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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.
#1502
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
I'm planning on booking two separate itineraries that involves a 4 hour layover in ORD.
The first flight is LAX -> ORD and arriving at 12:05 pm in terminal 3.
My connecting flight is ORD -> AMS departing at 4:10 pm in terminal 5.
I've never been to ORD before so is this doable? I will be checking bags and if it makes any difference, this would be on a monday. TIA
The first flight is LAX -> ORD and arriving at 12:05 pm in terminal 3.
My connecting flight is ORD -> AMS departing at 4:10 pm in terminal 5.
I've never been to ORD before so is this doable? I will be checking bags and if it makes any difference, this would be on a monday. TIA
You will arrive on AA into T3, claim your bags, then proceed up and take the train over to T5 where you'll check in and drop your bags again for the KL flight to AMS.
T5 at ORD is absolutely dreadful so you want to spend as little time there as possible.
AA Guide: ORD / Chicago O'Hare International Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.
#1503
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,202
You do not have 4 hours but closer to 3 when you take into account the check in / bag drop cut off time for your ORD-AMS airline.
And given these will be separate tickets neither airline has any duty to rebook you of you miss the onward flight.
Just as an FYI you;ll get far better answers if you give details of which airlines are involved.
And given these will be separate tickets neither airline has any duty to rebook you of you miss the onward flight.
Just as an FYI you;ll get far better answers if you give details of which airlines are involved.
#1505
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,639
Delays do happen. Today, my daughter's flight from ORD to LGA was delayed by two and a half hours due to mechanical issues and subsequent equipment substitution. On separate itineraries involving a connection to an international flight, especially with checked bags (they can get "mishandled"), I strongly advise getting to Chicago the night before.
#1506
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
Disturbing trend at Checkpoint 8 (priority checkpoint next to Flagship check-in) over the past few weeks: the PreCheck lane is being converted to a regular security line when the airport is busy. I came through on a spring break Saturday morning and thought it was a one-off, but this past Friday at 6:45AM (presumably just prior to a peak elite travel time) the lane was once again closed as soon as I made it up to the tensabarriers. Those in line behind me were redirected to the non-PC half of the CP, the line for which was already quite long.
I could understand doing this if the lane was empty/underused like it can be at off-peak travel times for elites, but there were dozens of people in line on both days. I've always relied on having this access as a benefit so that I could arrive without budgeting a ton of extra time, but in both cases the regular PC line was 20-30 minutes long.
I could understand doing this if the lane was empty/underused like it can be at off-peak travel times for elites, but there were dozens of people in line on both days. I've always relied on having this access as a benefit so that I could arrive without budgeting a ton of extra time, but in both cases the regular PC line was 20-30 minutes long.
#1507
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Disturbing trend at Checkpoint 8 (priority checkpoint next to Flagship check-in) over the past few weeks: the PreCheck lane is being converted to a regular security line when the airport is busy. I came through on a spring break Saturday morning and thought it was a one-off, but this past Friday at 6:45AM (presumably just prior to a peak elite travel time) the lane was once again closed as soon as I made it up to the tensabarriers. Those in line behind me were redirected to the non-PC half of the CP, the line for which was already quite long.
I could understand doing this if the lane was empty/underused like it can be at off-peak travel times for elites, but there were dozens of people in line on both days. I've always relied on having this access as a benefit so that I could arrive without budgeting a ton of extra time, but in both cases the regular PC line was 20-30 minutes long.
I could understand doing this if the lane was empty/underused like it can be at off-peak travel times for elites, but there were dozens of people in line on both days. I've always relied on having this access as a benefit so that I could arrive without budgeting a ton of extra time, but in both cases the regular PC line was 20-30 minutes long.
Guarantee if you sign up for pre-check you have access to pre-check.
Guarantee always a pre-check lane open. If more than x people in line open a second pre-check.
Let the regular line run out the door. (Make sure you have same day signup for pre-check at every airport... for an additional fee of course. )
Pre-check becomes a profit center. Simple. Easy. Everyone is happy.
#1508
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,815
Double the pre-check price. Triple the price if needed.
Guarantee if you sign up for pre-check you have access to pre-check.
Guarantee always a pre-check lane open. If more than x people in line open a second pre-check.
Let the regular line run out the door. (Make sure you have same day signup for pre-check at every airport... for an additional fee of course. )
Pre-check becomes a profit center. Simple. Easy. Everyone is happy.
Guarantee if you sign up for pre-check you have access to pre-check.
Guarantee always a pre-check lane open. If more than x people in line open a second pre-check.
Let the regular line run out the door. (Make sure you have same day signup for pre-check at every airport... for an additional fee of course. )
Pre-check becomes a profit center. Simple. Easy. Everyone is happy.
ORD has always had challenges with their security line lengths. I remember once in 2018/2019 that the regular line was 2hrs long. That is, if you didn't know the other lines were 15m long and just went there. Sheeple will be sheeple if they don't use their brains.
#1509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Except the people that don't want to be extorted or pre-processed like criminals.
