ORD Terminal 3

O’Hare Terminal 3 is the biggest domestic terminal at the airport. It serves as the main Midwestern hub for American Airlines. With four distinct concourses, the terminal handles hundreds of domestic departures daily, along with some international departures for oneworld and partner airlines.

The terminal features more departure gates than any other O’Hare Airport terminal. There is a direct connection to Terminal 2 behind security, so that you can walk between the domestic gates without clearing security again.

Flying out from Terminal 3 at ORD? Whether you are looking for parking near the terminal, flying out on a cross-country route, or connecting via a regional flight, our ORD Terminal 3 guide covers all the vital details you want for your journey.

O’Hare Terminal 3 is split into two main floors. The upper level has many TSA security checkpoints, check-in kiosks, airline ticketing desks, and access to Concourses G, H, K, and L. The lower level functions as the arrivals hall with baggage claim areas and exits to ground transportation.

ORD Terminal 3 also has four concourses: G (Gates G1 to G21), H (Gates H1 to H18), K (Gates K1 to K18), and L (Gates L1 to L24). Concourses H and K are separated from the central Rotunda, which creates the unique “Y” shape for the terminal. Terminal 2 connects to the Rotunda near Concourse G through an indoor airside walkway.

O’Hare Terminal 3 opened in January 1962 along with Terminal 2 during O’Hare’s key expansion into the jet age. Though the terminal was originally built to handle multiple domestic carriers, it gradually turned into a base for American Airlines.

The terminal underwent substantial expansion work over the years, including the addition of Concourse L and major modernization projects across Concourses H and K. Currently, gate improvements and concourse renovations are underway at Terminal 3 as part of the O’Hare 21 airport redevelopment program.

American Airlines dominates O’Hare Terminal 3 and manages the most gates across all four concourses. The terminal also serves regional partner airlines and international departures for some of the oneworld alliance carriers, like Japan Airlines and Iberia.

Every non-precleared international arrival lands at Terminal 5 to clear US customs before passengers head to Terminal 3. To know your departure gate, check your airline app within 24 hours of departure. Also, check our live ORD flight status before heading to the airport to save time if there are any delays.

O’Hare Terminal 3’s upper departure level operates many TSA security checkpoints. Checkpoints 7 and 8 handle general passenger screening, with Checkpoint 8 having an exclusive lane for TSA PreCheck. Checkpoint 7A offers an extra screening point for travelers going towards Concourse G.

Typically, the average TSA wait times at ORD Terminal 3 range between 15 and 25 minutes during normal hours. However, the wait times can surge to 35-40 minutes during peak travel hours from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. We recommend you check our live ORD TSA wait times before heading to ORD so you can plan your arrival buffer.

The Main Parking Garage offers the closest long-term and short-term parking option for Terminal 3. Also, Daily Lot and Premier Parking offer convenient parking near the terminal. However, the parking rates aren’t cheap. For the cheapest onsite O’Hare Airport Parking rates, park your car in the Economy Lots F, G, or H. However, the lots are far away from the terminal, connected via the ATS train and a shuttle.

Offsite lots near the airport always offer the cheapest parking rates. Though the lots can be a few miles away, you can easily get to O’Hare Terminal 3 via their shuttle service. You can save up to 60% on your parking rates when you reserve parking via Way.

O’Hare Terminal 3 has multiple premium lounges operated by American Airlines for eligible frequent flyers, premium cabin passengers, and elite status holders. You can find the American Flagship Lounge at the Concourse H/K crossover, featuring private work areas, full bar service, children’s play areas, and shower suites. American Airlines also operates the Admirals Club Lounges in multiple locations in the terminal.

Terminal 3 offers a wide range of food and shopping options across all four concourses. The must-try dining spots include Tortas Frontera by Chef Rick Bayless for gourmet Mexican sandwiches, classic Chicago pizza at Reggio’s Pizza, and Publican Tavern for craft beers and seasonal plates.

Ground transportation at O’Hare Terminal 3 is separated across two levels. You can locate the taxi stands on the lower level, outside Door 3E. For Uber and Lyft, the pickup area is located on the upper-level roadway outside the terminal.

Connecting to another terminal from Terminal 3 depends on whether you’re staying behind security or not. For Terminals 1 or 2, walk via the secure airside corridor close to Concourse G to Terminal 2, then continue to ORD Terminal 1 close to Gate B1, without having to re-clear security.

For ORD Terminal 5, connecting passengers with a same-day boarding pass for a flight departing from Terminal 5 can take the Terminal Transfer Bus directly from the gate area between 11:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., so they don’t have to re-clear security. If you’re outside the checkpoint instead, ride the free ATS train from the Terminal 3 station and clear security at Terminal 5.

If you are flying out from O’Hare Airport Terminal 3, its size is what you need to plan around. Four concourses spread out from a central Rotunda, and the walk from there to the farthest end of Concourse L is very long. If your gate’s out there, or you’re connecting between concourses, add a few additional minutes to your usual arrival window, particularly during the busier afternoon and evening departures.

O’Hare Terminal 3 is undergoing a major overhaul through the ElevateT3 project, as part of the O’Hare 21 redevelopment program. When the project is complete, the terminal will have an expanded passenger corridor between Concourses K and L, advanced boarding areas, enhanced security screening and baggage claim areas, and new concessions. The revamp will result in less congestion, smoother connections for American Airlines passengers, and updated terminal systems.