Airport Guide20 min readUpdated September 13, 2026
O'Hare Airport (ORD) Terminal Guide 2026
O'Hare International Airport uses Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5. United operates from Terminal 1, American mainline flights use Terminal 3, and international carriers use Terminal 5. The free Airport Transit System connects every terminal around the clock, while underground pedestrian tunnels also link Terminals 1, 2 and 3 before security.
O'Hare International Airport has four terminals (1, 2, 3, and 5 — no Terminal 4). United operates from Terminal 1, American from Terminal 3, and all international carriers from Terminal 5. This guide covers every terminal, which airlines are where, lounges, pickup locations, and how to get from ORD to downtown Chicago.
Flying in or out of Chicago? Our Chicago airport transfers and black car service in Chicago pages cover vehicles, all-in pricing and how pickups work.
Which terminal does each airline use at O'Hare?
| Airline | Terminal | Concourse |
|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | Terminal 1 | B, C |
| American Airlines (mainline) | Terminal 3 | G, H, K, L |
| American Eagle / regional | Terminal 2 | E, F |
| Air Canada | Terminal 2 | E |
| Alaska Airlines | Terminal 3 | L |
| Delta Air Lines | Terminal 2 / Terminal 5* | E / Intl |
| Southwest Airlines | Terminal 5* | — |
| Spirit Airlines | Terminal 3 | L |
| Frontier Airlines | Terminal 3 | L |
| Lufthansa | Terminal 5 | M |
| British Airways | Terminal 5 | M |
| Air France | Terminal 5 | M |
| KLM | Terminal 5 | M |
| Emirates | Terminal 5 | M |
| Qatar Airways | Terminal 5 | M |
| Turkish Airlines | Terminal 5 | M |
| Korean Air | Terminal 5 | M |
| Japan Airlines (JAL) | Terminal 5 | M |
| ANA | Terminal 5 | M |
| Cathay Pacific | Terminal 5 | M |
| Aeromexico | Terminal 5 | M |
| Air China | Terminal 5 | M |
*Delta and Southwest operate from Terminal 5 for international flights only. Most Delta domestic flights use Terminal 2.
Terminal 1 — United Airlines Hub
Concourses B and C · United Airlines · Star Alliance
Terminal 1 is United Airlines' hub at O'Hare and one of the most architecturally striking airport terminals in the United States. The neon light tunnel connecting Concourses B and C is an iconic O'Hare feature. United flies more routes from ORD Terminal 1 than any other carrier at the airport.
Airlines in Terminal 1
- • United Airlines (all flights)
- • United Express (regional)
- • Air New Zealand (Star Alliance)
- • ANA (Star Alliance international)
- • Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
- • SWISS International
- • Singapore Airlines
- • TAP Air Portugal
Star Alliance partners depart from Terminal 1 when code-sharing with United.
Lounges in Terminal 1
United Club — Concourse B
Post-security, pre-B gates. Access: United Club membership, Polaris/Global First ticket.
United Club — Concourse C
Post-security, C-concourse gates. Most United domestic departures.
United Polaris Lounge — Concourse C
Premium lounge for international business class. Considered one of the best airport lounges in the US. Full dining, shower suites, day beds.
Terminal 1 pro tip: The neon light tunnel between Concourses B and C is both a visual landmark and a practical connection. If you have a short connection on a United flight, use the tunnel rather than the ATS — it's faster for B→C transfers. The tunnel is before security, so it only works if you don't need to re-clear.
Terminal 1 Pickup Location for Black Car Service
For arrivals, your Detailed Drivers chauffeur will meet you inside Terminal 1 at the baggage claim level, holding a name sign. After collecting your bags, follow your chauffeur to the designated Ground Transportation pickup area on the lower level curb. Pre-arranged O'Hare car service uses the commercial vehicle lane — separate from rideshare queues.
Terminal 2 — American Regional & Other Carriers
Concourses E and F · American Eagle · Air Canada
Terminal 2 is currently the oldest and smallest operating terminal at O'Hare. It handles American Eagle (regional) flights, Air Canada, and some domestic carriers. Terminal 2 is slated for demolition as part of the O'Hare 21 expansion plan — construction timelines have shifted, but expect significant changes to this terminal by 2027–2028.
Terminal 2 renovation alert: Terminal 2 will eventually be replaced by a new Global Terminal as part of the O'Hare 21 modernization project ($8.5 billion). For the most current gate assignments, always check your boarding pass — airlines may shift operations during construction phases.
