PHL or ORD Which would you rather change through?
Oct 30, 2017, 3:00 pm
#46
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: AA Gold, Enterprise PLT, Marriott Gold
Posts: 604
Not really sure why people are dumping on PHL acting like ORD is very nice.
PHL's A-West kills anything ORD has, especially for international flts
PHL's F terminal is nicer than H G or L at ORD to me
ORD's K terminal is a little better than B and C at PHL but not by much.
My biggest hatred of PHL is ATC delays though, seems the worst to me.
I think going via ORD and coming back via PHL is the right move.
PHL's A-West kills anything ORD has, especially for international flts
PHL's F terminal is nicer than H G or L at ORD to me
ORD's K terminal is a little better than B and C at PHL but not by much.
My biggest hatred of PHL is ATC delays though, seems the worst to me.
I think going via ORD and coming back via PHL is the right move.
Oct 30, 2017, 4:45 pm
#47
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 16,871
PHL will have the new Amex centurion lounge, and ORD has the new flagship lounge... which would only be a factor if you have an Amex platinum card or are flying in business class. PHL has the minute suites if you have a long layover. Both airports have a few decent dining options.
Not sure if if it was mentioned but PHL is also getting a new flagship Lounge.
Oct 30, 2017, 5:06 pm
#48
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,034
Frankly, both are decent middle of the road US airports. Nothing fantastic, and nothing truly dreadful (and I've experienced much of both in airports around the world).
+1 to the out via ORD, return via PHL.
Not sure if if it was mentioned but PHL is also getting a new flagship Lounge.
Oct 30, 2017, 7:13 pm
#50
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,034
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28989971-post842.html
Granted it's from a lounge agent, but she mentioned discussions with the club manager specifically referring to the question of closing all versus half the club during renovations, the plumbing for the new showers, and the C&I facility impact. She seemed to know her stuff...
Granted it's from a lounge agent, but she mentioned discussions with the club manager specifically referring to the question of closing all versus half the club during renovations, the plumbing for the new showers, and the C&I facility impact. She seemed to know her stuff...
Oct 30, 2017, 7:27 pm
#51
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,644
Going out: ORD
Returning: PHL
Reason: I simply despise the ordeal of transferring from the ORD intl terminal. Not only that but T3 AA's check in area seems to be always so crowded and chaotic (not that one has to check in but one must go through that area to get to security/gates entrance).
PHL is ok. ORD is not immensely better, IMHO.
Returning: PHL
Reason: I simply despise the ordeal of transferring from the ORD intl terminal. Not only that but T3 AA's check in area seems to be always so crowded and chaotic (not that one has to check in but one must go through that area to get to security/gates entrance).
PHL is ok. ORD is not immensely better, IMHO.
Oct 31, 2017, 8:08 pm
#52
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,837
Again, care to offer any reasons?
There's no objective way that the I-D connection at ORD is better than PHL.
The only thing better with AA's terminal facilities at ORD are the current lounges. The majority of rest of the terminal is old, overcrowded, and nothing more than functional.
UA has the nicer terminal at ORD.
I get that it is a matter of opinion, but I am trying to figure out what possible reason folks have for thinking ORD is a better physical facility.
There's no objective way that the I-D connection at ORD is better than PHL.
The only thing better with AA's terminal facilities at ORD are the current lounges. The majority of rest of the terminal is old, overcrowded, and nothing more than functional.
UA has the nicer terminal at ORD.
I get that it is a matter of opinion, but I am trying to figure out what possible reason folks have for thinking ORD is a better physical facility.
Oct 31, 2017, 8:22 pm
#53
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
If your layover is going to be long, I would use ORD, since you'll have FL access and be able to take a shower and have some better food, etc...unless you have an AMEX Plat, in which you can use the just-opened-today Centurion Lounge at PHL.
If you're looking for a quicker connection and can get it, I'd use PHL, since the Immigration experience at PHL would generally be a lot quicker, since they'll be processing a number of AA flights, but note the volume of OW and *A flights that has to go through ORD T5, coupled with the transfer.
Nov 1, 2017, 6:39 am
#54
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: Bonvoy Amb; AA EXP
Posts: 1,136
Despite my hatred of the ORD train and, perhaps more importantly, the mile-long TSA pre-check line in T3, the better plane and the flagship lounge are the tipping points that keep ORD in the win column.
However, there is that craft beer bar at the end of terminal C in PHL that IMHO is among the best airport craft beer bars in the system. Much better than the crappy choices in the two lounges.
However, there is that craft beer bar at the end of terminal C in PHL that IMHO is among the best airport craft beer bars in the system. Much better than the crappy choices in the two lounges.
Nov 2, 2017, 9:11 am
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,636
We'd be in Bus. Class both ways.
Here's my dilemma:
do we sit around & wait until the 2:50pm flight out of VCE (sitting in the airport for 4.5 hrs. and I've heard VCE doesn't have a bus. class lounge) and go through ORD
OR
spend 4 hrs. 45 mins. in PHL and leave VCE earlier?
Also, I understand the flights between VCE and ORD & PHL aren't "approved" by the government yet. Anyone know when that will happen or IF?
Here's my dilemma:
do we sit around & wait until the 2:50pm flight out of VCE (sitting in the airport for 4.5 hrs. and I've heard VCE doesn't have a bus. class lounge) and go through ORD
OR
spend 4 hrs. 45 mins. in PHL and leave VCE earlier?
Also, I understand the flights between VCE and ORD & PHL aren't "approved" by the government yet. Anyone know when that will happen or IF?
On the other hand, if your flight out of ORD westbound is the last flight of the day, there is a slight risk of cancellation and being stranded.
Nov 2, 2017, 9:14 am
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,636
Despite my hatred of the ORD train and, perhaps more importantly, the mile-long TSA pre-check line in T3, the better plane and the flagship lounge are the tipping points that keep ORD in the win column.
However, there is that craft beer bar at the end of terminal C in PHL that IMHO is among the best airport craft beer bars in the system. Much better than the crappy choices in the two lounges.
However, there is that craft beer bar at the end of terminal C in PHL that IMHO is among the best airport craft beer bars in the system. Much better than the crappy choices in the two lounges.
Nov 2, 2017, 9:24 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,569
I actually think ORD is worse in the summer than in winter. Common snow is not an issue unless it's a true blizzard or freak -20 degree day where the fuel lines freeze. That doesn't happen often. In summer a single thunderstorm over the field can cancel half the flights.
Nov 2, 2017, 9:58 am
#59
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA Concierge Key, Marriott Titanium Elite, National Executive Elite
Posts: 326
I have never done an international transfer at PHL. My opinion is solely based on the fact that I avoid LUS metal like the plague! So my choice would be ORD both ways. I can deal with a bad transfer experience between T5-T3. However, especially since you are flying in J, I would prefer the 787 over the 330, the flagship lounge at ORD over any lounge in PHL, and most definitely a LAA 321 or 738, vs an LUS 321 to LAX! While you are spending 4.5 hrs at an airport, you are also spending 4 to 5 hours on a domestic flight and that is more of a concern for me than which airport I will lounge out at.
Now if JFK was an option... then no brainer!
Now if JFK was an option... then no brainer!
