AA Guide: ORD / Chicago O'Hare International Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.
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#1
Moderator: American AAdvantage, TAP, Mexico, Technical Support and Feedback, and The Suggestion Box
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,953

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 7:38 pm Reason: Update
#2
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 773
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.
#3
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but Plat for a year (yippie)
Posts: 4,383
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.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 773
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.
#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!
#9
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 799
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.
#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.
#11
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA | DEN
Programs: AA EXP/2.9mm | Marriott LT Titanium 1.6k nights | NEXUS
Posts: 980
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 8:22 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 770
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?
#13
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,405
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

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#14
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1
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.
#15
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
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Posts: 9,405
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.