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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.
#1066
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,929
The one stop is pretty well signed, it's at the side of the corridor and has a few GE machines. You exit down a corridor directly to land side. HBO should help a lot in reducing the uncertainty.
#1067
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: HH Lifetime Diamond, AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 586
Just want to check out if you all think this is the right plan, and get some quick advice.
AA EXP traveling PHL - ORD - HEL in J later this week. I have a ~4 hour connection in ORD. What i am reading from this thread is stay in T3 for AA Flagship lounge, and then just go to T5 to board AY 10.
I am planning on leaving from FL at T-60
Any other recommendations?
Thanks
AA EXP traveling PHL - ORD - HEL in J later this week. I have a ~4 hour connection in ORD. What i am reading from this thread is stay in T3 for AA Flagship lounge, and then just go to T5 to board AY 10.
I am planning on leaving from FL at T-60
Any other recommendations?
Thanks
#1068
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: VA
Programs: AA EXP, DL Gold, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 293
Just want to check out if you all think this is the right plan, and get some quick advice.
AA EXP traveling PHL - ORD - HEL in J later this week. I have a ~4 hour connection in ORD. What i am reading from this thread is stay in T3 for AA Flagship lounge, and then just go to T5 to board AY 10.
I am planning on leaving from FL at T-60
Any other recommendations?
AA EXP traveling PHL - ORD - HEL in J later this week. I have a ~4 hour connection in ORD. What i am reading from this thread is stay in T3 for AA Flagship lounge, and then just go to T5 to board AY 10.
I am planning on leaving from FL at T-60
Any other recommendations?
On thing to note - you'll need to get a Finnair boarding pass from their counter in T5. Several times I've gotten off of the bus in T5 at about T-60, only to hear my name being paged to the Finnair counter for a passport check and boarding pass.
#1069
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: HH Lifetime Diamond, AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 586
I do the ORD-HEL trip a few times a year (and then onto HKG, PEK or PVG) and I stay in T3 Flagship until about T-90. In T5, Finnair will stick you in the Air France catchall club, which isn't anything to write home about.
On thing to note - you'll need to get a Finnair boarding pass from their counter in T5. Several times I've gotten off of the bus in T5 at about T-60, only to hear my name being paged to the Finnair counter for a passport check and boarding pass.
On thing to note - you'll need to get a Finnair boarding pass from their counter in T5. Several times I've gotten off of the bus in T5 at about T-60, only to hear my name being paged to the Finnair counter for a passport check and boarding pass.
I presumed i could get BP's in PHL (or vai OLCI) that's very good to know i will have to head over earlier.
#1070
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: VA
Programs: AA EXP, DL Gold, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 293
The non-schengen lounges are open again in HEL, so you can pop in there and get a shower after you land. You can also store your stuff in the lockers. There's Uber in HEL, so you can leave the airport and grab an Uber into town.
Also - from experience - save your AY boarding passes. About 75% of the time, I don't get my AA EQD/EQM credits from AY flights, and I have to submit the AA form after 30 days. AA requires that you send the AY boarding passes.
#1071
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 13
Hi all,
I am looking at booking either a Tuesday AA flight from SMF to ORD that lands at 1:38 pm that involves a 1 hr 32 min connection. I assume this is in T3.
OR
United flight from SMF to ORD that lands at 1:00 pm that involves a 2 hr 10 min connection. I assume this is in T1.
I have a flight on Alitalia in T5 at 3:10 pm, and I prefer the AA flight, but I am a little concerned (with both flights actually) on making it on time. Are these both viable options? I am one adult, with no checked luggage, and I can run fast
I am looking at booking either a Tuesday AA flight from SMF to ORD that lands at 1:38 pm that involves a 1 hr 32 min connection. I assume this is in T3.
OR
United flight from SMF to ORD that lands at 1:00 pm that involves a 2 hr 10 min connection. I assume this is in T1.
I have a flight on Alitalia in T5 at 3:10 pm, and I prefer the AA flight, but I am a little concerned (with both flights actually) on making it on time. Are these both viable options? I am one adult, with no checked luggage, and I can run fast
Last edited by jjeremiah; May 2, 2019 at 10:20 pm
#1072
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,929
Hi all,
I am looking at booking either a Tuesday AA flight from SMF to ORD that lands at 1:38 pm that involves a 1 hr 32 min connection. I assume this is in T3.
OR
United flight from SMF to ORD that lands at 1:00 pm that involves a 2 hr 10 min connection. I assume this is in T1.
I have a flight on Alitalia in T5 at 3:10 pm, and I prefer the AA flight, but don't am a little concerned (with both flights actually) on making it on time. Are these both viable options? I am one adult, with no checked luggage, and I can run fast
I am looking at booking either a Tuesday AA flight from SMF to ORD that lands at 1:38 pm that involves a 1 hr 32 min connection. I assume this is in T3.
