Oct 18, 2015, 7:37 pm
Last edit by: TEDisgone
Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.
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.
May 10, 2017, 11:24 am
#601
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,819
May 10, 2017, 1:45 pm
#602
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 14
I mean if you haven't booked, Delta probably has longer connections via SLC and they have a really high on time rate. Chances of a JAC-SLC-EWR are way better then via ORD, its the most on time hub by a large margin.
45 minutes is short for ORD, no denying that. I really try no less than an hour in ORD, NYC. Planes are just so full these days I save time with safer connections since the options can be so full and painful. I mean if your gates are a ways apart you could need a few minutes in legitimate walking and with kids i would not have large carry-ons or anything that slow you down. ORD is a pretty large place and no one can predict how far apart the gates will be.
I would say your chances of a mis-connect on JAC>ORD>EWR is much lower then on EWR>ORD>JAC if that makes you feel better. I would never book that connection out of EWR. Newark is more likely to be delayed then JAC. You can definitely increase your chances of making the flight sitting near the front. It does take 5-10 minutes to deplane at the back so even on a 319, if you really are nervous might not be a bad idea to sit up towards the front, will buy you a few minutes. Your plane will be full of kids and vacationers IE slow and not experienced business travelers, so i would try to sit as front as you can. That is a few minutes of savings on a short layover anyway.
IF that is the last ORD-EWR flight then yes you are booking some risk, so definitely get the trip insurance. At least if you get stuck in ORD less stress. I mean statistically you will probably make this connection on most days.
Have you considered going thru DFW, i know its a few more miles but maybe a longer safer connection?
JAC is an airport i have been to alot. Security is hit or miss, if its a time with a lot of large planes can be really long. Its a small place so if say a few mainline planes are leaving at the same time lines will be long. I would get there early as lots of families who are slow too in vacation season ski/summer. The airport even has nice scenery soak in some nice last views or have a nice meal cause you wont get one on the plane.
Have a great trip! Jackson Hole is a wonderful place, i am sure you will have fun and a trip of a lifetime. Its really a wonderful place to visit in the Summer.
45 minutes is short for ORD, no denying that. I really try no less than an hour in ORD, NYC. Planes are just so full these days I save time with safer connections since the options can be so full and painful. I mean if your gates are a ways apart you could need a few minutes in legitimate walking and with kids i would not have large carry-ons or anything that slow you down. ORD is a pretty large place and no one can predict how far apart the gates will be.
I would say your chances of a mis-connect on JAC>ORD>EWR is much lower then on EWR>ORD>JAC if that makes you feel better. I would never book that connection out of EWR. Newark is more likely to be delayed then JAC. You can definitely increase your chances of making the flight sitting near the front. It does take 5-10 minutes to deplane at the back so even on a 319, if you really are nervous might not be a bad idea to sit up towards the front, will buy you a few minutes. Your plane will be full of kids and vacationers IE slow and not experienced business travelers, so i would try to sit as front as you can. That is a few minutes of savings on a short layover anyway.
IF that is the last ORD-EWR flight then yes you are booking some risk, so definitely get the trip insurance. At least if you get stuck in ORD less stress. I mean statistically you will probably make this connection on most days.
Have you considered going thru DFW, i know its a few more miles but maybe a longer safer connection?
JAC is an airport i have been to alot. Security is hit or miss, if its a time with a lot of large planes can be really long. Its a small place so if say a few mainline planes are leaving at the same time lines will be long. I would get there early as lots of families who are slow too in vacation season ski/summer. The airport even has nice scenery soak in some nice last views or have a nice meal cause you wont get one on the plane.
Have a great trip! Jackson Hole is a wonderful place, i am sure you will have fun and a trip of a lifetime. Its really a wonderful place to visit in the Summer.
If we don't miss that connection that is
May 11, 2017, 2:40 pm
#603
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA MM, AA PPro
Posts: 1,480
Though I do understand that a hotel room may be a better option than flying late with two small kids. Good luck!
May 18, 2017, 4:44 pm
#605
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/midwe...cting-pax.html
May 27, 2017, 5:39 pm
#606
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,518
I used to live in Chicago, but it's been at least a couple of years now since I've been to/through it. Used to know T3 like the back of my hand, so the gate map pdf on the Chicago Airport site has me confused/interested:
http://www.flychicago.com/SiteCollec...are/Map/T3.pdf
It shows the highest K gate to be K18. And it indicates this to be the gate next to the Flagship entrance, which I know to be K20.
Has AA re-numbered the K gates? Or is there an error in this pdf?
http://www.flychicago.com/SiteCollec...are/Map/T3.pdf
It shows the highest K gate to be K18. And it indicates this to be the gate next to the Flagship entrance, which I know to be K20.
Has AA re-numbered the K gates? Or is there an error in this pdf?
May 27, 2017, 6:47 pm
#607
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,459
I used to live in Chicago, but it's been at least a couple of years now since I've been to/through it. Used to know T3 like the back of my hand, so the gate map pdf on the Chicago Airport site has me confused/interested:
http://www.flychicago.com/SiteCollec...are/Map/T3.pdf
It shows the highest K gate to be K18. And it indicates this to be the gate next to the Flagship entrance, which I know to be K20.