Airlines in Terminal 2
- • American Eagle (Concourse F)
- • Envoy Air (American regional)
- • Air Canada (Concourse E)
- • Porter Airlines
- • Some Delta domestic flights (Concourse E)
Amenities in Terminal 2
- • No airline club lounges (limited options)
- • Several food/retail options post-security
- • Connected to T1 and T3 via pedestrian tunnel
- • ATS access to Terminal 5
Terminal 3 — American Airlines Hub
Concourses G, H, K, L · American Airlines · oneworld Alliance
Terminal 3 is American Airlines' hub at O'Hare and the busiest terminal at the airport by passenger volume. It houses four concourses (G, H, K, L) and is home to the American Admirals Club, Flagship Lounge, and the Centurion Lounge by American Express.
Airlines in Terminal 3
- • American Airlines (all mainline)
- • Alaska Airlines (Concourse L)
- • Spirit Airlines (Concourse L)
- • Frontier Airlines (Concourse L)
- • British Airways (some int'l T3 departures)
- • Iberia (oneworld, some T3 departures)
Lounges in Terminal 3
Admirals Club — Concourse H
AA Admirals Club access. Open daily.
Admirals Club — Concourse K
Second location for connections.
Flagship Lounge — Concourse H
AA Flagship Business/First. Full dining, premium bar.
The Centurion Lounge (Amex)
Concourse H. Amex Platinum/Centurion card access. Independent from AA.
Terminal 3 connections: The O'Hare 21 project will significantly reshape Terminal 3. American's Flagship Lounge was recently renovated and is among the best airline lounges at ORD. The Centurion Lounge here is one of Amex's most-praised locations — book a time slot reservation if possible, as walk-in access is often restricted during peak hours.
Terminal 3 Pickup Location for Black Car Service
Black car service pickups at Terminal 3 are at the lower-level arrivals curb. Your chauffeur from Detailed Drivers will meet you inside at baggage claim (lower level) with a name sign, then lead you to the vehicle in the Ground Transportation Center.
Terminal 5 — International Terminal
Concourse M · All International Carriers
Terminal 5 is O'Hare's dedicated international terminal. It handles all non-U.S. carriers and some American/United international-configured flights. Terminal 5 has its own customs and immigration area (CBP Federal Inspection Services), baggage claim, and ground transportation curb. Note: You cannot walk between Terminal 5 and Terminals 1–3. You must take the ATS.
Major Airlines in Terminal 5
- • Lufthansa (Frankfurt, Munich)
- • British Airways (London Heathrow)
- • Air France (Paris CDG)
- • KLM (Amsterdam)
- • Emirates (Dubai)
- • Qatar Airways (Doha)
- • Turkish Airlines (Istanbul)
- • Korean Air (Seoul Incheon)
- • Japan Airlines (Tokyo Narita)
- • Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong)
- • Air China (Beijing)
- • Aeromexico (Mexico City)
- • LATAM (São Paulo)
- • Air India (Delhi, Mumbai)
Lounges in Terminal 5
Lufthansa Senator Lounge
Lufthansa Business/First + HON Circle. Access for Star Alliance Gold with Lufthansa ticket.
British Airways Galleries
BA Club/First. oneworld Emerald access.
Air France/KLM Lounge
Business class + Flying Blue Platinum.
No Priority Pass lounge in T5
T5 has no independent Priority Pass lounge as of 2026.
Terminal 5 international arrivals: International arrivals at O'Hare must clear U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) in Terminal 5 before exiting. Wait times can range from 20 minutes to 90+ minutes depending on the number of international flights arriving simultaneously. Detailed Drivers tracks your inbound flight and adjusts meet-and-greet time accordingly — you don't need to update us if you clear customs quickly or slowly.
Terminal 5 Black Car Service Pickup
For international arrivals at Terminal 5, your Detailed Drivers chauffeur will meet you in the arrivals hall after you clear customs. The driver holds a name sign at the exit from the customs/immigration area. Ground transportation for Terminal 5 is at the lower level curb directly outside arrivals — no ATS needed to reach your vehicle.
How do you get from O'Hare to Chicago?
