AA to BA Airside Transfer - Chicago
Sep 10, 2011, 2:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London, England
Programs: OW Emerald (BA), UA*G, Marriott Plat, IC RA, Various others
Posts: 1,009
AA to BA Airside Transfer - Chicago
A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit having flown AA to Chicago and connected onto BA from Chicago to London. He commented that he used an airside bus from his AA flight over to his BA flight at O'Hare T5, and that this was a new service at ORD from 1st September. I thought it might be of interest to anyone on this board who uses ORD for transfers.
He picked up the bus at gate K20, and was moved airside to T5, being dropped off at a door that was just a hop, skip and a jump from the BA lounges (and right by the BA Gate). It meant he didn't have to go through the scrum of being re-screened at Terminal 5 security, and he was in the BA lounge within minutes of alighting from his AA flight. He said the bus also stopped at American Eagle gates, as well. It certainly means an added benefit for those transferring through ORD.
He picked up the bus at gate K20, and was moved airside to T5, being dropped off at a door that was just a hop, skip and a jump from the BA lounges (and right by the BA Gate). It meant he didn't have to go through the scrum of being re-screened at Terminal 5 security, and he was in the BA lounge within minutes of alighting from his AA flight. He said the bus also stopped at American Eagle gates, as well. It certainly means an added benefit for those transferring through ORD.
Sep 10, 2011, 3:31 am
#3
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,772
This is a great news. Cathay have also started a HKG service from ORD T5 on 1 September, though I guess this bus transfer would only work from domestic to international rather than vice versa or international to international?
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Sep 10, 2011 at 4:21 am Reason: clarification
Sep 10, 2011, 6:41 am
#5
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
Nice initiative. I can see this being very useful on future connections as well as adding new scenery to the process.
Where I can I find information on the hours of operation and frequency? BA opens up shop at 14:00 so I cannot see any great need for an expeditious transfer between T3 and T5 during the morning period.
I am trying to remember how long it has taken me to do the T3 to T5 landside transfer in the past - probably about 30 minutes (assuming 10 mins to clear priority security)
Where I can I find information on the hours of operation and frequency? BA opens up shop at 14:00 so I cannot see any great need for an expeditious transfer between T3 and T5 during the morning period.
I am trying to remember how long it has taken me to do the T3 to T5 landside transfer in the past - probably about 30 minutes (assuming 10 mins to clear priority security)
Sep 10, 2011, 8:43 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 104
Yes, that's right, since in the US all passengers arriving on an international flight must go through immigration and customs and then re-clear security if connecting to another flight.
Sep 10, 2011, 8:52 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
Sep 10, 2011, 9:03 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,245
This is very good news - the re-screening was a PITA when I did it earlier in the year and took more like 30 minutes, not 10.
The problem seemed to be the late BA flight left at the same time as several flights to the middle east and the TSA staff seemed way less 'professional' than they had been when I went through ORD T2 security a few days earlier...
The problem seemed to be the late BA flight left at the same time as several flights to the middle east and the TSA staff seemed way less 'professional' than they had been when I went through ORD T2 security a few days earlier...
Sep 10, 2011, 12:19 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Programs: BA Gold, FB Petroleum Club, HH Gold, A-Club Platinum
Posts: 1,760
oneworld transfer centres to smooth more connections
Probably that's the reason.
The first oneworld transfer support centre opened last June at Chicago O'Hare, with similar facilities launched in September at London Heathrow, Miami and New York JFK and in October at Madrid.
Sep 11, 2011, 2:20 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LUX
Programs: BA Gold GGL, Hilton Diamond, FB Grey, Amex MR, Trop Plus Gold
Posts: 851
Probably that's the reason.
So if we take a hit on arrival time, escort and fast tracking through immigration would be very useful. I'm in F, so should be first off, and no bags, but I always hate that "will I make the last flight of the day" feeling.
Jan 19, 2015, 4:45 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,811
Jan 19, 2015, 4:58 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: South Lakes U.K. & Thassos Greece
Programs: BA Gold Hilton Diamond IHG Spire ANEK Ferries Gold
Posts: 203
Used this service last week from T3 gate G17 very painless. The CC on our American Eagle flight gave it out over the PA system with all the connecting gate info. You will only get on the BA bus though QR bus arrived only 2pax but no way are you allowed on. The good thing is no more security to go through.