Last edit by: TEDisgone
Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.
At Chicago O’Hare (ORD), American Airlines operates out of Terminal 3
AA Ticket counters Open daily: 3:30am to 10:00pm
Flagship Check-in: Yes
Five Star Service: Yes
Curbside check-in: International only
Check-in times
In most locations, you must be checked in:
At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States
At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to or from airports outside of the United States
Peculiarities:
ORD can be affected by winter storms or very heavy air traffic; ground holds even at incoming flights' departures airports, are not uncommon at these times. Knock-on effects during lengthy IROPS can manifest themselves systemwide.
NOTE: AA has 66 gates at Terminal 3, and has added five more at Concourse.Alaska, Iberia, and Japan Airlines all depart AA T-3. Alaska has moved to Terminal 2. All international arrivals are at Terminal 5, many international departures as well. AB, BA, CX, EY, QR, RJ depart T-5.
International arrivals from Canada airports without USCBP pre-clearance are sometimes listed as arriving at "IAB" - International Arrivals Building. These aircraft's passengers will not arrive at T-3 as domestic passengers; by Federal law, they must be cleared by USCBP, and that facility is at T-5.
There is no airside connection T-3 <--> T-5; one must go landside and use the free "ATS" airport train. Flyers connecting to BA departing T-5 may use the airside shuttle bus departing near gates G17 and K20. Every half hour 11 am - 9 pm. Sign with orange dot. TTB SERVICE HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED - TTB service takes travelers from the domestic terminals (1, 2, & 3) to Terminal 5 without having to exit security or be rescreened in Terminal 5 at the TSA checkpoint. [Still suspended as of 4/30/2022] Airside connection has been restored March 1, 2023 - SEE BELOW
Operating terminals and gates
Terminal 1 is used by All Nippon Airlines (Departures), Ethiopian (Departures), Lufthansa (Departures), and United.
Terminal 2 is used by Air Canada, Alaska,Delta, and previously US Airways, jetBlue, along with many United Express flights.
Terminal 3 is used byAlaska Airlines, American Airlines and for departures only by Iberia and Japan Airlines (exception: arriving international flights that have been USCBP cleared, e.g. originating in Canada or DUB, arrive at Terminal 3 as domestic flights). Other airlines flying domestically and not mentioned above are also handled in Terminal 3.
Concourse G is used mostly for American Eagle flights
Concourse H and K are used for mainline flights
Concourse K gates 12-20 are typically used for international flights
Concourse L is used mostly for American Eagle flights (as well as non-oneworld carriers)
Terminal 5 is now both an international and domestic terminal. Among the international flights, the following oneworld carriers depart and arrive here: British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Qatar Airways, and Royal Jordanian; arriving international American Airlines, Iberia and Japan Airlines flights all arrive here as well. In fact, all arriving international passengers from places without pre-clearance will arrive at Terminal 5.
Domestic carriers now using Terminal 5 are: Delta and Delta Shuttle, Frontier, Southwest, and Sun Country.
Getting from terminal to terminal
Landside transfers are normally done by using the Airport Transit System train, which also connects to the airport car parks.The ATS is currently out of service with substitute buses operating at present. April 18, 2022: ATS service has been fully restored and is operating 24/7 daily.
Terminals are connected by frequent landside buses, and AA T3 - International T5 are connected by an airside Terminal Transit Bus (TTB). If you have a boarding pass for your connection (or a printed itinerary of flight confirmation), you can use this bus, boarding at G17 or K20 and arriving airside at T5 Gate M1. The TTB runs 7 days a week, 1100 / 11 am to 2100 / 9 pm while the ATS is shut down, but seasonally and with shorter hours when it is. At other times you must exit landside and use the landside bus.
If you arrive at O'Hare on an international flight you will arrive at Terminal 5. If you have a connecting domestic flight from T1-2-3. You must use the landside bus to T3 after you process Immigration and exit Customs. You will be required to pass through security at T3. Landside busses are frequent. May 1, 2022: Shuttle buses ended.
Airside:
walking corridors connect Terminals 1, 2 and 3 between terminals. (ATS landslide train must be used to connect to or from Terminal 5 outside of shuttle bus operating times.)
For those holding boarding passes on same day flights out of Terminal 5 (International Terminal), a shuttle bus will operate from T-3 (From Gates G17 and K20) to T-5 (Gate M13) between 11:30 am and 9:30 pm.[Still suspended as of 4/30/2022] March 1, 2023: Service restored. Connecting Traveler Information
Walking between terminals
Walking airside between terminals airside is possible (other than Terminal 5). There are no shortcuts and it can take significant time.
