AA Guide: ORD / Chicago O'Hare International Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.
Feb 18, 20, 12:25 am - Wikipost
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Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.
Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.
Check-in times as of March 2016 Link
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 https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/Ser...Pages/ATS.aspx The O'Hare Airport Transit System (ATS or “people mover) is closed 24/7 to finalize modernization efforts and expansion of the system. The completion date has been moved out several times, but is expected “early 2020”. Terminals 1-2-3 are connected airside; you can walk through airside passageways. International T-5 is not connected and walking is not recommended. Terminals are connected by frequent landside busses, 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. Link to ORD airport website Links to ORD all terminals map PDF and Terminal 3 PDF map Link to aa.com ORD information page 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. All international arrivals are at Terminal 5, many international departures as well. AB, BA, CX, 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 landslide 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.  ORD Airport Location Map  ORD Airport Map[/center] Operating terminals and gates
Within Terminal 3,
 ORD American Airlines Terminal 3 and International T-5 Map  ORD American Airlines Terminal 3 Gates Map  ALL Airlines International Terminal 5 Arrivals Map Getting from terminal to terminal Landside: one can use the Airport Transit System train, also connecting to airport parking ONCE IT IS RUNNING AGAIN (see above) 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 to T-5 between 11 am and 9 pm. Link Walking between terminals Walking airside between terminals airside is possible (other than Terminal 5). There are no short cuts and it can take significant time. Check-in and ticketing at ORD and check in times Link Flagship Check-in: Yes Five Star Service: Yes Curbside check-in: International only 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) For flights to international destinations check in:At least 45 minutes prior to departure when checking bags At least two hours prior to departure to complete all necessary international requirements Minimum time for checking in and arriving at the gateTo 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 fifteen 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.* For flights within and between the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands:
For flights ... departing the U.S. for an international destination:
Minimum time to check baggage To help us get your bag on the same flight with you, present your bag to an airline representative for check-in no later than the cutoff time. For flights within and between the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands: Check bags at least 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure at ORD For flights departing the U.S. for an international destination:Check bags at least 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure Time to baggage delivery: minimum 20 minutesAA Ticket counters Link American Airlines Daily: 3:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. 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 Delta / Terminal 2 and walk airside to the AA gates (UA is only slightly better than AA). 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 land side 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. Link to AA Flyer Guide wiki ORD Security information. PriorityAAccess lines available at Terminal 3. Minimum and reasonable connection and check-in times at ORD Q. What are minimum check-in time requirements at ORD? AA suggests arriving a minimum of one hour prior to demostic departures if departing domestically (including Hawai'i, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands) if one has no baggage to check; ninety minutes if one must check baggage; and two hours prior to international departures. Additionally, AA requires passengers be checked in at least 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure at ORD and "Arrive at the gate and be ready to board at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure" (sic) and AA intends to close the jet bridge ten minutes prior to departure. Q. 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. Q. 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.  See ORD / Chicago O'Hare Connection & Times - Domestic & International (consolidated)[/quote] ORD dining, services and shopping  ORD Airport Terminal 3 and Services Map Lounges: please see the Lounge Dashboard "sticky" for further lounges information at ORD. Previous posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: ORD / Chicago O'Hare Connection & Times (Domestic & International) NOTE: long term plans for AA to move to the Global Terminal can be read here. 
Admirals Clubs: Dining, Shopping On-Airport hotels: Currency exchange: WiFi / wireless service: Device Power Charging: Smoking: No smoking in terminals Rental cars: [INDENT]Arriving Passengers: Departing Passengers: Animal Relief Areas: Parking Disability Parking: see Cell phone lot () Local transportation Public transport Metro Shared Vans: Taxi: Is there anything to do at (airport)? Do I have time to go to (town)? Contributors to this thread include: handle;
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Jun 1, 07, 4:24 pm
#1
Moderator: American AAdvantage, TAP, Mexico, Technical Support and Feedback, and The Suggestion Box
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
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AA Guide: ORD / Chicago O'Hare International Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.
This is a thread developed as part of the American Airlines (now including US Airways) hub airport guides.
Last edited by JDiver; Oct 18, 15 at 8:38 pm Reason: Update
Feb 3, 14, 3:11 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 712
Hi all,
I am looking at booking an itinerary that involves a 1hr 40min connection @ORD.
Arr: 3:55pm AA131 HEL-ORD
Dep: 5:35pm AA2343 ORD-DFW
Is 1hr 40min enough? How busy will CBP be at that time? Will be my first time doing a INTL connection @ORD.
