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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.
#151
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
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#152
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AY is not currently flying to ORD but will start this seasonal service on 13JUN15. The City of Chicago probably won't get around to updating the website until the service actually starts. I guess it's possible that AY might operate from T3 and we just don't know it yet.
#153
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There is minimum connection time, and there is sensible connection time. 39 minute connection at ORD meets the minimum, but I don't consider it sensible, and its a no-go if you have to change terminals. Any delays on SEA-ORD and your connection is kaput. Keep in mind you need to be present at the gate when boarding starts (usually 30 minutes prior to departure) so you really have only 9 minutes to get to your gate for the AY flight.
Is this some new AA rule? Where did you hear this?
It's not true.
#154
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One more question, please.
There is a AY flight from Helsinki to Lulea, Sweden that leaves ~28 hrs after my arrival in HEL. If that AY flight is the first departure (award or purchased travel) after my arrival, I should be able to include it in the 30k reservation even though it's more than 24 hrs after arrival to HEL, correct?
There is a AY flight from Helsinki to Lulea, Sweden that leaves ~28 hrs after my arrival in HEL. If that AY flight is the first departure (award or purchased travel) after my arrival, I should be able to include it in the 30k reservation even though it's more than 24 hrs after arrival to HEL, correct?
#155
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,645
Sometimes, boarding can go really really fast. Your name is called, you are not around, gate closes. Plane gone.
Whether the GAs acted rightfully or not when closing the door early is irrelevant, the fact is that you missed your flight.
#156
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
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Posts: 21,422
^ That's the best solution of all.
Question: if the OP had booked the 39 minute connection, and then learned a few days later that it was a T3->T5 connection, and was successfully able to convince AA that this was indeed true (as their systems are obviously showing T3->T3), would they then force a seat on an earlier ORD-SEA flight? (Assume it has lots of availability in the cabin: just no award availability.) I can't imagine that they would invalidate the entire ticket...or would they?
Question: if the OP had booked the 39 minute connection, and then learned a few days later that it was a T3->T5 connection, and was successfully able to convince AA that this was indeed true (as their systems are obviously showing T3->T3), would they then force a seat on an earlier ORD-SEA flight? (Assume it has lots of availability in the cabin: just no award availability.) I can't imagine that they would invalidate the entire ticket...or would they?
#157
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,595
At the time of post, it hadn't been ticketed - I suspect that at time of ticketing , the MCT would have reared its ugly head.
#158
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 468
^ That's the best solution of all.
Question: if the OP had booked the 39 minute connection, and then learned a few days later that it was a T3->T5 connection, and was successfully able to convince AA that this was indeed true (as their systems are obviously showing T3->T3), would they then force a seat on an earlier ORD-SEA flight? (Assume it has lots of availability in the cabin: just no award availability.) I can't imagine that they would invalidate the entire ticket...or would they?
Question: if the OP had booked the 39 minute connection, and then learned a few days later that it was a T3->T5 connection, and was successfully able to convince AA that this was indeed true (as their systems are obviously showing T3->T3), would they then force a seat on an earlier ORD-SEA flight? (Assume it has lots of availability in the cabin: just no award availability.) I can't imagine that they would invalidate the entire ticket...or would they?
There is no specific rule, but I think this would seem fall under the same rules where an AA schedule change causes a connection to become illegal. In the past, schedule changes of this nature on award travel allowed the pax great flexibility in picking new flights, rebooking in the lowest available inventory on AA metal.
#159
Join Date: Jun 2012
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I think a lot of the problem here is that the MCT on file for AA-AY was for when "AY" represented a codeshare on AA. Specifically meaning that the connection was really AA-AA but was marketed as AA-AY*(AA). I just looked at OAG's MCT file that I receive periodically and this seems to confirm that notion.
Now that AY is going to be flying ORD-HEL instead of AA, it appears that AY has not updated their MCT records at ORD. The important thing to note is that when it comes to MCT records, it is always the departing carrier (in this case AY) who sets the desired time and files the appropriate records.
