Chicago O'Hare Layover Time

Is this for summer of 2024? If so I would probably just continue to monitor fares to see if the price of the nonstop comes down.

Yes, you would make it if everything is on time. But it would be nice to know whether there are later flights on the LHR or back to MSP on the way home you could catch if you miss your connection. Obviously if the flight into ORD is two hours late, you won't make the connection. An hour late? Maybe, better chance if the departing flight is also late. You're banking on the flights being on time both ways, and of course any flight can be delayed who knows why.

Flying home, it will save you some time if you have Global Entry. If not, at least get the Mobile Passport Control app which could save you time time when you land at ORD coming home.

You might also look at alternate connections ahead of time to be prepared. E.g. maybe you can get home from LHR to MSP via DFW, which is way out of the way of course, but if for some reason your original flight out to ORD is delayed, be prepared to ask, "Can you put me on the one via DFW?" Sometimes it may be on a partner airline like British Airways. Just nice to have done some homework to know what your options are in case of delays.

If it is truly an American Airlines flight, they depart for London from the domestic terminal, so 1 hr 45 min should be plenty.
The return will arrive at the International terminal, so 1 hr 35 min seems tight as you will have to transfer to the domestic terminal. Are there later flights to MSP you can get on if you miss the scheduled one?

Haven't been through there recently, but my beef with ORD, is that if you're flying in on a regional jet, you might be at a distant gate from where you need to be. And the AA regional jets may not have room for a normal carryon so bags can get gate-checked to your final destination. So check the flight details to see what kind of connecting plane you'll be on.

Do you have Global Entry? What is the date of the flight? Day of week can matter also.

In case the OP is still wondering another reader has a similar question, I have these additional thoughts and experiences regarding an 1 hour 35 minute international arrival and transfer. Summary - I wouldn't risk it.

1) The time from the plane to immigration/customs has to be factored in. If in Business Class, deplaining time is minimal. If in Premium Economy or Economy, add 10 - 15 minutes to the deboard process depending on carrier and seat assignment. (I timed my last international Economy flight - it was actually from LHR last fall. I don't remember if American or United. 15 minutes to get off the plane.)

2) The time from the arrival gate area to immigration/customs can be as long as a 15 minute walk or as short as 5. I can never guess which gate my arriving plane will use. Even though I frequently travel same carrier, same route, arrival gate assignments vary.

3) Once at Immigration, Global Entry is very fast these days. Face recognition - I haven't even stopped for longer than a couple seconds for the past year. Regular lines can be horrific. I have not noticed lines for Mobile Passport Control - literally, I have not noticed which doesn't mean they aren't there. As each US airport is different, I would not assume that an experience with MPC in another US port of entry will apply in Chicago. Immigration in regular lines can take over an hour easily during heavy travel times. I come through Terminal 5 International entry at least quarterly - sometimes immigration lines are snaking down the arrival hallway. Other times, it looks like a 10 minute process to me.

4) Transit to domestic terminal If you catch the ATS train, you are outside security and must go through domestic TSA. https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/ServicesAmenities/services/Pages/transitupdate.aspx I believe a secure airside bus system is in place now so you can avoid TSA domestic https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/ServicesAmenities/services/Pages/tbt.aspx I don't need to transfer so have no experience with either. But, add time for that.

5) Door closing for next flight. What time does the next flight actually close for boarding? I've had some domestic flights recently where is was 20 minutes before scheduled departure.

I hope you found a non-stop!!!

Thanks everyone for your two cents! I'm thinking my original hesitation is worth listening to. Just seems a little too close for comfort. I'll keep looking as this is for summer of '24 so I have a little time before I have to book. I want the convenience of the non-stop, but for my family of four, connecting was $2000 cheaper! Hopefully the direct will come down a little as the autumn goes on and I can book November/December with a relatively reasonable price.

Abovw post from info reported.