Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport (ORD) Flights & Information

Chicago O’Hare is one of the busiest airports in the United States and the hub for two major airlines, American and United. Its ORD airport code refers to Orchard Field, which is where the airport was originally built. To meet the growing demand, the airport is under a major redevelopment program to redesign the terminals and make them more user-friendly. Prepare for a lot of walking between the nearly 200 gates. The terminals are not all connected so you will need to know which terminal from which your airline operates. Here’s how to navigate bustling and busy ORD.

What you will find in each terminal

Chicago O’Hare has a sprawling layout, and its terminals require long walks between them.

Famously, O’Hare removed the moving walkways in the terminal to promote more business for retail venues. People are more likely to stop and shop (or dine) when they are walking by rather than on a moving walkway.

Perhaps the most annoying feature of ORD is that all international flights arrive into Terminal 5. This requires taking a train to other terminals for most connecting flights.

Walks can be lengthy at O’Hare. Outside of security, a free shuttle train operates between each of the terminals.

When the expansion plans are complete, the terminals will be grouped around each of the three major alliances. For now, here is what you will find in each of the four terminals.

Terminal 1

This is the center of most Star Alliance flights at the airport and home to the largest airline at the airport, United. The terminal is divided into two concourses (B and C). All United flights depart from this terminal as well as those of Lufthansa and All Nippon Airways.

The only lounges in Terminal 1 belong to United with a trio of United Clubs as well as its Polaris Lounge, my favorite in this terminal. The latter is reserved for international, premium cabin and top elite status travelers.

Kids will love taking pictures with the brachiosaurus dinosaur skeleton on display. On loan from Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History, this is one of the largest mounted dinosaurs in the world. It is located just after the main security checkpoint in Concourse B.

Buy a snack for the flight at Garrett Popcorn, a Chicago favorite, near gate B8. This is on my to-do list any time I pass through ORD. Another quintessential feature is the Disney-esque tunnel that connects Concourses B and C. In fact, a similar light tunnel existed at Epcot Center when this one opened.

A rainbow of light panels and ceiling lights dance as you walk along the moving walkways. They used to play United’s theme song, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, but sadly that has been discontinued. The original design included the ability to change the light pattern and music.

If you are taking a United Express flight departing from Terminal 2, you can walk, but it is a very long trek. There used to be a free shuttle, but that has been discontinued. If you need to go to Terminal 5, however, there still is one that leaves from gate B1 to facilitate connections between United and other Star Alliance partners.

Terminal 2

This is where most United Express flights leave from and also where gates for Alaska, Air Canada and JetBlue are located. The only lounge is the United Club, but it is one of the newest at the airport and has beautiful views of the airport action.

There are plans to tear down Terminal 2 in the coming years and build a new “global terminal” that will have its own immigration and customs facilities. By 2030, all of the airport’s reorganization plans should be complete. It will make it easier to connect between flights.

For now, Terminal 2’s Wicker Park Sushi is one of my favorite restaurants with the made-to-order sushi bar facing the bustling airport apron through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Terminal 3

This is American’s terminal and home to a handful of oneworld alliance partners. There are four concourses that make up this terminal, and walks from the end of the G gates to the last of the L gates (known internally as the L “stinger”) can be lengthy. There are no moving walkways.

The famous atrium hallway in part of the terminal has a display of flags that represent each of the countries that American Airlines flies from O’Hare.

Three Admirals Clubs are spread between the different concourses. My favorite spot is the Flagship Lounge, reserved for premium cabin and top elite status flyers on international flights. The views of the airport and runways are amazing.

Airlines that leave from here include Aer Lingus, Iberia and Japan Airlines among others. The food court has a wide variety of food choices all in one place. This is a great spot for families where everyone may have a different dining preference.

Perhaps the most popular venue is Tortas Frontera outside of the food court. Its tacos and salads are delicious; I love the cubana torta with smoked pork and avocado. This is one of three locations of Chef Rick Bayless’ famous menus in the airport.

There is a yoga room in this terminal if you want to do a little stretching or meditation between flights (or just need to work off all those calories from Tortas Frontera).

Terminal 5

While you can walk from one end of Terminal 1 all the way to Terminal 3, you cannot reach Terminal 5 on foot without taking a free bus or train. There is no Terminal 4. Most international flights depart from Terminal 5, and this is also where Delta, Frontier and Southwest flights depart.

A recent expansion has modernized the terminal, but there is still a lot of work to do. The walks for arriving international passengers to reach immigration are excruciatingly long after a lengthy flight. There are no moving walkways.

Immigration lines can be extensive, too, and the airport does not always open its Mobile Passport lanes for expedited service. Global Entry lanes are always open though.

The international lounges for departing passengers are quite disappointing for such a major airport. Some are windowless, and others often turn away eligible passengers due to space constraints.

The Delta Sky Club, however, is an impressive facility that recently opened in Terminal 5. It has two buffet and bar areas, ample seating with great airport views and showers. There are no credit card-affiliated lounges at ORD.

Airport hotels

There are dozens of hotels around the airport with free shuttle service to the airport. They pick up from a central transportation center instead of visiting each of the terminals individually, which means you may need to take heavy bags on the train and up several escalators or elevators.

The most convenient hotel to the airport is the Hilton, which is directly connected to the terminal. It is a short walk from there to the airline gates. Its athletic club is available for non-guests to buy a day pass and use before, after or between flights.

How to get to O’Hare

Chicago traffic, especially around O’Hare, can mean that taking a taxi, rideshare service or limousine can take longer than expected. Many people opt to take the “L” train, public transportation that takes travelers from the center of the city to the airport.

All of the major car rental agencies have an office at the airport, but these are located at the multi-modal facility where travelers register for the vehicle. Then, they have to take a shuttle to an offsite location to pick up the car. It means taking heavy bags off and on escalators, elevators and shuttles.

Family-friendly activities

Stop by one of the airport’s many information booths for a free activity and coloring book. Also, ask about the different artwork and statues (including the big dinosaur in Terminal 1) in the airport to create your own art scavenger hunt. Unfortunately, there is no prize for collecting them all.

Terminal 2 has a kids play area with slides. There is seating for parents while they watch their kids play; nearby power outlets are a nice touch.

Fun facts about ORD

The airport has more runways than most international airports of its size with eight in total. It takes its name from Edward Butch O’Hare, a Navy Medal of Honor recipient during World War II.

This airport was one of the first major airports built after World War II and pioneered many design firsts like jet bridges and underground refueling systems, now used by most airports today.

Many movies have been filmed at O’Hare. Among them are the famous scenes in Home Alone at the American Airlines departure gates in Terminal 3, Risky Business and Sleepless in Seattle.

It is not just planes that buzz overhead at ORD. This is the first major airport to have its own apiary, and there are a million bees that live in as many as 75 hives on the airport property. Their honey is made into beauty products and candles.