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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.
#256
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BNA and FLL
Programs: National Executive Elite, IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Gold, SW A List, Marriott Gold
Posts: 964
ORD Security line question
I have global entry/pre check and also get Priority Access through my AA Executive card. I'm wondering if there is an AA Priority line that also feeds into the pre check security lane?
Last time I was there about a month ago we went to the pre check checkpoint and you could go right to go through the Priority line or left to go through Pre Check line. If you went through the Priority line it looks like that just fed to a normal security line where normal procedures were enforced.
Last time I was there about a month ago we went to the pre check checkpoint and you could go right to go through the Priority line or left to go through Pre Check line. If you went through the Priority line it looks like that just fed to a normal security line where normal procedures were enforced.
#257
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: 2,218
I have global entry/pre check and also get Priority Access through my AA Executive card. I'm wondering if there is an AA Priority line that also feeds into the pre check security lane?
Last time I was there about a month ago we went to the pre check checkpoint and you could go right to go through the Priority line or left to go through Pre Check line. If you went through the Priority line it looks like that just fed to a normal security line where normal procedures were enforced.
Last time I was there about a month ago we went to the pre check checkpoint and you could go right to go through the Priority line or left to go through Pre Check line. If you went through the Priority line it looks like that just fed to a normal security line where normal procedures were enforced.
#258
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYR
Programs: US/AA-Platinum, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Gold, AVIS-Presidents Club, National-Executive Elite
Posts: 2,755
Depending on the day and time of day, the priority screening line (non Pre Check) seems faster than Pre-Check. Sad, but true.
#259
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BNA and FLL
Programs: National Executive Elite, IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Gold, SW A List, Marriott Gold
Posts: 964
Thanks for confirming what I had feared to be true. It seems silly that they (TSA) can't just direct the Priority people who also have pre check to head towards the pre check X-ray scanners once they have verified their ID and BP at the Priority line.
#260
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
I don't think the TSA cares, and they have way bigger problems to fix frankly. Most folks who have PreCheck know to go to the Pre line, which even when longer than the regular line normally moves fast (in most airports) as the screening process is generally quicker for each person passing through.
#261
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Mundelein, Il
Programs: Executive Platinum
Posts: 482
If yes I do not believe there is a non priority line at all. I thought there was a Priority line and a Pre TSA line. I am a little confused about your statement/suggestions as I thought everyone in that area was priority or Pre Check/TSA. I suspect that almost everyone that uses the Pre Check TSA line also has Priority as well, just just go there.
They may have changed it, but I will pay attention next time as I have been using the Pre check TSA line lately. Of course it might be different in the main line right of the Priority Check In area.
#262
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP, AA 3M Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 110
Are you referencing the security line that is to the left of the First/Business/priority checkin kiosks and check in counter?
If yes I do not believe there is a non priority line at all. I thought there was a Priority line and a Pre TSA line. I am a little confused about your statement/suggestions as I thought everyone in that area was priority or Pre Check/TSA. I suspect that almost everyone that uses the Pre Check TSA line also has Priority as well, just just go there.
They may have changed it, but I will pay attention next time as I have been using the Pre check TSA line lately. Of course it might be different in the main line right of the Priority Check In area.
If yes I do not believe there is a non priority line at all. I thought there was a Priority line and a Pre TSA line. I am a little confused about your statement/suggestions as I thought everyone in that area was priority or Pre Check/TSA. I suspect that almost everyone that uses the Pre Check TSA line also has Priority as well, just just go there.
They may have changed it, but I will pay attention next time as I have been using the Pre check TSA line lately. Of course it might be different in the main line right of the Priority Check In area.
#263
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
#264
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago O'Hare
Programs: AA EXP, LT PLT 2.6MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 678
You would be referring to checkpoint 7 (not 7A-the real "zoo" checkpoint), which has had TSA pre for a good couple of years now. This pre line is ALWAYS, IME, shorter than the pre line at checkpoint 8. One of the reasons is the flocks of LCC passengers without a clue as to what they're doing do not end up in this line. As well, there are almost always two "officers" checking ID/BP and two active x-ray's (as opposed to only ever one for pre at checkpoint 8). Whether I am checking bags or not, I haven't used checkpoint 8 at a peak time in over a year.
Last edited by akarneboge; Nov 29, 2015 at 9:42 pm
#265
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP, AA 3M Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 110
There was not elite check in that section on that Monday, only Pre. If you didn't have Pre, you weren't allowed in either of the lines. .Elite was in the middle section which was a monstrous line so that is how I ended up by G check in.
#266
Join Date: Oct 2003
Programs: BA GGL, AA EXP and former CK, DL Plat, UA Gold MM
Posts: 493
BA SHUTTLE still operating
Updated as of 7Dec2015: Confirmed that it still operates.
Shuttle at Gate K20 for International Connection from AA domestic flights into Terminal 3 to BA flights operating from Terminal 5 is operating every half hour beginning at 240pm daily. (This apparently saves time from processing through sterile area a second time if you were to take the ATS train connecting the terminals)
Flagship lounge is adjacent at Gate K19.
Shuttle at Gate K20 for International Connection from AA domestic flights into Terminal 3 to BA flights operating from Terminal 5 is operating every half hour beginning at 240pm daily. (This apparently saves time from processing through sterile area a second time if you were to take the ATS train connecting the terminals)
Flagship lounge is adjacent at Gate K19.
#267
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Milwaukee
Programs: AA Pl, KL Platinum for Life
Posts: 384
I don't think the TSA cares, and they have way bigger problems to fix frankly. Most folks who have PreCheck know to go to the Pre line, which even when longer than the regular line normally moves fast (in most airports) as the screening process is generally quicker for each person passing through.
#268
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 53
Connection to JAL flight
Planning an award flight to NRT next year on JAL and trying to figure out which AA flight to take from DCA to ORD. Later option would leave 80 minute connection before JAL flight, earlier would leave 3 hours. Is an hour and twenty enough time, or should I suck it up and take the earlier flight? This would be a December flight and we don't have pre-check (would be J class, though.) Thanks!
#269
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,935
Planning an award flight to NRT next year on JAL and trying to figure out which AA flight to take from DCA to ORD. Later option would leave 80 minute connection before JAL flight, earlier would leave 3 hours. Is an hour and twenty enough time, or should I suck it up and take the earlier flight? This would be a December flight and we don't have pre-check (would be J class, though.) Thanks!
#270
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ORD and RSW
Programs: Former long time AA EXP and CK - 4 MM; Now LTPL; Hilton Diamond; UA Platinum
Posts: 380
Agree, but in December, you never know with the weather. I would leave more time. The AA flight to NRT leaves after the JAL flight, but getting rebooked into J in the AA flight could be iffy if you miss the JAL flight. The AA flight is a Dreamliner with no first cabin and not a whole lot of J seats.