Minimum connection time in Chicago (ORD)?

[tdimdad]

What would you recommend as the minimum connection time in Chicago (ORD) when arriving from Europe (AY from HEL, arrive terminal 5) and connecting on a domestic (AA to SFO, depart terminal 2)? My TA is suggesting a 2h 10 min connection but is there any chance of actually making it through the immigration + customs + bag drop in that time?
At that time I'll be OWS if that's of any help in speeding through but my partner has no FF status.

 

[serfty]

What would you recommend as the minimum connection time in Chicago (ORD)

While it meets MCT (which is at worst 110 minutes, see below) it does not meet my MST which would be of 180+ minutes. However, they may not be that many flights to SFO from ORD. Is there a later option? Other than that, if on the one booking you would be protect in the case of a misconnect, but may find yourself flying via DFW, PHX or LAX.

Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com

Minimum Connect Times:
Connecting at ORD, Incoming airline AY, Outgoing airline AA, Flight type International to Domestic

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE    .50  1.15  1.30  1.30
OFFLINE   .50  1.15  1.30  1.30
** OR * ARE ALL
AY-AA ID  1.50 FLT 5401 - 6000 - ALL
AY-AA ID  1.50
**-AA ID SUP   ALL  - FLT 6100 - 9099
**-AA ID  1.25 EQP W   - ALL TRM ** - 3
**-AA ID  1.20 TRM ** - 3

 

[TomVexille]

I agree that it's too tight for my own liking. It's certainly possible if you get a good run through immigration and customs but I'd prefer to take the stress out of it. Especially as you need to hop on the people mover to T3 and head through security there.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

What would you recommend as the minimum connection time in Chicago (ORD) when arriving from Europe (AY from HEL, arrive terminal 5) and connecting on a domestic (AA to SFO, depart terminal 2)? My TA is suggesting a 2h 10 min connection but is there any chance of actually making it through the immigration + customs + bag drop in that time?
At that time I'll be OWS if that's of any help in speeding through but my partner has no FF status.

Hmmm. If this were separate tickets I'd say 'no way' - allow at least 4 hours for ORD.

All on the one ticket - not so much of an issue as you'll be protected (provided of course there are seats available).

It is possible if the stars align (flight on time or early, first off, first to immigration, baggage not too long) to exit within the hour. Then you have to get to the right terminal and complete TSA security outbound. It would be tight but doable.

 

[dajop]

Winter or summer? If winter, always best to allow extra time than MCT, just in case.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Winter or summer? If winter, always best to allow extra time than MCT, just in case.

And in summer - T-storms!

 

[serfty]

Especially as you need to hop on the people mover to T3 and head through security there.

ISTR the people mover will be undergoing renovation this year for quite some time.

 

[tdimdad]

Thanks for all the good advice! The decision was to have a 5-hour connection in ORD. It leads to an unpleasantly late arrival in SFO but rather that than unnecessary stress about missing the flight because of allowing too little time. This all assuming the TA does not pull a rabbit out of a hat and get us a HEL-SFO direct.

 

[serfty]

The decision was to have a 5-hour connection in ORD.

At least being OWS, you'll get access (+ guest - i.e. partner) to the rather nice AA Flagship Lounge at ORD to await your flight to SFO.

 

[tdimdad]

Our TA pulled a rabbit out of the hat and managed to book a direct to SFO (we may have gotten the last affordable Y seats courtesy of the BA quota). The arrival in the afternoon instead of midnight does sound more pleasing, even if we miss the Flagship in ORD (thanks for the hint, Sertfy!). But on the way out we get to sample a lounge in SFO.