Arrival at the airport:
Within the U.S. as well as flights to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, check in:
At least 30 minutes prior to departure (if not checking bags)
At least 45 minutes prior to departure when checking bags
For flights to international destinations check in:
At least two hours prior to departure to complete all necessary international requirements
Minimum time for checking in and arriving at the gate
To better ensure an on-time departure, our goal is to close the jetbridge door 10 minutes before departure time. This allows all customers to board and stow their belongings. (AA may release your seat if you show up at your gates less than 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure.)
To retain your pre-reserved seat on a confirmed flight, make sure to follow the minimum check in and gate arrival times.*
Time to baggage delivery:
minimum 20 minutes
Security at ORD
May 2016: security queues have been quite lengthy at times, requiring up to an hour to pass through security, even at PreCheck queues. Options include:
If you have Flagship Check-In privileges, they will place you at the head of the security queue next to that check-in area.
You may choose to process security at Terminal 2 and walk airside to the AA gates (UA is only slightly better than AA). If you have CLEAR, you might want to consider clearing security here.
The mid-terminal Pre-Check line tends to be better than the one at priority security.
Note: coming out from International Terminal Arrivals immigration and customs, you are landside and may find yourself with two options: leave the building land side, or take the escalators or lifts to the ATS train platform to proceed to the other terminals or remote parking lot. To access the other terminals, you will have to process through TSA security.
What is the domestic to domestic or to international Minimum Connection Time (MCT)?
The minimum connect time at ORD, domestic to domestic or international, is 0:40 minutes. Domestic to international is easy if your international flight departs the AA terminal, but domestic to International terminal is comfortably done in 2:00 (not the official MCT, 1:15), because of the lack of connectedness between terminals. International arrival at Terminal 5 with flight departing Terminal 3, Global Entry is likely to allow 2:00 or even less, but non-U.S. or Canadian passport holders with checked baggage might use 3:00 as a better guideline.
If I am making an international to international connection, what is the process?
There is no international transit process in nearly all airports in the USA (MIA has a baggage exception for international to international). Arriving internationally, unless you have been pre-cleared, you must proceed through U. S. immigration (there are kiosks and a fast channel for Global Entry approved passengers), recover your baggage from the baggage carousel and proceed through U. S. Customs. There is a "green line" shortcut for passengers traveling only with carry-on baggage (no checked luggage) which is called "1 Stop" and there are Global Entry kiosks and there have fairly recently been dedicated Global Entry customs lines added, which ORD lacked for a very long time. Global Entry kiosks are located both in the central part of the main immigration hall area, as well as in the hall next to the 1-Stop exit.
Upon exiting Customs there is a bag drop facility; drop your checked baggage, exit to the landside arrivals area. Proceed to the the AA terminal on the ATS train, to counters or kiosks to get boarding passes for your ongoing travel, then proceed through TSA security to airside.
At Chicago O’Hare (ORD), American Airlines operates out of Terminal 3
AA Ticket counters Open daily: 3:30am to 10:00pm
Flagship Check-in: Yes
Five Star Service: Yes
Curbside check-in: International only
Check-in times
In most locations, you must be checked in:
At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States
At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to or from airports outside of the United States
Peculiarities:
ORD can be affected by winter storms or very heavy air traffic; ground holds even at incoming flights' departures airports, are not uncommon at these times. Knock-on effects during lengthy IROPS can manifest themselves systemwide.
NOTE: AA has 66 gates at Terminal 3, and has added five more at Concourse.
International arrivals from Canada airports without USCBP pre-clearance are sometimes listed as arriving at "IAB" - International Arrivals Building. These aircraft's passengers will not arrive at T-3 as domestic passengers; by Federal law, they must be cleared by USCBP, and that facility is at T-5.
Operating terminals and gates
Terminal 1 is used by All Nippon Airlines (Departures), Ethiopian (Departures), Lufthansa (Departures), and United.
Terminal 2 is used by Air Canada, Alaska,
Terminal 3 is used by
Concourse G is used mostly for American Eagle flights
Concourse H and K are used for mainline flights
Concourse K gates 12-20 are typically used for international flights
Concourse L is used mostly for American Eagle flights (as well as non-oneworld carriers)
Terminal 5 is now both an international and domestic terminal. Among the international flights, the following oneworld carriers depart and arrive here: British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Qatar Airways, and Royal Jordanian; arriving international American Airlines, Iberia and Japan Airlines flights all arrive here as well. In fact, all arriving international passengers from places without pre-clearance will arrive at Terminal 5.
