time needed for connection at ORD

It depends where the departing gate is, if it is in terminal 1,2,3 your okay as long as your plane lands on time. But, if your departing flight gate is in Terminal 5 then you have to leave the main terminals and take a bus to Terminal 5 and go back through TSA security. ( which depending on the time of day can be very backed up) I always hate it when I fly back from Europe and have to go through ORD because it seems like every time we land at T-5 and my flight back home leaves from T-2.

I have read that ORD is building a special tram from T-5 to the other terminals so you don't have to leave the plane side of the airport but I don't know if it is up and running yet.

You can check flightaware.com and it will tell you which gates/terminal your departing plane is using over the last several weeks. Hope this helps.

Gwen, this is not current experience, but I used to fly from KC to ORD monthly. I can tell you that it depends on your airline, the flight landing on time, at which terminal, and how far away you are from the international flight's gate. The problem I had with United and American is that the small regional jets they flew were often delayed for landing, I assumed because the bigger jets had priority. Then the terminals they flew to were at the end of line and a long walk from anywhere, and often a delay waiting for a gate to become available. So when we did connect at ORD to an international flight (twice) I made sure we had a 3-4 hour connection time. I also booked the KC-ORD flight to be the first of the day.

Note also if you're flying one of the small regional jets on American, I was on multiple flights where they were requiring gate-checking of carryon bags (small bins) to your final destination which would have been unpleasant for an international trip.

I remember those Friday afternoons sitting for hours on the tarmac trying to get out of ORD. I avoid that great airport like the plague.

I don't know when you're planning on going, but the least expensive ($700's) for the month of April is American Airlines making a connection in Philadelphia. On the return, many flights connect in DFW or other airports.

I use MatrixITASoftware.org to plot all my flights. Then I purchase thru the airline directly.

Thanks to each of you. I appreciate your advice.