molecrochip

Hi, we're flying MCO-ORD on AA (T3) and then connecting onto BA (T5) back to LHR.

Does anyone have an experience on the best way to do this connection - I thinking the transfer shuttle bus but have no idea if we will need to collect/recheck luggage.

We're ticked by BA, one ticket, on BA flight numbers all the way through - just a little nervous as BA suggested the connection but its only 1hr 48mins. Flying Business/Club with wheelchair.

Thanks in advance.

guv1976

On a domestic-to-international AA/BA connection on a single ticket, your baggage will be checked through to your final destination; you will not have to -- or even be able to -- retrieve it at your connection point.

I'll leave it to another FTer to weigh in on the best way to get from one terminal to the other.

Furby

As stated above luggage will be checked though, no need to collect. Use the tram, it’s back in service. A fairly quick transfer about 5 minutes and trams every few minutes. Terminal 5 at ORD is awful, the BA lounge in particular is dreadful, so don’t be in too much of a hurry! If you have a lot of time use the AA lounge in Terminal 3 for as long as you can. Security at Terminal 5 can be busy and very slow.

Just noticed you have 1hr 48 minutes. You should be fine with that connection but go straight to Terminal 5 after you land from MCO. The bars outside of the BA lounge are more enjoyable than the lounge.

jerry a. laska

Information for the ORD airside transfer bus is here:
https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/tof...s/default.aspx
Your AA flight will arrive at T3. The airside transit bus allows you to go from T3 to T5 without leaving the secured airside area of the airport. While T3 has 2 stops for the bus (Gates G17 and K20) only the G17 stop is wheelchair accessible. As your flights are on one ticket, your bags should be checked through to LHR.

There is no need to use the ATS or tram unless you have some need or desire to go landside and then back through security again after you take the ATS to T5.

Chiller3333

I just did EWR-ORD-LHR last week, AA to BA, so same as you.
The shuttle bus is running and I took it to get from T3 to T5 for BA296.
Your bags will (or at least should) be tagged all the way through, so you don't need to worry about them.
Having done this transfer a couple of times without the bus, the tram works as well, but being able to remain airside is so much simpler.
The bus is the only way to avoid having to go through security again.

MaxFlyer

I think I read somewhere on FT that BA are moving to T3 at ORD.I don’t know when though.

Simonp27

I read the same in multiple places. No idea on timescale. Will make ORD a much better place for BA-AA connections when it happens. Plus the smart AA T3 Flagship lounge.

Confus

If you book assistance because you’re flying with a wheelchair, you’ll be escorted between flights. This will be on the airside bus as described above, if not a private transfer. There’s very little chance you’ll miss that connection and you should try not to worry.

BearX220

That would be a blessing as T5 is third-world woeful at present, but it will not happen until several improvements are complete, including the demolition of T2 and its replacement with a glam new "global terminal," the addition of new satellite concourses to accommodate large aircraft (a la T5B and T5C @ LHR), and the installation of C&I processing facilities. This is all expected to take until 2030.

For airport design enthusiasts: https://studiogang.com/project/ohare-global-terminal

When this is done ORD T3 will be the OneWorld connection hub, T1 the Star Alliance one, transits among T1-2-3 will be fast and one-roof walkable, and T5 will be relegated to the LCCs and other US domestics with little / no connecting traffic at O'Hare, as it's well removed from the rest of the complex -- sort of like LHR T4.

ORDflyer92

Supposedly DL will be setting up extensive operations at the new T5 and cut back at MDW. However, BA moving to T3 will be a very welcome change although I'll miss the BA lounge as the AA Flagship lounge gets too crowded.

BearX220

That's already happened, with a spacious new SkyClub that makes its BA, etc. rivals look terribly sad.