I am looking at booking an itinerary that involves a 1hr 40min connection @ORD.
Arr: 3:55pm AA131 HEL-ORD
Dep: 5:35pm AA2343 ORD-DFW
Is 1hr 40min enough? How busy will CBP be at that time? Will be my first time doing a INTL connection @ORD.
Feb 3, 14, 3:41 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but Plat for a year (yippie)
Posts: 4,281
Originally Posted by B747forever
Hi all,
I am looking at booking an itinerary that involves a 1hr 40min connection @ORD.
Arr: 3:55pm AA131 HEL-ORD
Dep: 5:35pm AA2343 ORD-DFW
Is 1hr 40min enough? How busy will CBP be at that time? Will be my first time doing a INTL connection @ORD.
I am looking at booking an itinerary that involves a 1hr 40min connection @ORD.
Arr: 3:55pm AA131 HEL-ORD
Dep: 5:35pm AA2343 ORD-DFW
Is 1hr 40min enough? How busy will CBP be at that time? Will be my first time doing a INTL connection @ORD.
I decided that was too close for my own comfort, so changed to another flight 2 hours later.
On the day of the flight, following an on-time arrival, I got through CBP quickly with my Global Entry, but noticed a long line of others in the normal line. I then got on the train and entered the terminal, where TSA security was fast due to my Pre-Check eligibility.
Once in the terminal, I looked at the Departures board and, out of curiosity, checked out my original flight. It was "Boarding". I could have made that flight, had I run through the terminal, but instead I found a nice comfy spot and read my book for a couple of hours.
Without Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check eligibility, there would have been no way to make that flight.
Feb 4, 14, 7:17 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 712
Originally Posted by QueenOfCoach
Last year, I had a connection that was almost identical to yours. I-D, 1:40 connection at about mid-day in ORD. I am a US Citizen and have Global Entry.
I decided that was too close for my own comfort, so changed to another flight 2 hours later.
On the day of the flight, following an on-time arrival, I got through CBP quickly with my Global Entry, but noticed a long line of others in the normal line. I then got on the train and entered the terminal, where TSA security was fast due to my Pre-Check eligibility.
Once in the terminal, I looked at the Departures board and, out of curiosity, checked out my original flight. It was "Boarding". I could have made that flight, had I run through the terminal, but instead I found a nice comfy spot and read my book for a couple of hours.
Without Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check eligibility, there would have been no way to make that flight.
I decided that was too close for my own comfort, so changed to another flight 2 hours later.
On the day of the flight, following an on-time arrival, I got through CBP quickly with my Global Entry, but noticed a long line of others in the normal line. I then got on the train and entered the terminal, where TSA security was fast due to my Pre-Check eligibility.
Once in the terminal, I looked at the Departures board and, out of curiosity, checked out my original flight. It was "Boarding". I could have made that flight, had I run through the terminal, but instead I found a nice comfy spot and read my book for a couple of hours.
Without Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check eligibility, there would have been no way to make that flight.
Feb 27, 14, 10:52 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 5
International Arrival in ORD Question
Hello -
My wife-to-be and I are going to Jamaica for our honeymoon in July. On our return, we are scheduled to fly from Montego Bay (MBJ) to ORD on a Saturday arriving at 6:00pm and having an overnight layover there. Then in the morning, we fly from ORD to MSP.
My question is, once we go through Customs, will we be able to keep our checked luggage overnight or will we have to give our luggage back to AA immediately after the customs process? This will be our first time having an overnight layover.
Thank you!
My wife-to-be and I are going to Jamaica for our honeymoon in July. On our return, we are scheduled to fly from Montego Bay (MBJ) to ORD on a Saturday arriving at 6:00pm and having an overnight layover there. Then in the morning, we fly from ORD to MSP.
My question is, once we go through Customs, will we be able to keep our checked luggage overnight or will we have to give our luggage back to AA immediately after the customs process? This will be our first time having an overnight layover.
Thank you!
Feb 28, 14, 3:41 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 796
Originally Posted by B747forever
Thank you for replying. There is a flight about two hours later (3h layover), might be better to book on that one instead.
If for some reason the later connection gets cancelled, you may be stuck in ORD, especially since you may find out too late to catch the earlier flight.
Mar 2, 14, 8:17 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 7,711
Has anyone tried taking duty free liquids through in their carry-on since the rule change? http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-carry-ons
I'm wondering how much time I'll lose in ORD if I get a bottle of Scotch, I'm eligible for Pre-Check but don't always get it re-entering the country. I'm not too worried about missing the connection, but I do worry about not having time to visit the FL lounge.
