Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > American Airlines | AAdvantage
Reload this Page >

AA Guide: ORD / Chicago O'Hare International Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Oct 18, 2015, 7:37 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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 by Alaska 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.



Print Wikipost

AA Guide: ORD / Chicago O'Hare International Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 17, 2017, 8:29 am
  #646  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,926
Originally Posted by lkar
It was the T5 experience that caused the delay. Every gate filled and shoulder to shoulder in the baggage area after immigration.
The baggage area can be quite a mess and the exit lines long and slow. The addition of a GE exit has made a huge difference for those who qualify. However, woe betide you if you get sent to Agriculture as they seem to have very long lines of late.
MADPhil is offline  
Old Aug 17, 2017, 11:32 am
  #647  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
Landed at T5 at 10:53 am, collected luggage, re-checked it, etc. In the Concourse G Admirals club by 12:03.

I would have made it 30 minutes sooner, but spouse did not get TSA Pre-check on the domestic leg. Rather than tell her to meet me in the club, I opted to hang out just inside the checkpoint and thus stay married, then make a quick stop at Garrett's popcorn to further placate the persecuted.
CloudCoder is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2017, 7:30 pm
  #648  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,937
Coming in HKG-ORD on CX arriving at 1:55 PM and need to purchase separate domestic leg. I can do an AA at 8 PM or a UA at 3:50 PM. Obviously would rather the UA but worried about connection time. I've got trip insurance so would be covered if inbound was late. What would you all suggest? Will be dragging whole fam along. All US citizens but no global entry. Presumably can acces admirals lounge bc of CX J seats which would make the longer layover more tolerable. But will be exhausted.
Stgermainparis is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2017, 10:49 pm
  #649  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
Originally Posted by Stgermainparis
Coming in HKG-ORD on CX arriving at 1:55 PM and need to purchase separate domestic leg. I can do an AA at 8 PM or a UA at 3:50 PM. Obviously would rather the UA but worried about connection time. I've got trip insurance so would be covered if inbound was late. What would you all suggest? Will be dragging whole fam along. All US citizens but no global entry. Presumably can acces admirals lounge bc of CX J seats which would make the longer layover more tolerable. But will be exhausted.
What's the domestic leg? It is easier to brainstorm if one has complete information.
aktchi is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2017, 11:09 pm
  #650  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Originally Posted by CloudCoder
Landed at T5 at 10:53 am, collected luggage, re-checked it, etc. In the Concourse G Admirals club by 12:03.

I would have made it 30 minutes sooner, but spouse did not get TSA Pre-check on the domestic leg. Rather than tell her to meet me in the club, I opted to hang out just inside the checkpoint and thus stay married, then make a quick stop at Garrett's popcorn to further placate the persecuted.
You are very wise......
jcatman is offline  
Old Aug 19, 2017, 11:21 pm
  #651  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,937
Originally Posted by aktchi
What's the domestic leg? It is easier to brainstorm if one has complete information.
ORD-MEM
Stgermainparis is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2017, 7:46 pm
  #652  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
Originally Posted by Stgermainparis
ORD-MEM
On most days there also appears to be an AA flight at 4:55 PM. Is this not available on your date for some reason?

If 8PM is the only safe option, then an out of the box choice would be to simply plan to overnight at ORD, sleep in, and leave comfortably late morning next day. Lots of hotel options around, just depends on your budget, hotel points, etc.

But wait, you can just book the earlier 3:50 PM flight, wait for the immigration lines to work their normal magic, and let the insurance pay for the hotel.
aktchi is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2017, 11:23 pm
  #653  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,937
Originally Posted by aktchi
On most days there also appears to be an AA flight at 4:55 PM. Is this not available on your date for some reason?

If 8PM is the only safe option, then an out of the box choice would be to simply plan to overnight at ORD, sleep in, and leave comfortably late morning next day. Lots of hotel options around, just depends on your budget, hotel points, etc.

But wait, you can just book the earlier 3:50 PM flight, wait for the immigration lines to work their normal magic, and let the insurance pay for the hotel.
Grrr. The 4:55 doesn't show for my dates. You have a point though. Book UA and then if delayed invoke insurance for hotel. I've got both Chase CSR and Allianz independent insurance. I'd be covered, right? Or is there some sort of minimum connection time I have to meet? Or any issue with separate tix? I'd rather make it on the flight but this might be the way to go.
Stgermainparis is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2017, 11:55 pm
  #654  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
Originally Posted by Stgermainparis
Grrr. The 4:55 doesn't show for my dates. You have a point though. Book UA and then if delayed invoke insurance for hotel. I've got both Chase CSR and Allianz independent insurance. I'd be covered, right? Or is there some sort of minimum connection time I have to meet? Or any issue with separate tix? I'd rather make it on the flight but this might be the way to go.
I don't have much experience with insurance, so I'll let someone else pick up on that.

However, I have become a big fan of breaking a long journey with a night in a real bed, sleeping in, and moving on with a late morning flight. Just in case you are not familiar with ORD: there is Hilton attached to the airport itself and just about any chain / brand a short ride away.

I'd be willing to do this with my own dime, even without insurance. Not only would this give me the much needed rest, it will also take out the "separate tickets" anxiety because one can't possibly miss the next morning's flight.

Finally, I don't know which flight search engine you are using, but try another one for 4:55PM AA flight. If you really want to keep moving on, then this would be a good fit..

Good luck.