Domestic carriers now using Terminal 5 are: Delta and Delta Shuttle, Frontier, Southwest, and Sun Country.
Getting from terminal to terminal
Landside transfers are normally done by using the Airport Transit System train, which also connects to the airport car parks.
If you arrive at O'Hare on an international flight you will arrive at Terminal 5. If you have a connecting domestic flight from T1-2-3. You must use the landside bus to T3 after you process Immigration and exit Customs. You will be required to pass through security at T3. Landside busses are frequent.
Airside:
walking corridors connect Terminals 1, 2 and 3 between terminals. (ATS landslide train must be used to connect to or from Terminal 5 outside of shuttle bus operating times.)
For those holding boarding passes on same day flights out of Terminal 5 (International Terminal), a shuttle bus will operate from T-3 (From Gates G17 and K20) to T-5 (Gate M13) between 11:30 am and 9:30 pm.
Walking between terminals
Walking airside between terminals airside is possible (other than Terminal 5). There are no shortcuts and it can take significant time.
Arrival at the airport:
Within the U.S. as well as flights to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, check in:
At least 30 minutes prior to departure (if not checking bags)
At least 45 minutes prior to departure when checking bags
For flights to international destinations check in:
At least two hours prior to departure to complete all necessary international requirements
Minimum time for checking in and arriving at the gate
To better ensure an on-time departure, our goal is to close the jetbridge door 10 minutes before departure time. This allows all customers to board and stow their belongings. (AA may release your seat if you show up at your gates less than 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure.)
To retain your pre-reserved seat on a confirmed flight, make sure to follow the minimum check in and gate arrival times.*
Time to baggage delivery:
minimum 20 minutes
Security at ORD
May 2016: security queues have been quite lengthy at times, requiring up to an hour to pass through security, even at PreCheck queues. Options include:
If you have Flagship Check-In privileges, they will place you at the head of the security queue next to that check-in area.
You may choose to process security at Terminal 2 and walk airside to the AA gates (UA is only slightly better than AA). If you have CLEAR, you might want to consider clearing security here.
The mid-terminal Pre-Check line tends to be better than the one at priority security.
Note: coming out from International Terminal Arrivals immigration and customs, you are landside and may find yourself with two options: leave the building land side, or take the escalators or lifts to the ATS train platform to proceed to the other terminals or remote parking lot. To access the other terminals, you will have to process through TSA security.
What is the domestic to domestic or to international Minimum Connection Time (MCT)?
The minimum connect time at ORD, domestic to domestic or international, is 0:40 minutes. Domestic to international is easy if your international flight departs the AA terminal, but domestic to International terminal is comfortably done in 2:00 (not the official MCT, 1:15), because of the lack of connectedness between terminals. International arrival at Terminal 5 with flight departing Terminal 3, Global Entry is likely to allow 2:00 or even less, but non-U.S. or Canadian passport holders with checked baggage might use 3:00 as a better guideline.
If I am making an international to international connection, what is the process?
There is no international transit process in nearly all airports in the USA (MIA has a baggage exception for international to international). Arriving internationally, unless you have been pre-cleared, you must proceed through U. S. immigration (there are kiosks and a fast channel for Global Entry approved passengers), recover your baggage from the baggage carousel and proceed through U. S. Customs. There is a "green line" shortcut for passengers traveling only with carry-on baggage (no checked luggage) which is called "1 Stop" and there are Global Entry kiosks and there have fairly recently been dedicated Global Entry customs lines added, which ORD lacked for a very long time. Global Entry kiosks are located both in the central part of the main immigration hall area, as well as in the hall next to the 1-Stop exit.
Upon exiting Customs there is a bag drop facility; drop your checked baggage, exit to the landside arrivals area. Proceed to the the AA terminal on the ATS train, to counters or kiosks to get boarding passes for your ongoing travel, then proceed through TSA security to airside.
AA Guide: ORD / Chicago O'Hare International Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.
#752
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 32
#753
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,212
But IF MAN has CBP preclearance like AA told apparently told you (and I don't see that on their website) you'd arrive at a domestic terminal and connect without immigration (as you did that prior to arrival) and already past TSA. I hope someone with more knowledge chimes in....
#754
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,122
MAN may be a preclearance airport
I was doing some research on MAN and it looks like it is on the CBP list for new preclearance airports (link).
I found other articles as late as July 2017 indicating that this is still in the planning stages and it could take up to 5 years to implement. Since there is no preclearance this is not a legal connection and AA will make the changes for the OP without charge. I'd hang up and call again.
