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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.
#1291
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 95
Thank you for this. I agree with you. I don't have luggage (carry on all the way) but it's too much stress missing the international flight. esp now there are less flights so not like I can just wait/ catch the next one.
#1292
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 55
AA changed our, trip to Athens in June. The connection time in ORD is now 58 minutes. ASE-ORD-ATH. Is this enough time?
The Wiki says international AA flights leave from concourse K (is that still true?), but since the ORD-ATH flight is not flying now I can't be sure of that. .
The only option I see is having AA change the ASE-ORD for the previous day and stay the night. Will call tomorrow. One ticket is with miles, one paid.
Any advice? Thanks!
The Wiki says international AA flights leave from concourse K (is that still true?), but since the ORD-ATH flight is not flying now I can't be sure of that. .
The only option I see is having AA change the ASE-ORD for the previous day and stay the night. Will call tomorrow. One ticket is with miles, one paid.
Any advice? Thanks!
#1293
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
AA changed our, trip to Athens in June. The connection time in ORD is now 58 minutes. ASE-ORD-ATH. Is this enough time?
The Wiki says international AA flights leave from concourse K (is that still true?), but since the ORD-ATH flight is not flying now I can't be sure of that. .
The only option I see is having AA change the ASE-ORD for the previous day and stay the night. Will call tomorrow. One ticket is with miles, one paid.
Any advice? Thanks!
The Wiki says international AA flights leave from concourse K (is that still true?), but since the ORD-ATH flight is not flying now I can't be sure of that. .
The only option I see is having AA change the ASE-ORD for the previous day and stay the night. Will call tomorrow. One ticket is with miles, one paid.
Any advice? Thanks!
#1294
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA MM, AA PPro
Posts: 1,480
Looks like ASE-ORD is an American Eagle flight operated by a CR7. You'll likely arrive to the G concourse - a 15-minute "worst case scenario" walk to the international departures in K. I'd try not to bring a large carry-on that would have to be valet checked. If everything is on time, you are fine, but if your flight is running late, the extra 10 min waiting for the carry-ons to be delivered could be the difference between making the connection and overnighting in Chicago.
#1295
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 55
Looks like ASE-ORD is an American Eagle flight operated by a CR7. You'll likely arrive to the G concourse - a 15-minute "worst case scenario" walk to the international departures in K. I'd try not to bring a large carry-on that would have to be valet checked. If everything is on time, you are fine, but if your flight is running late, the extra 10 min waiting for the carry-ons to be delivered could be the difference between making the connection and overnighting in Chicago.
Never a gate check on a tight connection, of course. I still would feel better overnighting the night before. There are no earlier flights to ORD on any airline on the day.
#1296
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 55
Follow-up
Found there is a flight later on the day before, within the 23:59 layover window. Called AA to change the the award ticket, agent said that the level above her could change my ticket, but that I should call Expedia first to change the paid ticket (Chase UR redemption). Called Chase/Expedia and after a long call, where the Expedia agent finally got through to AA, they could not allow Expedia to split the ASE-ORD leg out for the previous day without charging extra. But, they gave me permission to call AA directly about this ticket. Called AA back, this time they could work on both flights. The agent had to call the next level up again. This call took at least 1/2 hour (convince them for the day before, insist on 1st class, because there was room, etc.). In the end they did split the leg out for the day before without extra charges. Phew. I got a lot done on the computer in the meantime, lol. Now, waiting to see if Greece does open as planned!
#1297
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
How often do the landside buses T5-T3 run now and in the summer? I have a an 85-min connection and I am bit nervous about it...I have GE, flying J, but I also have a checked bag, and I am concerned about any long lines in customs checks, delays in the transfer bus, or busy TSA lines at T3. I arrive at 1:30pm at T5, in July.
#1298
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
Found there is a flight later on the day before, within the 23:59 layover window. Called AA to change the the award ticket, agent said that the level above her could change my ticket, but that I should call Expedia first to change the paid ticket (Chase UR redemption). Called Chase/Expedia and after a long call, where the Expedia agent finally got through to AA, they could not allow Expedia to split the ASE-ORD leg out for the previous day without charging extra. But, they gave me permission to call AA directly about this ticket. Called AA back, this time they could work on both flights. The agent had to call the next level up again. This call took at least 1/2 hour (convince them for the day before, insist on 1st class, because there was room, etc.). In the end they did split the leg out for the day before without extra charges. Phew. I got a lot done on the computer in the meantime, lol. Now, waiting to see if Greece does open as planned!
