I normally avoid O'Hare for travel but will have a connection on an upcoming trip. I will be coming in on a domestic United Flight and will connect to Aer Lingus for a flight to Dublin. I have a 2 1/2 hour layover. The trips are not on the same ticket (not something I normally do but the why is a long story). My question is whether I will have to exit security in domestic terminals and re-enter at Terminal 5 since I don't have a through ticket? I am not planning to check luggage on at least the first flight. Not sure on the Aer Lingus flight since carry on/personal item requirements are different and not sure if my bag will work. I am a frequent traveler but this is one is a bit different for me so any help on this transfer is appreciated.
Posted by
Austin, Texas, USA
574 posts
I am not from Chicago, but based on my experience, this is what I think would happen: If you don't have to check a bag, I would think that what you described above is possible to do without going through security. Coming back from Dublin and needing to clear customs, you would need to exit and reenter but not the way you described. If you have to check a bag, then you would need to exit to check and re-enter security. Another loop hole to consider if the price is not too much different is to gate check your back.
Posted by
Chicago
8178 posts
I use work in T5 and use Aer Lingus.
Not unless what Day Tripper said is a new development, Terminal 5 has never been connected to 1 2 or 3.
You have to take the Airport Transportation System to get to terminal 5 and go through security:
https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/ServicesAmenities/services/Pages/transitupdate.aspx
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2456 posts
Just to clarify, coming back from Dublin you clear immigration in Dublin and arrive in US just as if you were on a domestic flight.
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
4007 posts
Aer Lingus uses Terminal 5 at O'Hare. Which terminal are you arriving into? My guess is Terminal 1. There is a bus that connects Terminals 1, 3 and 5. It leaves from Gate B1 in Terminal 1 every 15 minutes and runs until 9:30 PM and goes to Terminal 5 and that is the only way that I know of to get to Terminal 5 from a landing domestic United Flight without having to go outside of security. You can find more about the bus by searching for "Terminal Transfer Bus" and O'Hare in Google. The last time I was at O'Hare, I had to do the opposite transfer at United on a single ticket (Terminal 5 to Terminal 1) at around 10:00 PM and there is no way I could see to walk to Terminal 5 to Terminal 1 and the ATS was not functioning so passengers had to wait in the cold for buses to transport us between terminals. It was a nightmare (long story).
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11946 posts
https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/tofrom/connecting/pages/default.aspx
If you arrive during the bus operating hours, it does appear possible to get from T-1 to T-5 and not have to go through a security screening.
Addendum-
Note this critical requirement: "Board the Terminal Transfer Bus (boarding pass required) between Terminals 1, 3 and 5 "
Will you have your Aer Lingus boarding pass?
Posted by
OP
19 posts
Thanks everyone. I'm not sure of the arriving terminal yet (the flight isn't until September) but I'm guessing 1 or 2 (flight is from Kansas City). I should be able to have my Aer Lingus boarding pass as I can check in from home the evening before or with the app. With that in mind, it looks like I should be able to transfer using the Terminal Transfer Bus (appears to reopened again) without having to go out an back through security since my flights are during the day. If I decide to check a bag for the transatlantic portion I'm assuming I can gate check it. Even if it costs more to gate check it would be worth not having to exit security to get to the check in desks in Terminal 5.
Does anyone know how picky Aer Lingus really is about the personal item? I'm using a travel backpack (in addition to a small hardside carryon) that stows under the seat (use it frequently on other airlines) but it definitely exceeds what their website calls a small personal item. If my backpack is OK I shouldn't need to worry about checking a bag.
Returning should be easy with the preclearance in Dublin (coming through as a connection from Munich) and an overnight stay at the airport Hilton the evening I return with a flight back to KC in the morning.