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.
Sep 18, 2018, 8:51 am
#901
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Sep 18, 2018, 9:43 am
#902
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It seems like I've been somewhere in O'Hare T3 and seen a bus to T5 that was, at the moment I saw it, primarily people connecting AA to a BA flight. The only reason I noticed at all is because they were doing a BP/passport check right there in T3 before you even got onto the bus. (Presumably then another check once at your gate.)
If the bus evaporates prior to your flight, wouldn't that be an argument that T3 to T5 should no longer be a 75 minute MCT? It would need to be longer, potentially enabling you to make a flight change for free.
If the bus evaporates prior to your flight, wouldn't that be an argument that T3 to T5 should no longer be a 75 minute MCT? It would need to be longer, potentially enabling you to make a flight change for free.
Sep 18, 2018, 9:51 am
#903
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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If that fails, then yes you can ask for an earlier MIA-ORD flight.
And yes, there is a bus that connects T3 to T5 at ORD, please look at my post from yesterday (I merged your thread into our existing thread on connecting at ORD).
Sep 18, 2018, 10:40 am
#904
Join Date: Sep 2013
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The BA bus was replaced by the ORD operated air side bus which is permanent as far as I know. The land side train shuttle has been temporarily replaced by busses on weekdays while engineering work is carried out.
Sep 18, 2018, 10:54 am
#905
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Being an F seat and Flyertalk and all, maybe award availability?
The good news is that if your flights are changed to the point where it's below MCT, you can phone them and get changed without regard for award availability. Does not need to be original routing - I've probably had 3 of these happen to me on AA over the year, TATL trips in J, where my 300-days-in-advance booking became impossible to fly as we got closer to departure date.
That said, if the airside bus exists, 95 minutes is comfortable.
The good news is that if your flights are changed to the point where it's below MCT, you can phone them and get changed without regard for award availability. Does not need to be original routing - I've probably had 3 of these happen to me on AA over the year, TATL trips in J, where my 300-days-in-advance booking became impossible to fly as we got closer to departure date.
That said, if the airside bus exists, 95 minutes is comfortable.
Sep 18, 2018, 2:35 pm
#906
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There appears to be one [Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB)]: (https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/myf...s/default.aspx)
International Connections
The O'Hare Airport Transit System (ATS or "people mover") is currently closed Monday to Friday through the winter season for construction on the modernization and expansion of our system. Shuttle Bus Service will be provided. View Flyer
The International Terminal 5 is not connected to the domestic terminals and is accessible via the Airport Transit System (ATS). If you arrive on a domestic flight and must connect to an international flight, you have two options: 1.) you can take the ATS and pass through the security checkpoint in Terminal 5 or 2.) you can take a Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 and bypass the security checkpoint in Terminal 5. The Terminal Transfer Bus service is year round with operation hours as follows: 10:00 am - 8:30 pm. If you are arriving into the domestic terminals and need to collect your luggage (exit the security side of the airport) and recheck in T5, you will not be able to use this service.
Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) Terminal 3 Pickup Locations
If you arrive at O'Hare on an international flight and have a connecting domestic flight, you will arrive at Terminal 5 and will need to take the ATS to the domestic terminals. You will need to clear security again at the domestic terminals.
...
The O'Hare Airport Transit System (ATS or "people mover") is currently closed Monday to Friday through the winter season for construction on the modernization and expansion of our system. Shuttle Bus Service will be provided. View Flyer
The International Terminal 5 is not connected to the domestic terminals and is accessible via the Airport Transit System (ATS). If you arrive on a domestic flight and must connect to an international flight, you have two options: 1.) you can take the ATS and pass through the security checkpoint in Terminal 5 or 2.) you can take a Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 and bypass the security checkpoint in Terminal 5. The Terminal Transfer Bus service is year round with operation hours as follows: 10:00 am - 8:30 pm. If you are arriving into the domestic terminals and need to collect your luggage (exit the security side of the airport) and recheck in T5, you will not be able to use this service.
Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) Terminal 3 Pickup Locations
- Gate G17
- Gate K20
- Gate L24
If you arrive at O'Hare on an international flight and have a connecting domestic flight, you will arrive at Terminal 5 and will need to take the ATS to the domestic terminals. You will need to clear security again at the domestic terminals.
...
Sep 18, 2018, 3:24 pm
#907
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I love the three-letter acronyms. The ATS and TTS stuff is far more confusing than "the landside train" and "the airside bus".
Oct 4, 2018, 10:41 am
#908
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 812
I did something similar, but AA AUS-ORD then separate ticket on CX ORD-HKG. I had booked the first (8am) AUS-ORD flight, which I think was supposed to arrive around 10:45. Only that was canceled, and I was put on AUS-DFW-ORD, and arrived around 12:30. The CX flight left from the international terminal around 3:30pm.
If you don't check bags, there's a bus that you can take between T3 and T5, but check the schedule ahead of time (I ended up not visiting the Flagship lounge going out for fear of missing the bus).
Otherwise, like you said, if you check bags, you'll need to exit security, claim bags, cart them to T5, re-check, and re-clear security. I don't think the bus will take you back to T3, so you'd be stuck at T5.
There is a BA lounge that you should have access to, but it is quite small. I found the staff very helpful and the food decent, considering that I was about to eat on my flight anyway.