#1299
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Plano, TX, USA
Programs: AA: PPro, 4MM; HH: Lifetime Diamond; MAR Life Titanium Hertz: Prez Circle
Posts: 547
I just found myself rebooked by BA onto ATH-ORD-DFW with a 1:25 connection time this July (good news in that now I can sit MCE and have a luggage allowance for my BE ticket, but bad news for a seemingly unrealistic connection window). My wife and I have Global Entry, but our kids don't. Should I just expect to mis-connect from the outset in ORD, or does have anyone have any ideas on how to increase the odds of making our second leg home other than hoping for a tailwind from Europe?
#1300
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: VA
Programs: AA EXP, DL Gold, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 293
I just found myself rebooked by BA onto ATH-ORD-DFW with a 1:25 connection time this July (good news in that now I can sit MCE and have a luggage allowance for my BE ticket, but bad news for a seemingly unrealistic connection window). My wife and I have Global Entry, but our kids don't. Should I just expect to mis-connect from the outset in ORD, or does have anyone have any ideas on how to increase the odds of making our second leg home other than hoping for a tailwind from Europe?
I hate to say it - but you'd be really lucky to make your connection. Definately have a list of alternate flights scoped out.
#1301
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Plano, TX, USA
Programs: AA: PPro, 4MM; HH: Lifetime Diamond; MAR Life Titanium Hertz: Prez Circle
Posts: 547
My guess is you're flying into T5. Then you have to wait for your luggage, clear customs/immigration, take a bus to T3, re-clear security, then head to your gate. None of that goes fast at ORD.
I hate to say it - but you'd be really lucky to make your connection. Definately have a list of alternate flights scoped out.
I hate to say it - but you'd be really lucky to make your connection. Definately have a list of alternate flights scoped out.
#1302
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: VA
Programs: AA EXP, DL Gold, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 293
Yeah, not sure I want to tell the family that we will be lucky to make it home when we are supposed to. The alternative was accepting BA's earlier flight out of ATH and having a long connect in LHR and dealing with both UK and US Covid protocols on the way home. I know there should be a few more flights ORD-DFW that day assuming we mis-connect, hopefully July load factors won't cause an issue getting home. Kind of surprised this was a valid connect time that I got offered up (granted by BA, not AA) and at least we are flying AA the whole way so I won't have to worry about two airlines pointing fingers at each other if we do misconnect.
Last edited by skydve1; May 27, 2021 at 1:39 pm
#1303
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
Yeah, not sure I want to tell the family that we will be lucky to make it home when we are supposed to. The alternative was accepting BA's earlier flight out of ATH and having a long connect in LHR and dealing with both UK and US Covid protocols on the way home. I know there should be a few more flights ORD-DFW that day assuming we mis-connect, hopefully July load factors won't cause an issue getting home. Kind of surprised this was a valid connect time that I got offered up (granted by BA, not AA) and at least we are flying AA the whole way so I won't have to worry about two airlines pointing fingers at each other if we do misconnect.
#1304
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,815
Yeah, not sure I want to tell the family that we will be lucky to make it home when we are supposed to. The alternative was accepting BA's earlier flight out of ATH and having a long connect in LHR and dealing with both UK and US Covid protocols on the way home. I know there should be a few more flights ORD-DFW that day assuming we mis-connect, hopefully July load factors won't cause an issue getting home. Kind of surprised this was a valid connect time that I got offered up (granted by BA, not AA) and at least we are flying AA the whole way so I won't have to worry about two airlines pointing fingers at each other if we do misconnect.
#1305
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,202
I just found myself rebooked by BA onto ATH-ORD-DFW with a 1:25 connection time this July (good news in that now I can sit MCE and have a luggage allowance for my BE ticket, but bad news for a seemingly unrealistic connection window). My wife and I have Global Entry, but our kids don't. Should I just expect to mis-connect from the outset in ORD, or does have anyone have any ideas on how to increase the odds of making our second leg home other than hoping for a tailwind from Europe?
Whatever it is though it will sort itself out in the next couple of days and you should be auto rebooked onto a compliant itinerary.when BAs and AAs systems sort themselves out.
If nothing has been sorted automatically by the middle of next then that's when I would phone. In the meantime look at some more compliant connections that suit you.
This is pretty normal stuff when flights changed. Their immediate priority is to rebook your cancelled flight - especually long haul legs - and then to sort out any connections.
Last year I was due to fly DUB-LCY-JFK-SFO
The LCY flight was cancelled and I was auto rebooked onto a similar timed flight ex LHR. Of couse at that point I was still flying into LCY and had negative time to get to LHR.
Rather than panic I left it a few days and it sorted themselves out.