Winter connection: ORD or DFW
Jun 6, 2022, 10:01 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MCI
Programs: AA, DL, WN, HHonors Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott, Hyatt
Posts: 249
Winter connection: ORD or DFW
Looking at a holidays (late DEC) trip to London (LHR) this year. Originating from MCI. The times that work best for us connect through either ORD or DFW. Obviously the DFW-LHR flight is longer, but that is not a concern for us. I am more concerned with potential weather delays, etc.
Any thoughts on connecting through either ORD or DFW in late December?
Thanks.
Any thoughts on connecting through either ORD or DFW in late December?
Thanks.
Jun 6, 2022, 10:11 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: AA EP 4MM, UA 1MM, DL 1MM
Posts: 407
Looking at a holidays (late DEC) trip to London (LHR) this year. Originating from MCI. The times that work best for us connect through either ORD or DFW. Obviously the DFW-LHR flight is longer, but that is not a concern for us. I am more concerned with potential weather delays, etc.
Any thoughts on connecting through either ORD or DFW in late December?
Thanks.
Any thoughts on connecting through either ORD or DFW in late December?
Thanks.
Jun 6, 2022, 10:27 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 591
It's a toss up either way. I usually avoid both like the plague, but if those are your only 2 options (assuming CLT, PHL or MIA are out of the question), then DFW in December it is.
Jun 6, 2022, 10:41 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,276
DFW should be better weather than ORD in December.
If you're in J for the long haul, that's more sleeping time too. I prefer DFW-LHR over ORD-LHR because ORD-LHR ends up being a short sleep by the time dinner service is done.
If you're in J for the long haul, that's more sleeping time too. I prefer DFW-LHR over ORD-LHR because ORD-LHR ends up being a short sleep by the time dinner service is done.
Jun 6, 2022, 6:27 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: CoUniHound 1K 1MM, AA EXP 2MM, DL Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,625
DFW's week of winter is typically in late January or early February. That said, ORD has the capability to operate during a winter storm. DFW, not so much, Overall, though, I'd select MIA LAX DFW
Jun 7, 2022, 12:06 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: OC, CA
Programs: AA EXP, 2MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 832
Contrary to many of the posters here, for weather I would prefer ORD. While Chicago can experience large snowstorms they deal with snow pretty well, and In my experience the weather in Chicago is worse in February than December. On the other hand, Ice in Dallas will shut the place down for quite some time, I recall choosing DFW for a winter connection many years ago and ended up getting rerouted through Chicago (and lost a 77W J seat for a beat up 762). I seem to remember a lot more DFW bad weather threads on FT than ORD bad weather threads (and if someone actually looks them up and proves me wrong I’ll accept that).
Jun 7, 2022, 2:47 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: JAL Global Club & oneworld Sapphire, ANA SFC & Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 3,747
Contrary to many of the posters here, for weather I would prefer ORD. While Chicago can experience large snowstorms they deal with snow pretty well, and In my experience the weather in Chicago is worse in February than December. On the other hand, Ice in Dallas will shut the place down for quite some time, I recall choosing DFW for a winter connection many years ago and ended up getting rerouted through Chicago (and lost a 77W J seat for a beat up 762). I seem to remember a lot more DFW bad weather threads on FT than ORD bad weather threads (and if someone actually looks them up and proves me wrong I’ll accept that).
Here is a good article on this topic:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/trave...ions/24906949/
Jun 7, 2022, 5:56 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: CMH
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat, NK $9 fare club
Posts: 666
I've never been stuck at ORD for the night, but have had plenty of travel plans changed due to delayed 1st segments to ORD (always change to another flight / hub).
Stuck in DFW probably once every 2 years due to weather. Always in Summer, though.
Stuck in DFW probably once every 2 years due to weather. Always in Summer, though.
Jun 7, 2022, 6:27 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: DFW
Programs: AA, DL, UA, BA, KE
Posts: 31
No comparison between the two. DFW all the way. ORD is way too crowded, no good lounge access, frequent delays, and the likelihood of weather going bad in December is much higher. The only benefit of ORD is that you'll have less flyinhg time.
Jun 7, 2022, 6:52 am
#13
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EP, UA Gold-MM, UA 1K (former), GS (former),SPG LT Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,299
I wonder if there are actual statistics on which airport has better performance in certain months or if this is just a perception?
Also OP if upgrades are a concern I would say ORD to LHR tends to be premium heavy where J cabin is almost always full even if Y is empty.
Also OP if upgrades are a concern I would say ORD to LHR tends to be premium heavy where J cabin is almost always full even if Y is empty.
Jun 7, 2022, 8:59 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,039
Either airport, I'd make sure you have a good sized connection. Having said that, I'd take ORD because they can handle snow better.