On the return, the CX flight had arrived late, I think around 2:15-2:30pm. I checked at the AA baggage desk in T5, it was about 2:45pm at that point. They told me that the earlier ORD-AUS flight did have seats, but it was on-time, scheduled to leave at 3:15. I went to the Flagship lounge, showered, ate....and ended up being there quite a while due to storms, crew issues, and mechanical stuff. My flight was scheduled to leave at 8:15pm, but it was about 10:30 when we finally left.
Some people had mixed results getting access to the Flagship lounge on separate tickets. I just presented both boarding passes and asked, "Is this where the Flagship lounge is?" (I think there are 2 lounges at ORD?) The gal scanned them both, then gave me a card and told me to take the elevator to the 2nd floor. There is someone standing outside those elevators who takes that card.
Overall, I though the Flagship lounge was nice, but not anything like The Pier at HKG, and I didn't think it was quite as nice as the Flagship lounge at JFK.
If you don't check bags, there's a bus that you can take between T3 and T5, but check the schedule ahead of time (I ended up not visiting the Flagship lounge going out for fear of missing the bus).
Otherwise, like you said, if you check bags, you'll need to exit security, claim bags, cart them to T5, re-check, and re-clear security. I don't think the bus will take you back to T3, so you'd be stuck at T5.
There is a BA lounge that you should have access to, but it is quite small. I found the staff very helpful and the food decent, considering that I was about to eat on my flight anyway.
On the return, the CX flight had arrived late, I think around 2:15-2:30pm. I checked at the AA baggage desk in T5, it was about 2:45pm at that point. They told me that the earlier ORD-AUS flight did have seats, but it was on-time, scheduled to leave at 3:15. I went to the Flagship lounge, showered, ate....and ended up being there quite a while due to storms, crew issues, and mechanical stuff. My flight was scheduled to leave at 8:15pm, but it was about 10:30 when we finally left.
Some people had mixed results getting access to the Flagship lounge on separate tickets. I just presented both boarding passes and asked, "Is this where the Flagship lounge is?" (I think there are 2 lounges at ORD?) The gal scanned them both, then gave me a card and told me to take the elevator to the 2nd floor. There is someone standing outside those elevators who takes that card.
Overall, I though the Flagship lounge was nice, but not anything like The Pier at HKG, and I didn't think it was quite as nice as the Flagship lounge at JFK.
Oct 4, 2018, 11:32 am
#909
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So, if I want to use Flagship lounge, my understanding here, is if I arrive 1:30PM and depart 6:10PM, during that time I would need to gather checked bags, exit T3, cart to T5, check bags, and figure out a return to T3? Then with whatever time is left, use lounge, and leave plenty of time to clear security at T5 again? Is there not a T3<>T5 airside service at ORD? Obviously I have quite a bit of time, and we do have Pre-check, so security should be 20 minutes tops.
Oct 4, 2018, 11:44 am
#910
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So, if I want to use Flagship lounge, my understanding here, is if I arrive 1:30PM and depart 6:10PM, during that time I would need to gather checked bags, exit T3, cart to T5, check bags, and figure out a return to T3? Then with whatever time is left, use lounge, and leave plenty of time to clear security at T5 again? Is there not a T3<>T5 airside service at ORD? Obviously I have quite a bit of time, and we do have Pre-check, so security should be 20 minutes tops.
Oct 4, 2018, 1:29 pm
#912
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So, if I want to use Flagship lounge, my understanding here, is if I arrive 1:30PM and depart 6:10PM, during that time I would need to gather checked bags, exit T3, cart to T5, check bags, and figure out a return to T3? Then with whatever time is left, use lounge, and leave plenty of time to clear security at T5 again? Is there not a T3<>T5 airside service at ORD? Obviously I have quite a bit of time, and we do have Pre-check, so security should be 20 minutes tops.
While the Flagship lounge is nice, I'm not sure it is worth all of the effort you'd need to go through to visit.
Oct 4, 2018, 1:58 pm
#913
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 812
Since you're not on one ticket, I don't think TSA will let you back into T3 without a valid AA ticket. Of course with as much time as you have it might be worth a try. There is a BA lounge in T5, and depending who you are flying, you might have access to other lounges over there.
While the Flagship lounge is nice, I'm not sure it is worth all of the effort you'd need to go through to visit.
While the Flagship lounge is nice, I'm not sure it is worth all of the effort you'd need to go through to visit.
Will be on QR in J, if you have a suggestion for a T5 lounge. I was under the impression the Flagship is probably the best OneWorld lounge available in ORD.
Oct 4, 2018, 2:18 pm
#914
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Since you're not on one ticket, I don't think TSA will let you back into T3 without a valid AA ticket. Of course with as much time as you have it might be worth a try. There is a BA lounge in T5, and depending who you are flying, you might have access to other lounges over there.
While the Flagship lounge is nice, I'm not sure it is worth all of the effort you'd need to go through to visit.
While the Flagship lounge is nice, I'm not sure it is worth all of the effort you'd need to go through to visit.
Oct 4, 2018, 3:16 pm
#915
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I found the BA lounge in T5 to be fine. It is very small, but they had a decent spread of snacks and drinks, and the agents were extremely helpful. But there is no comparison between that and the Flagship lounge.