I'm wondering how much time I'll lose in ORD if I get a bottle of Scotch, I'm eligible for Pre-Check but don't always get it re-entering the country. I'm not too worried about missing the connection, but I do worry about not having time to visit the FL lounge.
Mar 2, 14, 9:16 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA | DEN
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Posts: 975
Originally Posted by Ambraciot
Has anyone tried taking duty free liquids through in their carry-on since the rule change? http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-carry-ons
I'm wondering how much time I'll lose in ORD if I get a bottle of Scotch, I'm eligible for Pre-Check but don't always get it re-entering the country. I'm not too worried about missing the connection, but I do worry about not having time to visit the FL lounge.
I'm wondering how much time I'll lose in ORD if I get a bottle of Scotch, I'm eligible for Pre-Check but don't always get it re-entering the country. I'm not too worried about missing the connection, but I do worry about not having time to visit the FL lounge.
They didn’t even look at the bottle packaging.
I was sipping a Sapporo in the Flagship Lounge by 1345 or so, and had about an hour there before heading for my 1530 connection (it was late). As an aside, for about the last year I have not had a Pre fail on reentry thru ORD, DFW or JFK - 100%!.
Last edited by AATrout; Mar 2, 14 at 9:22 pm
Mar 5, 14, 3:29 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 729
ORD BA to AA connection / check in
I have a connection in ORD between a BA flight and an AA domestic. My BA flight arrives Terminal 5 at about 2pm and the onward domestic is not until about 10pm.
When I arrive at Terminal 5 I assume I need to collect luggage and go through immigration, but then can I go directly to Terminal 3 and check my luggage in for my domestic flight even though it is around five hours before departure?
When I arrive at Terminal 5 I assume I need to collect luggage and go through immigration, but then can I go directly to Terminal 3 and check my luggage in for my domestic flight even though it is around five hours before departure?
Mar 5, 14, 3:37 am
#13
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
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Originally Posted by DG55
I have a connection in ORD between a BA flight and an AA domestic. My BA flight arrives Terminal 5 at about 2pm and the onward domestic is not until about 10pm.
When I arrive at Terminal 5 I assume I need to collect luggage and go through immigration, but then can I go directly to Terminal 3 and check my luggage in for my domestic flight even though it is around five hours before departure?
When I arrive at Terminal 5 I assume I need to collect luggage and go through immigration, but then can I go directly to Terminal 3 and check my luggage in for my domestic flight even though it is around five hours before departure?
Please note the sticky at the top of the consolidated thread which is titled Welcome to the New American Airlines Forum! PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING. With all of the changes about, it is important to know where to post, and reading that thread before posting (as the title suggests
) will help get you in the right place.~Moderator
Mar 5, 14, 7:51 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1
Originally Posted by DG55
I have a connection in ORD between a BA flight and an AA domestic. My BA flight arrives Terminal 5 at about 2pm and the onward domestic is not until about 10pm.
When I arrive at Terminal 5 I assume I need to collect luggage and go through immigration, but then can I go directly to Terminal 3 and check my luggage in for my domestic flight even though it is around five hours before departure?
When I arrive at Terminal 5 I assume I need to collect luggage and go through immigration, but then can I go directly to Terminal 3 and check my luggage in for my domestic flight even though it is around five hours before departure?
BA told me this morning that bags didn't need to be collected and cleared through customs because the alliance enables them to transfer bags directly. This was never my understanding, so I wouldn't take this as gospel. If any others have more concrete information, I'd be keen to hear it.
Mar 5, 14, 7:54 am
#15
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
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Posts: 9,128
Originally Posted by TheSuitableBoy
BA told me this morning that bags didn't need to be collected and cleared through customs because the alliance enables them to transfer bags directly. This was never my understanding, so I wouldn't take this as gospel. If any others have more concrete information, I'd be keen to hear it.
- Clear passport control
- Collect bags
- Clear customs (provide the landing form or GE printout) and exit the baggage hall
- Re-check baggage as soon as you leave the customs/baggage area
- Take the inter-terminal train to T3
- Enter the terminal like any originating passenger by going through security
What the agent was either intending to say (or should have said) is that BA will tag the bags through to the final destination, so all that will have to be done after clearing customs is to drop the bag on the belt (or hand it to the agent who will do the same) and head to the train.
