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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.
#1351
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 376
PSA - the ATS (the new train) only "operates" 10:30 AM to 10:30 PM.
What's odd is that the trains still run/physically move up and down the tracks. But access to the stations is closed off.
This almost caught me out for a flight that left early and also returned early - I only at the last second decided to park in the central ramp vs. the extended parking. I saw the trains moving up and down the tracks both on my departure and arrival, so this is confusing.
What's odd is that the trains still run/physically move up and down the tracks. But access to the stations is closed off.
This almost caught me out for a flight that left early and also returned early - I only at the last second decided to park in the central ramp vs. the extended parking. I saw the trains moving up and down the tracks both on my departure and arrival, so this is confusing.
#1352
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN
Programs: AS 75K, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 32
I originally had an AS/AA SAN-SEA-LHR roundtrip in August that is obviously no longer an option. For my return, I now have a LHR-ORD-SAN itinerary with a 1:25 connecting time. The ORD website (https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/myf...s/default.aspx) makes it clear that I will arrive into T5, then need to take the train over to T3, and clear security again. Two questions:
1. Is that how it always is, or can I expect some sort of airside T5 --> T3 option that is temporarily unavailable before the pandemic?
2. Is 1:25 enough time to clear customs, shuttle from T5 to T3, and reclear security? Seems like it isn't.
Thanks!
1. Is that how it always is, or can I expect some sort of airside T5 --> T3 option that is temporarily unavailable before the pandemic?
2. Is 1:25 enough time to clear customs, shuttle from T5 to T3, and reclear security? Seems like it isn't.
Thanks!
#1353
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
I originally had an AS/AA SAN-SEA-LHR roundtrip in August that is obviously no longer an option. For my return, I now have a LHR-ORD-SAN itinerary with a 1:25 connecting time. The ORD website (https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/myf...s/default.aspx) makes it clear that I will arrive into T5, then need to take the train over to T3, and clear security again. Two questions:
1. Is that how it always is, or can I expect some sort of airside T5 --> T3 option that is temporarily unavailable before the pandemic?
2. Is 1:25 enough time to clear customs, shuttle from T5 to T3, and reclear security? Seems like it isn't.
Thanks!
1. Is that how it always is, or can I expect some sort of airside T5 --> T3 option that is temporarily unavailable before the pandemic?
2. Is 1:25 enough time to clear customs, shuttle from T5 to T3, and reclear security? Seems like it isn't.
Thanks!
And any time you arrive into the US and go through immigration & customs you always have to clear security again before proceeding to you connecting flight.
Given that this was a schedule change you pretty much have free reign to pick whatever LHR-SAN routing you'd like now within reason, do some research and see if there's a better connection available via DFW (or another hub) and call AA and ask specifically for it. Heck, if BA is operating the LHR-SAN nonstop then ask for that (ask for the AA codeshare flight number).
#1354
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN
Programs: AS 75K, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 32
Thanks. I do have GE. Checking bags is TBD. More concerning is i will have a 10 and 13-year old in tow, so I think I'll look for an itinerary with more time. I just realized there is an LHR-ORD departure 70 minutes before my current one that would give us a 2:35 layover. Will switch to that.
#1355
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,462
Clearing customs at ORD generally is not that big of deal. I find GE worthless,because I have never cleared customs and then waited less than 15-30 minutes for my bag. If you are checking bags, the 1+ hour connection is not reasonable. The train is now only running between 10:30am and 10:30pm. If your connections are between those times, getting from 5 to 3 is a couple of minutes.If you are outside those times and must take the bus from 5 to 3, then you are looking at 10-15 minutes.
#1356
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 376
PSA - the ATS (the new train) only "operates" 10:30 AM to 10:30 PM.
What's odd is that the trains still run/physically move up and down the tracks. But access to the stations is closed off.
This almost caught me out for a flight that left early and also returned early - I only at the last second decided to park in the central ramp vs. the extended parking. I saw the trains moving up and down the tracks both on my departure and arrival, so this is confusing.
What's odd is that the trains still run/physically move up and down the tracks. But access to the stations is closed off.
