Chicago Department of Aviation and American Airlines Launch New Program to Streamline International Connections for Passengers at O'Hare

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) on June 19, launched a new transportation service in partnership with American Airlines to eliminate the need for connecting passengers to be re-screened before boarding international flights. Beginning on June 19, CDA will operate a Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) service to transport ticketed passengers connecting from American Airlines domestic arrivals in Terminal 3 to international departures at International Terminal 5 via the secure side of the airport. 

The new program strengthens O'Hare International Airport's position as a leading international gateway by offering 60 percent of passengers connecting from flights at domestic gates a more direct path to international flights departing Terminal 5.

 "The City of Chicago is focused on making O'Hare one the world's top international gateways, offering the highest level of connectivity, most efficient service and the best amenities for travelers," said Ginger S. Evans, Commissioner, CDA. "The Terminal Transfer Bus is one of many new initiatives we have undertaken that will elevate the customer experience for the growing number of passengers who depart on international flights from O'Hare." 

In addition to the direct benefit for connecting passengers, the Terminal Transfer Bus is expected to benefit Chicago international travelers through a daily reduction of passengers at the TSA checkpoint in Terminal 5. The volume of passengers using the T5 security checkpoint could be decreased by as many as 1,000 passengers per day, which will in turn shorten security lines and wait times for passengers during peak periods. 

Prior to implementation of this service, all connecting passengers who arrived at domestic terminals would be required to exit security and then be re-screened at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint in Terminal 5 in order to board an international flight. Passengers who use the new service do not need to be re-screened because they will remain on the secure side of the airport as they travel from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5.

"We're excited to launch this new service with our partners at the City of Chicago," said Franco Tedeschi, American Airlines Vice President - Chicago. "The Terminal Transfer Bus will simplify international connections for many of our customers and goes hand in hand with much of the work we are doing not just at O'Hare, but across our airline, to invest in improving the customer experience."    

In addition to the elimination of double screenings, the TTB will reduce in-airport travel time by about five minutes for passengers connecting from Terminal 3 to international flights. Two buses will run from 10:30 am to 8 pm daily, with buses operating continuously on secure routes from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5. Passengers will be picked up from two locations near Gate G17 and Gate K20 in Terminal 3. The bus will drop passengers off at the M Concourse of Terminal 5. The buses and bus stops are ADA compliant. Initially, the Terminal Transfer Bus will be offered seasonally during spring, summer and early fall, when connecting traffic is at peak levels.

This improvement will further the progress that both Midway and O'Hare International Airports have made over the past year, offering consistent improvements to security wait times, while maintaining the secure conditions that enable safe transport of more than 100 million passengers each year. Passenger wait times at both airports are among the lowest for the largest airports, with passengers waiting, on average, under 10 minutes, even during peak travel times.

With international passenger traffic increasing consistently at O'Hare-already up by more than 7 percent in 2017-and service expanding to serve more than 1,000 departures daily, investments like these are critical in providing faster and more accessible connections for passengers. The TTB will also alleviate an increase in passengers projected from two key new capital projects underway. The expansion of Terminal 5, the first major update to this terminal in over 20 years, will add nine new gates by 2020, increasing gate frontage by 25 percent. Additionally, American Airlines is building five new gates that will open in Terminal 3 next year. 

These and other investments are part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's O'Hare 21 vision, a multi-billion capital investment program designed to strengthen one of the city's biggest economic drivers by: modernizing terminals; creating space for new gates; and expanding international capacity to connect travelers and Chicago to other parts of the world-all while supporting thousands of new jobs and economic opportunities locally.