Last edited by aktchi; Aug 21, 2017 at 12:06 am
aktchi is offline  
Old Aug 21, 2017, 6:30 am
  #655  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,937
Originally Posted by aktchi
I don't have much experience with insurance, so I'll let someone else pick up on that.

However, I have become a big fan of breaking a long journey with a night in a real bed, sleeping in, and moving on with a late morning flight. Just in case you are not familiar with ORD: there is Hilton attached to the airport itself and just about any chain / brand a short ride away.

I'd be willing to do this with my own dime, even without insurance. Not only would this give me the much needed rest, it will also take out the "separate tickets" anxiety because one can't possibly miss the next morning's flight.

Finally, I don't know which flight search engine you are using, but try another one for 4:55PM AA flight. If you really want to keep moving on, then this would be a good fit..

Good luck.
I hear you. But we will be with our three kids, which means not only two rooms but a whole big PITA. If it was just me, I'd do it (and have). Using ITA Matrix for flight searches. It's next July so summer routes may be different. I'm going to find out about minimum connection times and also email ins provider.
Stgermainparis is offline  
Old Aug 21, 2017, 6:50 am
  #656  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,122
Originally Posted by Stgermainparis
I hear you. But we will be with our three kids, which means not only two rooms but a whole big PITA. If it was just me, I'd do it (and have). Using ITA Matrix for flight searches. It's next July so summer routes may be different. I'm going to find out about minimum connection times and also email ins provider.
I just did a dummy booking search ORD-MEM on the AA site for mid-July. I don't see a 4:55 PM flight either.

The nonstop flights on AA go from 1:40 PM to 8:05 PM ... nothing in between.
cheltzel is offline  
Old Aug 21, 2017, 1:02 pm
  #657  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
Originally Posted by Stgermainparis
I hear you. But we will be with our three kids, which means not only two rooms but a whole big PITA. If it was just me, I'd do it (and have). Using ITA Matrix for flight searches. It's next July so summer routes may be different. I'm going to find out about minimum connection times and also email ins provider.
Yes do check with Cahse as well as Allianz re the scope of insurance coverage in case of misconnect (hotel, tickets, both?) as well as any conditions (separate tickets, connection time etc). Also with AA re lounge access. Then you will be able to decide.

Too bad about AA's July schedule. Not knowing the travel dates, I think I only checked a few random dates in Nov, Feb etc.
aktchi is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2017, 4:19 am
  #658  
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: delta, Marriott
Posts: 30
Is this a legal connection?

We have an upcoming cvg-fco itinerary that aa has changed and I'm not sure it is currently legal but I've seen conflicting info.

Cvg-ord arriving 1600 on American eagle
ord-mad departing 1635 on iberia

the first post in this thread indicates that 40min is the mct for di transfers at ord but other sources report 35min. Which is it?

This flight is in December so I don't think there's any chance of making the connection and I'm looking for a way to change it.

Ubfortunately it goes on to requiring a 55 minute connection in mad. The itinerary was tight when I booked it but they've managed to compress it down to the absolute minimum.
dougmh is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2017, 4:40 am
  #659  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,122
Originally Posted by dougmh
We have an upcoming cvg-fco itinerary that aa has changed and I'm not sure it is currently legal but I've seen conflicting info.

Cvg-ord arriving 1600 on American eagle
ord-mad departing 1635 on iberia

the first post in this thread indicates that 40min is the mct for di transfers at ord but other sources report 35min. Which is it?

This flight is in December so I don't think there's any chance of making the connection and I'm looking for a way to change it.

Ubfortunately it goes on to requiring a 55 minute connection in mad. The itinerary was tight when I booked it but they've managed to compress it down to the absolute minimum.
The published AA-IB DI transfer is 35 minutes. Since it is a T3 to T3 transfer you can make it assuming everything is on time. But if your incoming flight is only 10 or 15 minutes late you will probably not be able to make your IB flight. I would call in and get a longer connection.

[KVS Tool 8.5.8/Diamond - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: ORD/AA-IB]
Code:
DD DI ID II
STANDARD: ORD 050 075 090 090

INTER-AIRPORT: ORD TO DPA 240 240 240 240
ORD TO GYY 240 240 240 240
ORD TO MDW 160 240 160 160
ORD TO PWK 180 240 180 240
ORD TO RFD 240 240 240 240
ORD TO ZUN 240 240 240 240

EXCEPTIONS:
A/L FLT-NBR EQP TR DEPARR AREA EFF / DISC

AA 3 --- 075 --- ---
IB 5

-ALL- --- 075 --- ---
IB 5

AA W 3 CA --- 050 --- ---
IB

AA 3 CA --- 045 --- ---
IB

AA W 3 --- 040 --- ---
IB

AA 3 --- 035 --- ---
IB 

AA 0001-9099 CU --- --- --- SUP
IB

AA W --- --- --- 085
IB


---------------------------------------------------------------

[DD] Domestic To Domestic [DEP] Departure Airport
[DI] Domestic To Intl [ARR] Arrival Airport
[ID] Intl To Domestic [A/L] Airline
[II] Intl To Intl [TR] Terminal
[EQP W] Wide-Body Aircraft [EFF] Effective Date
[EQP N] Narrow-Body Aircraft [SUP] Suppressed/Prohibited
cheltzel is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2017, 6:29 am
  #660  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
Originally Posted by dougmh
Cvg-ord arriving 1600 on American eagle
ord-mad departing 1635 on iberia
Even if the incoming flight is on-time, it arrives after boarding has started on the Iberia flight.

Best bet: re-book for a longer connection.
CloudCoder is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.