I found other articles as late as July 2017 indicating that this is still in the planning stages and it could take up to 5 years to implement. Since there is no preclearance this is not a legal connection and AA will make the changes for the OP without charge. I'd hang up and call again.
#756
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 32
I was doing some research on MAN and it looks like it is on the CBP list for new preclearance airports (link).
I found other articles as late as July 2017 indicating that this is still in the planning stages and it could take up to 5 years to implement. Since there is no preclearance this is not a legal connection and AA will make the changes for the OP without charge. I'd hang up and call again.
I found other articles as late as July 2017 indicating that this is still in the planning stages and it could take up to 5 years to implement. Since there is no preclearance this is not a legal connection and AA will make the changes for the OP without charge. I'd hang up and call again.
Thanks for everyone's help.
#757
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,122
I rang AA again and they still said that the computer shows 65 minutes is a valid connection time, but because this was an involuntary change to my flight they could look at booking me on another flight if I wasn't happy with the 65 minute connection. So they've now changed my flight so I'm going MAN-PHL and PHL-LAS with a 2h10m connection time which is much better.
Thanks for everyone's help.
Thanks for everyone's help.
#758
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: KT7
Programs: BA & BD Gold Once Upon a Time
Posts: 530
I have a 38 min connection time in ORD T3 when flying from FLL to LHR on AA with the family. Flight connects with the last (11pm) flight from Chicago to Heathrow. However, MCT is 40 mins, so worried 38 mins is a bit tight, but is on the AA published timetable and you can buy tickets on AA.com
I’m not too worried about missing the connection if the FLL flight is late, as spending a night in Chicago will not disrupt our plan too much. Presumably in the worst case AA would pick up the hotel if we missed the connection as it’s a through ticket, on a published AA timetable route?
I’m not too worried about missing the connection if the FLL flight is late, as spending a night in Chicago will not disrupt our plan too much. Presumably in the worst case AA would pick up the hotel if we missed the connection as it’s a through ticket, on a published AA timetable route?
#759
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,641
I have a 38 min connection time in ORD T3 when flying from FLL to LHR on AA with the family. Flight connects with the last (11pm) flight from Chicago to Heathrow. However, MCT is 40 mins, so worried 38 mins is a bit tight, but is on the AA published timetable and you can buy tickets on AA.com
I’m not too worried about missing the connection if the FLL flight is late, as spending a night in Chicago will not disrupt our plan too much. Presumably in the worst case AA would pick up the hotel if we missed the connection as it’s a through ticket, on a published AA timetable route?
I’m not too worried about missing the connection if the FLL flight is late, as spending a night in Chicago will not disrupt our plan too much. Presumably in the worst case AA would pick up the hotel if we missed the connection as it’s a through ticket, on a published AA timetable route?
I would personally avoid this itinerary.
#760
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA MM, AA PPro
Posts: 1,480
I have a 38 min connection time in ORD T3 when flying from FLL to LHR on AA with the family. Flight connects with the last (11pm) flight from Chicago to Heathrow. However, MCT is 40 mins, so worried 38 mins is a bit tight, but is on the AA published timetable and you can buy tickets on AA.com
I’m not too worried about missing the connection if the FLL flight is late, as spending a night in Chicago will not disrupt our plan too much. Presumably in the worst case AA would pick up the hotel if we missed the connection as it’s a through ticket, on a published AA timetable route?
I’m not too worried about missing the connection if the FLL flight is late, as spending a night in Chicago will not disrupt our plan too much. Presumably in the worst case AA would pick up the hotel if we missed the connection as it’s a through ticket, on a published AA timetable route?
ETA: Like NK15, I would avoid it, if possible. Getting rebooked on a next-day flight is not fun: there may not be seats together, or no seats in the MCE section, or (if weather disruptions are widespread) no seats at all on non-stops next day.
#761
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: KT7
Programs: BA & BD Gold Once Upon a Time
Posts: 530
No chance of that as it’s all booked and payed for.
Not worried about the luggage as we’ll be returning home from vacation, and there must be hundreds of permutations of getting a family of 4 back from ORD to LHR the following day should the worst happen.
This is a weekend in mid-October by the way, so definitely not peak season.
Not worried about the luggage as we’ll be returning home from vacation, and there must be hundreds of permutations of getting a family of 4 back from ORD to LHR the following day should the worst happen.
This is a weekend in mid-October by the way, so definitely not peak season.
#762
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,641
No chance of that as it’s all booked and payed for.
Not worried about the luggage as we’ll be returning home from vacation, and there must be hundreds of permutations of getting a family of 4 back from ORD to LHR the following day should the worst happen.