Has AA re-numbered the K gates? Or is there an error in this pdf?
http://www.flychicago.com/SiteCollec...are/Map/T3.pdf
It shows the highest K gate to be K18. And it indicates this to be the gate next to the Flagship entrance, which I know to be K20.
Has AA re-numbered the K gates? Or is there an error in this pdf?
Jun 7, 2017, 9:38 am
#608
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BA Exec Club Bronze, Hilton Diamond, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 1,257
Hi All
I'm after a bit of advice from those who know ORD better than I do.
We have booked LHR-ORD-TPA with BA/AA on a single PNR, travelling around Christmas. We'll be in J on the BA legs.
Outbound timings: arrive ORD 15.05, depart 18.30.
Inbound timings: arrive ORD 19.21, depart 20.45.
We'll most likely use the airside transfer bus on the inbound, hopefully the TPA flight will land close by. Feels like a tight connection but not impossible?
Do we get access to an AA lounge during our layover on the outbound?
I'm after a bit of advice from those who know ORD better than I do.
We have booked LHR-ORD-TPA with BA/AA on a single PNR, travelling around Christmas. We'll be in J on the BA legs.
Outbound timings: arrive ORD 15.05, depart 18.30.
Inbound timings: arrive ORD 19.21, depart 20.45.
We'll most likely use the airside transfer bus on the inbound, hopefully the TPA flight will land close by. Feels like a tight connection but not impossible?
Do we get access to an AA lounge during our layover on the outbound?
Jun 7, 2017, 10:16 am
#609
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
Hi All
I'm after a bit of advice from those who know ORD better than I do.
We have booked LHR-ORD-TPA with BA/AA on a single PNR, travelling around Christmas. We'll be in J on the BA legs.
Outbound timings: arrive ORD 15.05, depart 18.30.
Inbound timings: arrive ORD 19.21, depart 20.45.
We'll most likely use the airside transfer bus on the inbound, hopefully the TPA flight will land close by. Feels like a tight connection but not impossible?
Do we get access to an AA lounge during our layover on the outbound?
I'm after a bit of advice from those who know ORD better than I do.
We have booked LHR-ORD-TPA with BA/AA on a single PNR, travelling around Christmas. We'll be in J on the BA legs.
Outbound timings: arrive ORD 15.05, depart 18.30.
Inbound timings: arrive ORD 19.21, depart 20.45.
We'll most likely use the airside transfer bus on the inbound, hopefully the TPA flight will land close by. Feels like a tight connection but not impossible?
Do we get access to an AA lounge during our layover on the outbound?
You should get AA lounge access outbound and AA/BA access inbound, if you have any spare time.
Jun 7, 2017, 11:25 am
#610
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: So. California
Programs: BA, AA, Azamara, Princess, RCI & more
Posts: 165
Jun 7, 2017, 12:09 pm
#611
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Jun 7, 2017, 12:39 pm
#613
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SFO/SJC
Posts: 247
Terminal 3 AA to Terminal 5 RJ in ORD - MCT and connection time - 49 minutes doable?
I am considering a ticket which has a 49 minute connection in ORD from AA domestic to RJ international. Arriving 8;41 pm and departing 9;30 pm on a Tuesday night. I understand that Oneworld no longer protects connections/luggage on separate tickets, so this is out of the question. Is it doable in the same ticket, in business class? Passenger has Global Entry/TSA precheck but I don't think this helps with international departure on RJ.
How long would it take to exit terminal 3 AA gates, take ATS train to terminal 5 and get through security without having to pick up luggage. There is an alternate flight earlier, if 49 minutes is too short what is a decent connection time to consider - is 1 hr 45 minutes good?
Thanks!
How long would it take to exit terminal 3 AA gates, take ATS train to terminal 5 and get through security without having to pick up luggage. There is an alternate flight earlier, if 49 minutes is too short what is a decent connection time to consider - is 1 hr 45 minutes good?
Thanks!
Jun 7, 2017, 12:52 pm
#614
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BMI
Programs: AA EXP, Delta, Amtrak, Hertz PC
Posts: 657
Both flights will likely operate out of the H/K concourses (there is a low possibility that one of them will be in L), the longest walk within this area is probably 10 minutes. You will have plenty of time.
Jun 7, 2017, 12:57 pm
#615
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BMI
Programs: AA EXP, Delta, Amtrak, Hertz PC
Posts: 657
I am considering a ticket which has a 49 minute connection in ORD from AA domestic to RJ international. Arriving 8;41 pm and departing 9;30 pm on a Tuesday night. I understand that Oneworld no longer protects connections/luggage on separate tickets, so this is out of the question. Is it doable in the same ticket, in business class? Passenger has Global Entry/TSA precheck but I don't think this helps with international departure on RJ.
How long would it take to exit terminal 3 AA gates, take ATS train to terminal 5 and get through security without having to pick up luggage. There is an alternate flight earlier, if 49 minutes is too short what is a decent connection time to consider - is 1 hr 45 minutes good?
Thanks!
How long would it take to exit terminal 3 AA gates, take ATS train to terminal 5 and get through security without having to pick up luggage. There is an alternate flight earlier, if 49 minutes is too short what is a decent connection time to consider - is 1 hr 45 minutes good?
Thanks!
RJ only has 1 flight a day (do they even fly to ORD everyday?), so I wouldn't want to chance missing the flight. I would probably want at least a two hour connection.