This almost caught me out for a flight that left early and also returned early - I only at the last second decided to park in the central ramp vs. the extended parking. I saw the trains moving up and down the tracks both on my departure and arrival, so this is confusing.
#1357
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,508
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.
Also, the ATS may say it closes at 10:30pm, but at 10:25, we were being redirected to the buses at T5, so it may be the last passenger gets out at 10:30, not that they accept pax until then for those who are coming right at closing time.
#1358
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
Are we sure that MCT domestic to domestic is 40 minutes (per the Wiki)?
my Alb/ord/last flight has just 35 minutes - eagle to mainline transfer in ORD. I am a slow walker (sitting in J). Doable?
It’s not the last flight out of Ord, but I’m worried I’d have to drop back into Y, or stay overnight if I misconnect.
other options seem to be through PHL but no E175. The earlier routing through Ordis the same 35 minutes, but at least a better chance of arriving home in J same day.
wish I could get a lie flat by routing through jFK but ALB-JFK not a route American flies
my Alb/ord/last flight has just 35 minutes - eagle to mainline transfer in ORD. I am a slow walker (sitting in J). Doable?
It’s not the last flight out of Ord, but I’m worried I’d have to drop back into Y, or stay overnight if I misconnect.
other options seem to be through PHL but no E175. The earlier routing through Ordis the same 35 minutes, but at least a better chance of arriving home in J same day.
wish I could get a lie flat by routing through jFK but ALB-JFK not a route American flies
#1359
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Are we sure that MCT domestic to domestic is 40 minutes (per the Wiki)?
my Alb/ord/last flight has just 35 minutes - eagle to mainline transfer in ORD. I am a slow walker (sitting in J). Doable?
It’s not the last flight out of Ord, but I’m worried I’d have to drop back into Y, or stay overnight if I misconnect.
other options seem to be through PHL but no E175. The earlier routing through Ordis the same 35 minutes, but at least a better chance of arriving home in J same day.
wish I could get a lie flat by routing through jFK but ALB-JFK not a route American flies
my Alb/ord/last flight has just 35 minutes - eagle to mainline transfer in ORD. I am a slow walker (sitting in J). Doable?
It’s not the last flight out of Ord, but I’m worried I’d have to drop back into Y, or stay overnight if I misconnect.
other options seem to be through PHL but no E175. The earlier routing through Ordis the same 35 minutes, but at least a better chance of arriving home in J same day.
wish I could get a lie flat by routing through jFK but ALB-JFK not a route American flies
#1361
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA MM, AA PPro
Posts: 1,480
It's possible, but leaves very little margin of error. I'd say you can get between any two points in T3 in under 15 minutes without running, even going from high-G to high-H/K. Add to that the time to deplane and having to be at the gate 10 min before departure, and it's the 35 min MCT right there.
#1362
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
It's possible, but leaves very little margin of error. I'd say you can get between any two points in T3 in under 15 minutes without running, even going from high-G to high-H/K. Add to that the time to deplane and having to be at the gate 10 min before departure, and it's the 35 min MCT right there.
#1363
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Gold Elite, Lowly kettle across every other loyalty program.
Posts: 778
So what does AA do if you miss that 35 minute connection? If your incoming flight lands 15 minutes late, you'll miss that connection. AA seems to have reduced its MCT for its hubs since the last time I've flown AA. Is this a maneuver to increase their kickback from travel insurance?
#1364
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 540
So what does AA do if you miss that 35 minute connection? If your incoming flight lands 15 minutes late, you'll miss that connection. AA seems to have reduced its MCT for its hubs since the last time I've flown AA. Is this a maneuver to increase their kickback from travel insurance?
#1365
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,773
Whats connecting like at present?
Flying into the IAB from LHR on AA and then connecting to LAX on AA 2hrs or so late from a H gate.
Checked bag, but taking it as hand baggage on my next flight. GE as well, although possibly I'll beat the bag with that.
Flying into the IAB from LHR on AA and then connecting to LAX on AA 2hrs or so late from a H gate.
Checked bag, but taking it as hand baggage on my next flight. GE as well, although possibly I'll beat the bag with that.