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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.
#1051
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 376
Hoping to not check bags...
Idea was to enter T3 with Precheck (quick), go to AC, then saunter over to the T5 shuttle with some time to spare, but the shuttle seems to be the wild card in all of this.
I have seen others claim to be able to enter T3 on T5 codeshares, but that's hearsay
Idea was to enter T3 with Precheck (quick), go to AC, then saunter over to the T5 shuttle with some time to spare, but the shuttle seems to be the wild card in all of this.
I have seen others claim to be able to enter T3 on T5 codeshares, but that's hearsay
#1052
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,815
It depends on the crew--some care and some won't. Feel them out during the flight. If you are able to make friends, they definitely will help.
#1053
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,815
ORD is home base for me and the starting point for this trip, so time is whatever will make me comfortable, I guess.
I don't have a great impression of T5 so the idea of hanging out there for 90+ minutes isn't all that appealing.
If OLCI is available for an international codeshare, that would be great. I've heard about the bus being bad/untimely, but I've also heard it got quite a bit better.
I don't have a great impression of T5 so the idea of hanging out there for 90+ minutes isn't all that appealing.
If OLCI is available for an international codeshare, that would be great. I've heard about the bus being bad/untimely, but I've also heard it got quite a bit better.
#1054
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chicagoland
Programs: AA exp 3mm Hertz 5*
Posts: 334
Hoping to not check bags...
Idea was to enter T3 with Precheck (quick), go to AC, then saunter over to the T5 shuttle with some time to spare, but the shuttle seems to be the wild card in all of this.
I have seen others claim to be able to enter T3 on T5 codeshares, but that's hearsay
Idea was to enter T3 with Precheck (quick), go to AC, then saunter over to the T5 shuttle with some time to spare, but the shuttle seems to be the wild card in all of this.
I have seen others claim to be able to enter T3 on T5 codeshares, but that's hearsay
Last edited by Snuggs; Apr 15, 2019 at 10:05 am
#1056
MCT is referenced as 0:40
I booked a ticket for 2 from BUF-CLT-ORD-RST that I just noticed has a 47 min connection ORD (2817 CLT-ORD arriving 12:28pm connecting to 3016 1:15pm ORD-RST). Anyone make connections like this in that time?
9/27 25k *2 MilesAAver 1st class
I booked a ticket for 2 from BUF-CLT-ORD-RST that I just noticed has a 47 min connection ORD (2817 CLT-ORD arriving 12:28pm connecting to 3016 1:15pm ORD-RST). Anyone make connections like this in that time?
9/27 25k *2 MilesAAver 1st class
#1057
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,482
MCT is referenced as 0:40
I booked a ticket for 2 from BUF-CLT-ORD-RST that I just noticed has a 47 min connection ORD (2817 CLT-ORD arriving 12:28pm connecting to 3016 1:15pm ORD-RST). Anyone make connections like this in that time?
9/27 25k *2 MilesAAver 1st class
I booked a ticket for 2 from BUF-CLT-ORD-RST that I just noticed has a 47 min connection ORD (2817 CLT-ORD arriving 12:28pm connecting to 3016 1:15pm ORD-RST). Anyone make connections like this in that time?
9/27 25k *2 MilesAAver 1st class
If this was a once-in-a-lifetime international trip then I would be squeamish about 47 mins at ORD, but for a normal domestic connection, mid-day, on a sAAver award I wouldn't worry about it at all.
#1058
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 132
I am thinking of booking BDL-ORD-BZN with a 37 minute connection in O'Hare. It is mainline from BDL-ORD to regional Envoy Air ORD-BZN. Is this reasonable?
It looks like that is the only ORD-BZN flight of the day, and even routing through DFW would not get us to BZN on the same day. Will likely book first class and check bags / skis. This is for March 2020 if it makes a difference in terms of flight schedule changes.
I'm particularly concerned about which terminals and gates each of these flights will use and if they are in close proximity.
It looks like that is the only ORD-BZN flight of the day, and even routing through DFW would not get us to BZN on the same day. Will likely book first class and check bags / skis. This is for March 2020 if it makes a difference in terms of flight schedule changes.
I'm particularly concerned about which terminals and gates each of these flights will use and if they are in close proximity.
#1059
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,482
I am thinking of booking BDL-ORD-BZN with a 37 minute connection in O'Hare. It is mainline from BDL-ORD to regional Envoy Air ORD-BZN. Is this reasonable?
It looks like that is the only ORD-BZN flight of the day, and even routing through DFW would not get us to BZN on the same day. Will likely book first class and check bags / skis. This is for March 2020 if it makes a difference in terms of flight schedule changes.
I'm particularly concerned about which terminals and gates each of these flights will use and if they are in close proximity.
It looks like that is the only ORD-BZN flight of the day, and even routing through DFW would not get us to BZN on the same day. Will likely book first class and check bags / skis. This is for March 2020 if it makes a difference in terms of flight schedule changes.
I'm particularly concerned about which terminals and gates each of these flights will use and if they are in close proximity.
Most mainline flights will arrive/depart from H or K and most Eagle will be from G, these are connected airside. From the furthest gate in K to the furthest gate in G is a 5-10 min walk tops.
As the flight isn't till March 2020 there will almost certainly be several schedule changes between now and then, so you will have ample opportunities to switch to other options as well as things shake out.
#1060
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chicagoland
Programs: AA exp 3mm Hertz 5*
Posts: 334
Let us know if it works for you
#1062
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
plenty of time. You will have time to go to AA FL in terminal 3 if you have status
#1064
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,929
You should have plenty of time but things to watch out for are: the 295 is usually on time whereas the 297 is often late (average 26 min.); if you have a checked bag then you have to collect it for customs, this is usually quite quick but can take 20 minutes; the shuttle busses occasionally get backed up and that can add 40 minutes or so. If there is a big line to exit the baggage hall look for the GE exit which is usually quick, if you don't have a checked bag then take the one-stop exit on the corridor to immigration. So don't bank on the FL but it's good to have the option if all goes well. Good luck!
#1065
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 28
You should have plenty of time but things to watch out for are: the 295 is usually on time whereas the 297 is often late (average 26 min.); if you have a checked bag then you have to collect it for customs, this is usually quite quick but can take 20 minutes; the shuttle busses occasionally get backed up and that can add 40 minutes or so. If there is a big line to exit the baggage hall look for the GE exit which is usually quick, if you don't have a checked bag then take the one-stop exit on the corridor to immigration. So don't bank on the FL but it's good to have the option if all goes well. Good luck!