This is a weekend in mid-October by the way, so definitely not peak season.
#763
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
No chance of that as it’s all booked and payed for.
Not worried about the luggage as we’ll be returning home from vacation, and there must be hundreds of permutations of getting a family of 4 back from ORD to LHR the following day should the worst happen.
This is a weekend in mid-October by the way, so definitely not peak season.
Booked and paid for, OK. If MCT is 40 minutes, and your connection is 38 minutes, that is still not a legal connection. If you are so inclined you can call and get moved to an earlier flight at no charge. Just let the agent know of the connection being below MCT.
Even IF you make it on time, how long does it take to get off the plane from then? Boading for the LHR flight will start 7 minutes before your arrival, and close no later than 28 minutes from your scheduled arrival time, and maybe even 23 minutes.
If it weren’t the last flight out, maybe there is reason to gamble. However that’s a big risk to take.
#764
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,437
No chance of that as it’s all booked and payed for.
Not worried about the luggage as we’ll be returning home from vacation, and there must be hundreds of permutations of getting a family of 4 back from ORD to LHR the following day should the worst happen.
This is a weekend in mid-October by the way, so definitely not peak season.
I wouldn't worry, as mentioned above it's tight but doable. Looking at ExpertFlyer the standard D-I MCT at ORD is 35 mins, so you're actually just above that.
And October is still a ways away, keep an eye on your itinerary as its highly likely you'll have one or more schedule changes before then, which will give you the opportunity to switch to a better connection.
Worst case there are lots of ORD-LHR options as you said, including a daytime flight the next morning, which are usually lightly loaded and would get you back the same day as planned, albeit late in the evening.
#765
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,990
MCT at ORD AA Domestic to AA International can be as low as 35 minutes. This is a little ridiculous IMHO.
The trouble is, there are not that many flights from FLL to ORD; the previous flight arriving 7:13pm, over 3 hours earlier.
Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com
The trouble is, there are not that many flights from FLL to ORD; the previous flight arriving 7:13pm, over 3 hours earlier.
Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com
Code:
Minimum Connect Times: Connecting at ORD Incoming airline AA Outgoing airline AA Flight type Domestic to International STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I. ONLINE .50 1.15 1.30 1.30 OFFLINE .50 1.15 1.30 1.30 ** OR * ARE ALL AA-AA DI 1.15 FLT 6780 - 7099 - FLT 6100 - 6779 PDX - LHR AA-AA DI 1.15 FLT 7454 - 7637 - FLT 6100 - 6779 PDX - LHR AA-AA DI 1.00 FLT 1 - 6099 - FLT 1 - 9099 FPO - ALL TRM 3 - 3 AA-AA DI 1.00 FLT 1 - 6099 - FLT 1 - 9099 NAS - ALL TRM 3 - 3 AA-AA DI SUP FLT 1 - 9099 - FLT 1 - 9099 CANADA - CANADA AA-AA DI .55 FLT 1 - 6099 - FLT 1 - 6099 ALL - CUBA AA-AA DI 1.30 FLT 1 - 9099 - FLT 9045 - 9099 TRM 3 - 5 OPN -24MAR18 AA-AA DI 1.30 FLT 1 - 6099 - FLT 8880 - 8969 TRM 3 - 5 AA-AA DI 2.00 FLT 1 - 9099 - FLT 7181 - 7210 TRM 3 - 5 AA-AA DI 1.15 FLT 6100 - 8073 - FLT 1 - 6099 OPN -22FEB18 AA-AA DI 1.15 FLT 1 - 6099 - FLT 7950 - 8014 AA-AA DI 1.30 FLT 1 - 6099 - FLT 8880 - 8969 AA-AA DI 1.15 FLT 8314 - 9099 - FLT 1 - 6099 AA-AA DI 1.15 FLT 6100 - 8074 - FLT 1 - 6099 23FEB18-INF AA-AA DI SUP FLT 6100 - 9099 - FLT 6100 - 9099 AA-AA DI 1.15 ALL - FLT 6100 - 9099 TRM 3 - 5 AA-AA DI .50 EQP W - ALL CANADA - ALL AA-AA DI .55 EQP W - ALL IRELAND - ALL AA-AA DI .40 EQP W - ALL AA-AA DI .45 CANADA - ALL AA-AA DI .50 IRELAND - ALL AA-AA DI .35 **-AA DI SUP ALL - FLT 1 - 9099 ALL - CUBA **-AA DI SUP CANADA - CANADA AA-** DI SUP FLT 6100 - 9099 - ALL