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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.
#541
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
Hi folks,
First time post and an irregular flyer - please bear with me!!
I'm flying from MCO to LHR via ORD early April. AA flight from MCO to ORD, then BA onwards to LHR.
I believe that we land at T3 and depart for London from T5.
Does the BA shuttle between these terminals still exist? My connection time is 1hr 50 mins so would rather avoid security if at all possible.
Will I need to pick up my bags, or is it a case of getting straight off the plane and onto the shuttle?
Do I have to walk through the terminal or do we stay airside? I only ask as a cheeky trip to the Cubs Bar wouldnt go amiss
Thanks in advance.
Scott
First time post and an irregular flyer - please bear with me!!
I'm flying from MCO to LHR via ORD early April. AA flight from MCO to ORD, then BA onwards to LHR.
I believe that we land at T3 and depart for London from T5.
Does the BA shuttle between these terminals still exist? My connection time is 1hr 50 mins so would rather avoid security if at all possible.
Will I need to pick up my bags, or is it a case of getting straight off the plane and onto the shuttle?
Do I have to walk through the terminal or do we stay airside? I only ask as a cheeky trip to the Cubs Bar wouldnt go amiss
Thanks in advance.
Scott
As far as I know the air side shuttle still exists. It leaves from the outermost end of the G and K gates every 30 minutes and you need a BA BP to use it. Your bags should be checked through. If you don't use the shuttle you have to go land side and take a train. There is no Pre-Check at T5.
#542
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
Welcome to FT!
As far as I know the air side shuttle still exists. It leaves from the outermost end of the G and K gates every 30 minutes and you need a BA BP to use it. Your bags should be checked through. If you don't use the shuttle you have to go land side and take a train. There is no Pre-Check at T5.
As far as I know the air side shuttle still exists. It leaves from the outermost end of the G and K gates every 30 minutes and you need a BA BP to use it. Your bags should be checked through. If you don't use the shuttle you have to go land side and take a train. There is no Pre-Check at T5.
#543
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
Good to have confirmation on the shuttle as we plan to use it on March 21. I have had trouble getting the BP for the BA flight printed at the start of the first leg but an AA agent was able to print one at ORD (although it was an agent in the AC).
#545
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
According to the schedule it is 747 for both flights (at least for the first week of April). The second week of April the early BA flight to LHR is a 777 and the later flight is 747. The third week of April it s back to 747 for both flights.
Last edited by cheltzel; Feb 26, 2017 at 3:00 pm Reason: fix spelling
#546
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 34
Hope its a 747, never actually flown on one of those...
Its April 6th that I fly - according to the AA app its a BA 777-200 on the 17:10 flight to LHR.
Then again, this same app is telling me that my flight over to the US (LHR-PHL) is on an AA A330-300 with wifi available......
Its April 6th that I fly - according to the AA app its a BA 777-200 on the 17:10 flight to LHR.
Then again, this same app is telling me that my flight over to the US (LHR-PHL) is on an AA A330-300 with wifi available......
#547
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
Hope its a 747, never actually flown on one of those...
Its April 6th that I fly - according to the AA app its a BA 777-200 on the 17:10 flight to LHR.
Then again, this same app is telling me that my flight over to the US (LHR-PHL) is on an AA A330-300 with wifi available......
Its April 6th that I fly - according to the AA app its a BA 777-200 on the 17:10 flight to LHR.
Then again, this same app is telling me that my flight over to the US (LHR-PHL) is on an AA A330-300 with wifi available......
#548
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 34
seat plan via BA (and seatguru) seems to be a 777-200ER of some kind.
#550
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
Yes, but not a lot of cushion. Assuming you get the BA boarding passes at DTW itself and don't need to re-check bags, then it is about a 5-10min walk from the gate to airtram. Another 5min ride to T5 and then go through security again. Should take 30-45min depending on the time of your arrival at ORD and how busy security lines are.
#551
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: KSUX
Posts: 906
If you're flying on BA metal you should be able to take the BA airside shuttle that departs at the end of the K concourse (IIRC) over to T5. Of course if you can't get your BA boarding passed printed and any bags checked through at DTW you'll still have to take the train over to T5 check in for the BA leg there.
#552
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
For the better function of this forum, please:
Search for the topic before starting a new thread. Often, members have taken the time and effort to answer similar questions; sometimes there's a master thread such as this one, that has a Wikipost at the top of the page summarizing information.
If one starts a new thread, please use a title that is specific and descriptive, so members can readily understand what it is about; many are knowledgeable about hub airport's because they use them frequently, or may even live nearby?
From the FlyerTalk Rules:
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Thank you,
/Moderator
Search for the topic before starting a new thread. Often, members have taken the time and effort to answer similar questions; sometimes there's a master thread such as this one, that has a Wikipost at the top of the page summarizing information.
If one starts a new thread, please use a title that is specific and descriptive, so members can readily understand what it is about; many are knowledgeable about hub airport's because they use them frequently, or may even live nearby?
From the FlyerTalk Rules:
4. Thread Titles
Please create thread titles that are specific and descriptive and that contain an accurate (not misleading or sensational) characterization of the topic. If you wish to change your thread's title, please contact a moderator. Moderators may also edit thread titles to clarify content.
Thank you,
/Moderator
#553
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...nly-t3-t5.html
There are rumblings in the
#554
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
The shuttle also picks up at G17. Thread about the shuttle here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...nly-t3-t5.html
There are rumblings in theChicago Midwest forum that ORD will be starting airside shuttles this summer for pax connecting to T5 from T1/T2/T3 that aren't limited to BA customers.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...nly-t3-t5.html
There are rumblings in the
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/midwe...cting-pax.html
#555
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 907
Hi all,
I'm in a pickle trying to working something out.
I've been trying to work out the MCT for an international-to-domestic connection (AirBerlin->American). The link in the wiki is for international-to-domestic connections on American->American, and it doesn't mention the MCTs for that use case.
Any ideas?
I'm more looking for the legal minimum connection time rather than the likelihood of success.
I'm in a pickle trying to working something out.
I've been trying to work out the MCT for an international-to-domestic connection (AirBerlin->American). The link in the wiki is for international-to-domestic connections on American->American, and it doesn't mention the MCTs for that use case.
Any ideas?
I'm more looking for the legal minimum connection time rather than the likelihood of success.