ORD has always had challenges with their security line lengths. I remember once in 2018/2019 that the regular line was 2hrs long. That is, if you didn't know the other lines were 15m long and just went there. Sheeple will be sheeple if they don't use their brains.
ORD has always had challenges with their security line lengths. I remember once in 2018/2019 that the regular line was 2hrs long. That is, if you didn't know the other lines were 15m long and just went there. Sheeple will be sheeple if they don't use their brains.
Programs cost money. No extortion to get better service.
#1510
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,815
'Paying for better service' sounds like paying the mafia for 'protection'.
Last edited by SamirD; Apr 20, 2023 at 1:51 pm Reason: mafia!
#1511
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Shared ride service vs Uber
Coach vs. First Class
Fast Food vs Fine Dining
Quick pass through security vs long wait
Your choice.
#1512
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,815
And fwiw, I saw people running into issues with long pre lines at ORD and wanting to get in my regular line as it was faster and were being denied. So Pre isn't always faster. In fact, for my regular routes it's slower 50% of the time, so ymmv and I wouldn't want it forced on anyone that doesn't want it.
Last edited by SamirD; Apr 20, 2023 at 2:47 pm Reason: 50%
#1513
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Converting the mandatory security check to a mandatory paid security check is NOT a benefit to everyone.
And fwiw, I saw people running into issues with long pre lines at ORD and wanting to get in my regular line as it was faster and were being denied. So Pre isn't always faster. In fact, for my regular routes it's slower 50% of the time, so ymmv and I wouldn't want it forced on anyone that doesn't want it.
And fwiw, I saw people running into issues with long pre lines at ORD and wanting to get in my regular line as it was faster and were being denied. So Pre isn't always faster. In fact, for my regular routes it's slower 50% of the time, so ymmv and I wouldn't want it forced on anyone that doesn't want it.
No sure how anyone could be denied into the regular line; there is no check to enter the line. (Anyone can use the regular line, even if you have pre-check.)
This system is already mostly in place;
Clear walks you to the front of the line.
AA First walks you to the front of the line in many airports.
So the system is already in place. Letting the government get in and enhance their part with more 'guarantees' of better service to help pay officers it makes sense for everyone.
#1514
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,815
You would need to read my first post - no long lines. No one is forced to have pre-check, even in my scenario. It is akin to GE... you can choose not to do BE or ME... and wait in the sometimes hours long line.
No sure how anyone could be denied into the regular line; there is no check to enter the line. (Anyone can use the regular line, even if you have pre-check.)
This system is already mostly in place;
Clear walks you to the front of the line.
AA First walks you to the front of the line in many airports.
So the system is already in place. Letting the government get in and enhance their part with more 'guarantees' of better service to help pay officers it makes sense for everyone.
No sure how anyone could be denied into the regular line; there is no check to enter the line. (Anyone can use the regular line, even if you have pre-check.)
This system is already mostly in place;
Clear walks you to the front of the line.
AA First walks you to the front of the line in many airports.
So the system is already in place. Letting the government get in and enhance their part with more 'guarantees' of better service to help pay officers it makes sense for everyone.
Not sure at ORD, but at SFO Clear walks you right to or past ID check. At ORD, AA had a priority lane that had about the same traffic as Pre, but was just operated like a regular line.
If you want to up the rates for whatever is already in place, Pre, GE, etc., and then hope that more people will be hired, then sure have at it. Just don't mess with what's going on in the regular line, like take officers away--which is exactly what would be bound to happen and the extra revenue pocketed away somewhere.
#1515
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: SE Wisconsin
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond for Life
Posts: 337
Disturbing trend at Checkpoint 8 (priority checkpoint next to Flagship check-in) over the past few weeks: the PreCheck lane is being converted to a regular security line when the airport is busy. I came through on a spring break Saturday morning and thought it was a one-off, but this past Friday at 6:45AM (presumably just prior to a peak elite travel time) the lane was once again closed as soon as I made it up to the tensabarriers. Those in line behind me were redirected to the non-PC half of the CP, the line for which was already quite long.
I could understand doing this if the lane was empty/underused like it can be at off-peak travel times for elites, but there were dozens of people in line on both days. I've always relied on having this access as a benefit so that I could arrive without budgeting a ton of extra time, but in both cases the regular PC line was 20-30 minutes long.
I could understand doing this if the lane was empty/underused like it can be at off-peak travel times for elites, but there were dozens of people in line on both days. I've always relied on having this access as a benefit so that I could arrive without budgeting a ton of extra time, but in both cases the regular PC line was 20-30 minutes long.
it’s not often in my experience, but it does happen, and I’ve gotten used to looking for the presence or absence of the TSA Pre-Check signage right there at 8. If I don’t see it, I know it must be busy, and I head immediately to 7. Usually there will be multiple agents working and the line moves deceptively fast.
In fact this Monday morning, this was the case. It was actually the longest I’ve seen the Lane 7 PreCheck line, and it appeared to be longer than the general line. A couple people were complaining, and I said, “don’t worry - it’ll go quick!”
Sure enough we all got through in ~10-12 minutes, and the complainers were surprised.
I can come up with all kinds of complaints about Ohare, but security is usually at the bottom of the list.