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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.
#1336
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PP, DL PM
Posts: 2,086
I'm looking at a flight from AUS-ORD-NRT. The Austin flight (AA) arrives at 9:03 and the International flight on JL departs at 10:20A. Am I reading correctly that this barely meets the MCT? I actually have the ORD-NRT leg on hold, and can add the domestic leg. Not really all that comfortable with flying into Chicago in December with such a tight window to make the connection.
AA and JL both operate out of T3 at ORD, so the walk shouldn't be bad (it looks like JL has been using K19 the last few days).
#1337
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Houston
Posts: 441
You have 1:17, which should be more than enough time (I don't think there are any widebodies on AUS-ORD, so the MCT would be 35 min). If there's a snowstorm, you might miss your connection though.
AA and JL both operate out of T3 at ORD, so the walk shouldn't be bad (it looks like JL has been using K19 the last few days).
AA and JL both operate out of T3 at ORD, so the walk shouldn't be bad (it looks like JL has been using K19 the last few days).
#1338
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,474
If you happen to be sitting at AUS and the flight to ORD gets delayed, just get the AC agents to rebook you via DFW, LAX, etc.
And no way I'd spend an extra 11 hours travel time (plus more than double the miles) for the sole reason of avoiding the Shell Flat Neo on the 6 hr connecting flight. That's just silly, I've flown US-NRT-BKK/SIN countless times, and while the SFN is not cutting edge for 2021, it's far from the end of the world (and coming from the states you're typically so tired by that point that I could sleep on a concrete floor...).
#1339
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Houston
Posts: 441
JJeffery, you make a good point, but the business class section looks pretty full. With Thailand's entry restrictionsI would hateto end up sitting next to someone that test positive for Covid while I do not. Then I am screwed on my vacation. Etihad's connecting flight also appears to be pretty full but at least it isn't 2x2 seating, and I have a window seat. By ythe time this trip actually happens I'll be drinking the cabin dry whichever choice I make. LOL!
#1340
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 1,580
I'm trying to help my son figure out a trip BOS-ORD-HEL on AA connecting to Finnair. The first leg would land at ORD at 7:15 PM, with 2 1/2 hours for transit, on 27 Dec. I'm trying to advise him as to whether this is a reasonable connection, or if he should fly earlier for significantly more $$. I assume he needs to go ground side, take the people mover (which I gather is in operation again?) and then go back through security in T5, but I've also seen some reference to an airside bus connection between T3 and T5. Obviously if he misses the connection he spends the night at OHare, and I have some concern about crowds (though the 27th is not super expensive, so maybe less than might be), but a couple hours seems adequate?
Any advice? Thanks much!
Any advice? Thanks much!
#1341
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,474
I'm trying to help my son figure out a trip BOS-ORD-HEL on AA connecting to Finnair. The first leg would land at ORD at 7:15 PM, with 2 1/2 hours for transit, on 27 Dec. I'm trying to advise him as to whether this is a reasonable connection, or if he should fly earlier for significantly more $$. I assume he needs to go ground side, take the people mover (which I gather is in operation again?) and then go back through security in T5, but I've also seen some reference to an airside bus connection between T3 and T5. Obviously if he misses the connection he spends the night at OHare, and I have some concern about crowds (though the 27th is not super expensive, so maybe less than might be), but a couple hours seems adequate?
Any advice? Thanks much!
Any advice? Thanks much!
You have it right in that he will land at T3, go landside and take the train over to T5 (now that it's running again), clear security at T5 and on to the departure gate. The airside bus T3-T5 has not resumed service AFAIK.
And there shouldn't be any issue with crowds on Dec 27. I've flown to and from Europe several times the week after Xmas, while airports in general will be busier than say a random Tuesday in February, they're nowhere near as crazy as Thanksgiving week or some weekends around spring break, etc. Again really nothing to worry about at all.
#1342
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 551
What is the current MCT for ORD for AA domestic to AA domestic? For an upcoming trip this summer I ended up booking a 35 min connection on a cheap webspecial award ticket, which has to be just about at MCT. If my connection goes invalid I might try to change to better flights.
#1343
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
What is the current MCT for ORD for AA domestic to AA domestic? For an upcoming trip this summer I ended up booking a 35 min connection on a cheap webspecial award ticket, which has to be just about at MCT. If my connection goes invalid I might try to change to better flights.
#1346
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,506
Flying CUN-ORD-PHL with a 7.5 hour overnight at ORD later this month (and yes, this is the best schedule for us ). Will we be able to drop our checked bag off at T-5 the night we arrive after clearing customs or will that be closed at that point? Would prefer to not drag it to the hotel and then again to T-3 in the morning, having to get up even earlier to ensure we don't run into delays checking it.
Also, likely doing the Hilton ORD simply for the convenience of walking out the next morning. Any other hotels that are relatively close by with a frequent 24 hour shuttle we should consider? Don't care about much beyond shuttle frequency and that it is quiet, although being able to use points from the big 4 (Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt) is definitely a plus.
Also, likely doing the Hilton ORD simply for the convenience of walking out the next morning. Any other hotels that are relatively close by with a frequent 24 hour shuttle we should consider? Don't care about much beyond shuttle frequency and that it is quiet, although being able to use points from the big 4 (Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt) is definitely a plus.
Last edited by lowfareair; Feb 8, 2022 at 8:15 am
#1347
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA MM, AA PPro
Posts: 1,480
Flying CUN-ORD-PHL with a 7.5 hour overnight at ORD later this month (and yes, this is the best schedule for us ). Will we be able to drop our checked bag off at T-5 the night we arrive after clearing customs or will that be closed at that point? Would prefer to not drag it to the hotel and then again to T-3 in the morning, having to get up even earlier to ensure we don't run into delays checking it..
Also, likely doing the Hilton ORD simply for the convenience of walking out the next morning. Any other hotels that are relatively close by with a frequent 24 hour shuttle we should consider? Don't care about much beyond shuttle frequency and that it is quiet, although being able to use points from the big 4 (Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt) is definitely a plus.
#1349
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,813
Especially with traffic. Even living just 20m north of the airport in Deerfield, I almost missed flights on a few occasions due to unexpected traffic and/or security lines.
#1350
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,506
Thanks guys, definitely doing the Hilton based on this feedback. Only a 7.5 hour layover total, so very little appetite for waiting for a shuttle somewhere else.
I know that is doable during the day, but not sure what time the AA transfer desk there would close given there are no connections available prior to 5am. Schlepping isn't the end of the world, but really don't want to have to get up 30 minutes earlier to drop off the bags the next morning.
I know that is doable during the day, but not sure what time the AA transfer desk there would close given there are no connections available prior to 5am. Schlepping isn't the end of the world, but really don't want to have to get up 30 minutes earlier to drop off the bags the next morning.