OR
United flight from SMF to ORD that lands at 1:00 pm that involves a 2 hr 10 min connection. I assume this is in T1.
I have a flight on Alitalia in T5 at 3:10 pm, and I prefer the AA flight, but don't am a little concerned (with both flights actually) on making it on time. Are these both viable options? I am one adult, with no checked luggage, and I can run fast
ETA: note that you will need a T5 boarding pass to use the TTB and you will need much longer if you have to go land side and also check in. You will need to get your documents checked at the gate
Last edited by MADPhil; May 2, 2019 at 4:06 pm
#1073
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
Recent reports from coworkers indicate the bus ride can take upwards of 30 minutes door-to-door, so I wouldn't risk the 90 minute connection if you're on separate tickets. If it were all on one booking, I'd feel more comfortable about it.
That said, UA doesn't participate in the airside bus program, so you'll have to walk 10 minutes to T3, which will cut down on some of the margin.
That said, UA doesn't participate in the airside bus program, so you'll have to walk 10 minutes to T3, which will cut down on some of the margin.
#1074
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Recent reports from coworkers indicate the bus ride can take upwards of 30 minutes door-to-door, so I wouldn't risk the 90 minute connection if you're on separate tickets. If it were all on one booking, I'd feel more comfortable about it.
That said, UA doesn't participate in the airside bus program, so you'll have to walk 10 minutes to T3, which will cut down on some of the margin.
That said, UA doesn't participate in the airside bus program, so you'll have to walk 10 minutes to T3, which will cut down on some of the margin.
#1075
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
I suppose I could've worded it better -- there are no pickup locations in T1 because UA won't pick up the tab. You are correct in saying that any T5 pax can use the bus with a boarding pass and passport.
#1076
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: TAY
Programs: AY+ gold, Miles&bonus gold
Posts: 13
Locating the 1-stop in T5?
Hi. I'm flying HEL-[AY]-ORD-[AA]-SNA on May 13th. I know that there is, or used to be the 1-stop CBP facility in T5, which MADPhil mentions a couple of posts above. My problem is, that I've managed to locate it only once, when I flew in from either ARN or CPH with SK, but not during my numerous arrivals with AY. Browsing some other posts in this and in the "Midwest" forum, I've got an impression that perhaps 1-stop is not accessible from all gates of T5, in particular the central ones (M8-M11). Is my hitch correct? Or is it possible, in case of arriving in one of the central gates, to go down a corridor, away from the central CBP area and towards the 1-stop facility?
Thanks,
P.
Thanks,
P.
#1077
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,929
Hi. I'm flying HEL-[AY]-ORD-[AA]-SNA on May 13th. I know that there is, or used to be the 1-stop CBP facility in T5, which MADPhil mentions a couple of posts above. My problem is, that I've managed to locate it only once, when I flew in from either ARN or CPH with SK, but not during my numerous arrivals with AY. Browsing some other posts in this and in the "Midwest" forum, I've got an impression that perhaps 1-stop is not accessible from all gates of T5, in particular the central ones (M8-M11). Is my hitch correct? Or is it possible, in case of arriving in one of the central gates, to go down a corridor, away from the central CBP area and towards the 1-stop facility?
Thanks,
P.
Thanks,
P.
#1078
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 13
Recent reports from coworkers indicate the bus ride can take upwards of 30 minutes door-to-door, so I wouldn't risk the 90 minute connection if you're on separate tickets. If it were all on one booking, I'd feel more comfortable about it.
That said, UA doesn't participate in the airside bus program, so you'll have to walk 10 minutes to T3, which will cut down on some of the margin.
That said, UA doesn't participate in the airside bus program, so you'll have to walk 10 minutes to T3, which will cut down on some of the margin.
#1079
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
Post over on the USA Midwest forum and we'll help you out.
#1080
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: KSUX
Posts: 906
Just a personal anecdote:
Honestly I wouldn't do a I->D at ORD on separate tickets right now but especially if you have a checked bag with less than 2 hours. Even with GE and precheck I got burned coming back from LHR with a 90 minute connection a couple weeks ago waiting for my bag. I missed the last flight of the day home and while AA had no problem putting me standby on the first flight of the day at no additional expense the hotel was on my dime.
Honestly I wouldn't do a I->D at ORD on separate tickets right now but especially if you have a checked bag with less than 2 hours. Even with GE and precheck I got burned coming back from LHR with a 90 minute connection a couple weeks ago waiting for my bag. I missed the last flight of the day home and while AA had no problem putting me standby on the first flight of the day at no additional expense the hotel was on my dime.