Whichever terminal you land in, pre-booked Chicago car service is the most predictable way to reach the Loop, avoiding CTA transfers and rideshare surge on the Kennedy Expressway during rush hour.
| Option | Cost | Time to Loop | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Car Service (Business Sedan) | $220 all-in | 25–45 min | Business travel, families, reliability |
| Black Car Service (First Class SUV) | $270 all-in | 25–45 min | Groups, large luggage |
| CTA Blue Line | $5 | ~45 min | Budget solo travelers, light luggage |
| Uber/Lyft (UberX) | $40–$65 | 30–50 min | Casual trips, no luggage constraints |
| Uber Black | $70–$95 | 30–50 min | Business, but surge-susceptible |
| Yellow Taxi | $45–$75 + tip | 30–50 min | Metered, reliable (no app needed) |
| Shared van/shuttle | $35–$55/person | 60–90 min | Budget, flexible timing |
How much is black car service from O'Hare to the Loop?
| Destination | Sedan | SUV | Sprinter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Chicago (Loop), 17 miles | $220 all-in | $270 all-in | $670 all-in |
All-in estimates: gratuity, tax and card processing included, rounded to the nearest $10.
Book Black Car Service at O'Hare
Meet-and-greet inside the terminal. Flight tracking. Fixed pricing with no surge.
Available 24/7 — Terminal 1, 2, 3, and 5 pickups
What do travelers ask about O'Hare Airport?
Which terminal is United at O'Hare?
United Airlines operates from Terminal 1 at O'Hare. Concourse B handles most mainline flights; Concourse C handles larger international aircraft and connects to the United Polaris Lounge. The famous neon light tunnel connects Concourses B and C underground.
Which terminal is American Airlines at O'Hare?
American Airlines mainline flights operate from Terminal 3 (Concourses G, H, K, and L). American Eagle regional flights use Terminal 2 (Concourse F). The Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge are in Terminal 3, Concourse H.
Is there a Terminal 4 at O'Hare?
No — O'Hare has Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5. There is no Terminal 4. The gap in numbering is because Terminal 4 was planned in early designs but never built. The O'Hare 21 expansion will eventually add a new Global Terminal, which some plans refer to informally as a Terminal 6, but this is not confirmed.
How do I get from Terminal 5 to Terminal 1 at O'Hare?
Take the Airport Transit System (ATS) free people mover. It connects all terminals and runs 24/7. The journey from Terminal 5 to Terminal 1 takes approximately 10 minutes. You cannot walk between Terminal 5 and Terminals 1–3 — the ATS is required.
How far is O'Hare from downtown Chicago?
O'Hare is approximately 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago (the Loop). By car, the drive takes 25–45 minutes depending on traffic — I-90/94 (the Kennedy Expressway) is the primary route. The CTA Blue Line train covers the distance in about 45 minutes for $5.
Where does black car service pick up at O'Hare?
Black car service pickups at O'Hare are at the lower-level curb outside baggage claim at each terminal. Detailed Drivers chauffeurs meet arriving passengers inside the terminal at the baggage claim level with a name sign — not at the curb. After bags are collected, the chauffeur escorts you to the vehicle.
Does O'Hare have a Priority Pass lounge?
Yes, but with limitations. O'Hare has Priority Pass lounges in Terminals 1 and 3 (third-party lounges), but Terminal 5 (international) has no independent Priority Pass location as of 2026. If arriving internationally and connecting domestically, you would need to take the ATS to Terminal 1 or 3 to access a Priority Pass lounge.
What is the United Polaris Lounge at O'Hare?
The United Polaris Lounge at O'Hare is United's premium international business class lounge, located in Terminal 1 Concourse C. It's accessible to passengers flying in Polaris (international business) or Global First class, and United Club members with valid international business class tickets. The lounge features full dining service, shower suites, and day beds — it's considered one of the best domestic airline lounges in the US.
What is O'Hare 21?
O'Hare 21 is the $8.5 billion expansion and modernization plan for O'Hare International Airport, approved by the City of Chicago. Key projects include: a new Global Terminal replacing Terminal 2, a new satellite concourse for Terminal 1 (L Concourse), additional gates at Terminal 5, and roadway improvements. Work has been in various phases of construction since 2021 and will continue through the late 2020s.
Is Midway or O'Hare better for Chicago travel?
O'Hare (ORD) is Chicago's primary airport with more airlines, more international routes, and more flights per day. Midway (MDW) is smaller and primarily serves Southwest Airlines, Spirit, and some Delta and American flights. Midway is closer to the South Side and closer to downtown than O'Hare. For most travelers, the right airport is wherever your airline flies from — but for international travel, O'Hare is the only option.