Elvasoshexai

Thanks. the email I received with my itinerary mentioned T2 (it's a UA / AC code share flight). But when I checked google, last few days this flight departed from T1. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try and first drop off bags with UA in T5 if it's not a long line

I looked into this after and saw an old post that shows JAL had interline agreement with UA for checking through luggage: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/25588645-post8.html
But based on posts in that thread, seems YMMV if they would do it for separate tickets based on agent

zoechow

Hi. Flying AA in a few days, ORD->LAX. (I think that is terminal 3). I have tsa pre, and would like to go through TSA with it. I like the get to airport early, and it looks like there might be a priority pass lounge in Terminal 5.

I guess the overarching q. is, what should I do, e.g. go through security at 5, use lounge, take X route to 3 knowing it'll take Y minutes.

But more, specifically, do all the terminals have tsa pre lines? Does it matter where I go through?

Can someone explain the airside terminal connections between 3 and 5? Is there a bus and a train? Anything to choose between them.

tia, zc!

legalalien

All terminals have TSA Pre lanes, although hours of operation do vary. There is CLEAR in all terminals except T3.

You can take a terminal transfer bus from T5 to T3 or vice versa between 11:30am and 9:30pm: https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/Ser...Pages/tbt.aspx. The ATS train runs outside security, but with TSA Pre the time penalty is usually not large, as the trains run significantly more frequently.

FWIW, the Swissport lounge in T5 is absolutely not worth the extra effort of getting between terminals. It is a small, windowless space with sparse furnishings and very limited food and drink options.

irenem

I am arriving in ORD from HKG on Cathay Pacific. I am planning to book a separate domestic ticket on southwest. Are 3.5 hours enough for all this (I will have to clear immigration on a Visa)? I will have to collect my luggage and then check it in again. Or should I pick a later domestic flight (there is another 6 hours after the international arrival)?

LupineChemist

Considering that you'll be entering with a visa and have to go through the visitor line, really all about how long that line takes. Personally, I'd go with a later one since a couple hour long line isn't out of the question.

JimInOhio

The U.S. CBP publishes immigration wait times for ports of entry and the most recent data is for Tuesday April 16. Between 2 PM and 3 PM at ORD T5 (the hour the flight from Hong Kong arrives), it's showing for non-US citizens:

Average wait time -- 16 minutes
Longest wait time -- 39 minutes

If your processing time is remotely close to this, a 3.5 hour gap between flights is plenty of time. Southwest is in the same terminal, too.

You can check wait times here:
https://awt.cbp.gov

irenem

Thanks!
The travel is later in the summer. I looked at the data from last year for the same time period at the link you posted.
The average wait time was 70 minutes, the max wait time was 2h20minutes.

I booked a southwest flight 3.5h after arrival -- how likely is it that I will catch it?
My fare on southwest is get away + which allows me same day changes without any fees, in case the immigration time is too long.

After immigration, how long should I have in order for a good chance of catching my domestic flight (I have to collect luggage, and recheck it, but it seems southwest flys from the same terminal)?

If my connection is fairly dicey, I will cancel my flight today and rebook for the later one that departs 6.5h after my arrival, on basic get away and save $15.

JimInOhio

The immigration facility was undergowing a massive reconstruction which is now complete so data from last year probably isn't very representative of what's going on today. After you exit customs at T5, take the escalator or elevator up to the departure level and just look for the Southwest counters. If it were me, I wouldn't hesitate to schedule a 3.5 hour layover, especialy considering Southwest is about the most flexible airline when it comes to last-moment changes.

ords

I would also relook at Southwest's schedules for when you're traveling. Due to aircraft shortages (about 40 planes) Southwest is reducing activity nationwide. ORD will get hit with a 40% reduction starting June 4th.

irenem

Thanks. Typically, how long does it take to clear security once checked in?

vandykes44

My husband and I are traveling from Chicago to Munich on Turkish Airlines early September. Currently we have a connecting flight from GRR to ORD on AA that arrives in Chicago at 12:45. Our flight on Turkish Airlines isn't until 8:30 (had been scheduled earlier), so we currently have 8 hrs. between flights. There are 2 other nonstop flights from GRR that arrive at ORD at 4:15 and 5:47. I'd love to exchange our tickets for the 4:15 flight, but it would cost an additional $100/person. That doesn't seem worth it to me. We could exchange tickets for the flight that arrives at 5:47 with no additional out of pocket cost that would give us 2.5 hrs. between flights and enough time to transfer to the International Terminal. But I think I'd be nervous about any kind of hiccup or delay with the 5:47 flight. We are flying business class on Turkish airlines, so we will have lounge access in the Swiss lounge. But it's still a very long time between flights and a long time to hang out at a lounge. I had a friend who used to say, "nothing like growing old in an airport."

If it were you, would you make any change to our GRR-ORD flight? Or any ideas as to what to do for 8 hrs. at ORD?

trooper

If those are separate tickets (not sure from your description..AA to TK? Sounds odd.) I'd be reluctant to reduce the time in between to 2.5 hours. If separate bookings its NOT a connection and you have no protection if the flight to ORD is delayed badly.... Having said THAT..... if you have to check in for the TK flight at ORD you might find you cannot do that until 3 or 4 hours before....NOT on arrival. TK check in may well not be open! Rock and a hard place.

S80

Are you checking bags? If so 2.5 hours is not really doable, but without it's still cutting it close (either way, I would not do). I'm not sure of the logistics of dropping bags somewhere (if there even is anywhere), but 8 hours is enough time to take the Blue line downtown for a meal. I also recommend one of the river architecture tours.

I don't believe there is a Swiss lounge at ORD, but there is a Swissport lounge, which is widely regarded as one of the worst lounges in the world, and you're much better off just sitting in the terminal instead.

lrdpenn

I would not take the 5:47p especially on separate tickets.
I echo the above suggestion to try to go into town.
If you don't have bags you need to retrieve from AA baggage claim and want to stay at ORD, you should be able to access the UA polaris lounge with your departing TK J boarding pass. That will be far better than anything in T5. You can walk airside from AA to the Polaris Lounge then take an airside transfer bus to T5 shortly before your departing flight.

view-with-a-room

Rhetorical, but the question has little if anything to do with American Airlines and question is posted in the American Airlines forum.

Stick with the 8 hours as Turkish isn't going to be very accommodating if you miss the flight. AA is One World and Turkish is Star Alliance, the itinerary isn't one PNR. Arriving at Chicago the day prior wouldn't be a bad option as the departure airport doesn't have a lot of flights. Nothing to do around O'hare so stick with the airport lounges. The United Polaris lounge is very nice and very welcoming. As you are traveling on Turkish in business class you have access to the United lounges, including the Polaris lounge.