Now that AY is going to be flying ORD-HEL instead of AA, it appears that AY has not updated their MCT records at ORD. The important thing to note is that when it comes to MCT records, it is always the departing carrier (in this case AY) who sets the desired time and files the appropriate records.
#160
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,595
I think a lot of the problem here is that the MCT on file for AA-AY was for when "AY" represented a codeshare on AA. Specifically meaning that the connection was really AA-AA but was marketed as AA-AY*(AA). I just looked at OAG's MCT file that I receive periodically and this seems to confirm that notion.
Now that AY is going to be flying ORD-HEL instead of AA, it appears that AY has not updated their MCT records at ORD. The important thing to note is that when it comes to MCT records, it is always the departing carrier (in this case AY) who sets the desired time and files the appropriate records.
Now that AY is going to be flying ORD-HEL instead of AA, it appears that AY has not updated their MCT records at ORD. The important thing to note is that when it comes to MCT records, it is always the departing carrier (in this case AY) who sets the desired time and files the appropriate records.
Holding a seat on a flight is not the same as actually having it ticketed
#161
Join Date: Jun 2010
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1. Baggage is the least of your worries. It's got a lot less distance to travel from the inbound to the outbound and it doesn't have to reclear security.
2. AA's obgligations are to refund or rebook you at its option. As a practical matter, AA will rebook you, but as an award passenger it will likely stick within OW.
My recommendation is to do the homework now. Given the 95% chance you will likely need it. Be prepared with specific flights you want (including BA, as you won't get tagged for the fees on a misconnect). E.g., ORD-LHR-HEL.
You can also call AA and beg.
2. AA's obgligations are to refund or rebook you at its option. As a practical matter, AA will rebook you, but as an award passenger it will likely stick within OW.
My recommendation is to do the homework now. Given the 95% chance you will likely need it. Be prepared with specific flights you want (including BA, as you won't get tagged for the fees on a misconnect). E.g., ORD-LHR-HEL.
You can also call AA and beg.
If ORD requires a change of the terminal, then there's no way OP will make it unless they hold the flight.
#162
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From ExpertFlyer MCT lookup, entering an AA-AY, D-to-I connection at ORD:
Code:
STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I. ONLINE .50 1.15 1.30 1.30 OFFLINE .50 1.15 1.30 1.30 ** OR * ARE ALL AA-AY DI .50 EQP W - ALL TRM 3 - ** CANADA - ALL AA-AY DI .40 EQP W - ALL TRM 3 - ** AA-AY DI .45 TRM 3 - ** CANADA - ALL AA-AY DI .35 TRM 3 - ** **-AY DI .50 AA-** DI SUP FLT 6000 - 9099 - ALL
#163
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC, SLC, LAX
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The chance that AA.com allows an MCT and it gets "caught" in ticketing is virtually nill, I'm afraid. It's all Sabre doing its thing.
#164
Join Date: Dec 2005
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One more question, please.
There is a AY flight from Helsinki to Lulea, Sweden that leaves ~28 hrs after my arrival in HEL. If that AY flight is the first departure (award or purchased travel) after my arrival, I should be able to include it in the 30k reservation even though it's more than 24 hrs after arrival to HEL, correct?
There is a AY flight from Helsinki to Lulea, Sweden that leaves ~28 hrs after my arrival in HEL. If that AY flight is the first departure (award or purchased travel) after my arrival, I should be able to include it in the 30k reservation even though it's more than 24 hrs after arrival to HEL, correct?
I dont think they will allow this. You need to take a later flight into HEL
#165
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Washington, D.C.
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From ExpertFlyer MCT lookup, entering an AA-AY, D-to-I connection at ORD:
Code:
STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I. ONLINE .50 1.15 1.30 1.30 OFFLINE .50 1.15 1.30 1.30 ** OR * ARE ALL AA-AY DI .50 EQP W - ALL TRM 3 - ** CANADA - ALL AA-AY DI .40 EQP W - ALL TRM 3 - ** AA-AY DI .45 TRM 3 - ** CANADA - ALL AA-AY DI .35 TRM 3 - ** **-AY DI .50 AA-** DI SUP FLT 6000 - 9099 - ALL