection might work so it could be worth trying but AA will probably catch it and rebook anyway. There may, of course, be more schedule changes though AA seem to have calmed down a bit of late.
#741
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PA
Programs: AA-EXP, Marriott(T)
Posts: 208
Cheers,
V
#742
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Programs: British Airways Silver
Posts: 25
Hi everyone, just jumped over from the BA forum looking for some advice.
On Saturday the 27th of this month I’m coming in on the BA295 into Terminal 5 and flying onwards from Terminal 3 to Knoxville. Roughly 3 1/2 hours connection time. I’m flying First on both flights however they are separate tickets so wondering what my options are?
After clearing customs do you think a friendly recheck agent would tag my bag to Knoxville if I could show my AA boarding pass?
If not on transferring to Terminal 3, as a Oneworld Emarald am I right in thinking I’d be entitled to use the Flagship checkin?
Any advice would be most appreciated!
On Saturday the 27th of this month I’m coming in on the BA295 into Terminal 5 and flying onwards from Terminal 3 to Knoxville. Roughly 3 1/2 hours connection time. I’m flying First on both flights however they are separate tickets so wondering what my options are?
After clearing customs do you think a friendly recheck agent would tag my bag to Knoxville if I could show my AA boarding pass?
If not on transferring to Terminal 3, as a Oneworld Emarald am I right in thinking I’d be entitled to use the Flagship checkin?
Any advice would be most appreciated!
#743
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
Hi everyone, just jumped over from the BA forum looking for some advice.
On Saturday the 27th of this month I’m coming in on the BA295 into Terminal 5 and flying onwards from Terminal 3 to Knoxville. Roughly 3 1/2 hours connection time. I’m flying First on both flights however they are separate tickets so wondering what my options are?
After clearing customs do you think a friendly recheck agent would tag my bag to Knoxville if I could show my AA boarding pass?
If not on transferring to Terminal 3, as a Oneworld Emarald am I right in thinking I’d be entitled to use the Flagship checkin?
Any advice would be most appreciated!
On Saturday the 27th of this month I’m coming in on the BA295 into Terminal 5 and flying onwards from Terminal 3 to Knoxville. Roughly 3 1/2 hours connection time. I’m flying First on both flights however they are separate tickets so wondering what my options are?
After clearing customs do you think a friendly recheck agent would tag my bag to Knoxville if I could show my AA boarding pass?
If not on transferring to Terminal 3, as a Oneworld Emarald am I right in thinking I’d be entitled to use the Flagship checkin?
Any advice would be most appreciated!
#744
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
They do have the capability to check bags at the recheck desk so you might be lucky, I'm not sure what the policy is. You should be able to use Flagship checkin and the excellent Flagship lounge. in T3. The inter-terminal train is currently a bus so look out for diversions!
Effective October 2, 2017 thru June 30, 2018, ATS service along the entire system will be shut down nightly from 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. (Mon. through Fri. Nights) weather permitting to enable the construction of the ATS Modernization Project.
http://www.flychicago.com/ohare/ServicesAmenities/services/Pages/ATS.aspx
#745
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
Thanks for clarifying that. I had not noticed that it was only at night but it had seemed that the logistics of a full bus replacement would be pretty bad!
#746
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 32
I believe you now have an illegal connection. (MCT violation - if I'm reading the tables correctly.) Given that you should proactively call your ticketing source (AA, Travel agent, etc.) for rebooking now, not later. There should be no charge.
EDIT: I sort of recall an direct MAN-ORD flight on AA, but can no longer find it in the schedules...?
EDIT: I sort of recall an direct MAN-ORD flight on AA, but can no longer find it in the schedules...?
#747
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
I called AA and they said the connection time of 65 minutes is fine. I said that I don't think 65 minutes is enough time considering that I'm coming off an international flight and I have to go through immigration. AA advised that everything is done pre-check at Manchester which I've never heard of before, am I being given incorrect information by AA?
#748
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 32
Based on this I believe AA is not correct - however the page shows it was last updated June 2017. I personally have not flown out of MAN, but AA computers generally compute the MCT correctly IME. (Now agents on the other hand... )
#749
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
I do see it though AA55 (787-800) 1:15 PM - 3:45 PM
and the flt # goes on AA55 (737-800) 4:50 PM - 6:49 PM
IF there is preclearance at MAN, then I'd assume MCT is 50 mins just like Ireland flights - but I'm just not seeing that they have it on the CBP pages. But if they do have it, then you'd arrive like any other domestic and 65 mins is fine - unless of course IRROPS occur.
Last edited by Madison Guy; Jan 17, 2018 at 3:07 pm
#750
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 32
Perhaps those with far more knowledge than I can chime in...
I do see it though AA55 (787-800) 1:15 PM - 3:45 PM
and the flt # goes on AA55 (737-800) 4:50 PM - 6:49 PM
IF there is preclearance at MAN, then I'd assume MCT is 50 mins just like Ireland flights - but I'm just not seeing that they have it on the CBP pages. But if they do have it, then you'd arrive like any other domestic and 65 mins is fine - unless of course IRROPS occur.
I do see it though AA55 (787-800) 1:15 PM - 3:45 PM
and the flt # goes on AA55 (737-800) 4:50 PM - 6:49 PM
IF there is preclearance at MAN, then I'd assume MCT is 50 mins just like Ireland flights - but I'm just not seeing that they have it on the CBP pages. But if they do have it, then you'd arrive like any other domestic and 65 mins is fine - unless of course IRROPS occur.