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Airlines Operating at Chicago O’Hare Airport

O’Hare is one of the most connected airports in the world, serving as a crucial hub for both major and low-cost airlines. The experience of flying to or from ORD can vary dramatically depending on the airline, its assigned terminal, and the time of year. This guide offers insights based on the real experiences of thousands of travelers so you know what to expect from the top airlines operating here.
Quick Questions about Airlines at O’Hare
- Which are the main airlines? United Airlines (primary hub in Terminal 1) and American Airlines (primary hub in Terminal 3) dominate operations at the airport.
- Where do low-cost carriers operate? Frontier and Southwest operate from Terminal 5, while Spirit uses Terminal 2.
- What is the most common issue with airlines? Delays and cancellations are universal complaints, especially in winter. Additionally, customer service quality is inconsistent—ranging from extremely helpful staff to indifferent employees.
- My arrival and departure are with the same airline—can they still be in different terminals? Yes. It’s common, especially for United and American. Their domestic flights use T1/T3, but most international arrivals land in Terminal 5.
Real Experiences with Airlines at O’Hare

Photo by Miguel Angel Sanz – Unsplash
User Experience: Flying from O’Hare is dominated by its two giants: United and American. Traveler reviews often focus not only on in-flight service but also on how each airline manages its "territory" within the airport. Common complaints—such as chronic taxiway delays, baggage handling issues, and ground staff attitudes—affect all airlines, though some receive more criticism than others.
United Airlines (Terminal 1)
As its main hub, United’s presence at O’Hare is intense. Travelers appreciate Terminal 1's modern facilities but strongly criticize operational issues that seem constant: frequent delays, taxiway wait times, and baggage handling failures. Ground staff reception is mixed—some agents are praised for professionalism in difficult situations, while others are described as rude or unhelpful, especially during flight disruptions.
American Airlines (Terminal 3)
The experience is similar to United’s. The primary pain point is Terminal 3 itself, often described as “dated” with fewer amenities compared to Terminal 1. Reviews note that American staff can be inconsistent—some agents are praised for friendliness, but there are numerous complaints about indifferent or unempathetic treatment, especially at customer service desks during delays and cancellations.
Low-Cost Carriers (Spirit, Frontier)
These airlines operate from often more crowded terminals (T2 and T5), which can add stress to the experience. Passengers report that waiting areas for these carriers are frequently packed, with limited seating and non-working charging stations. While travelers choose these airlines for the price, they should be prepared for fewer ground amenities.
Traveler Tip: Regardless of the airline, download its mobile app. Since last-minute gate changes and delays are common at O’Hare, the app is your best tool for real-time updates and ensuring you don’t miss anything.
Airline Directory
Below is a list of airlines operating at ORD, along with their terminal and contact number.
Aer Lingus
Terminal 3 | Tel: +1 800 474 7424
Aeroméxico
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 237 6639
Air Canada
Terminal 2 | Tel: +1 888 247 2262
Air France
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 237 2747
Air India
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 621 8231
Air New Zealand
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 262 1234
Air Serbia
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 718 725 8642
Alaska Airlines
Terminal 2 | Tel: +1 800 252 7522
All Nippon Airways
Departures T1, Arrivals T5 | Tel: +1 800 235 9262
American Airlines
Departures T3, Arrivals T5 | Tel: +1 800 433 7300
Austrian Airlines
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 843 0002
Avelo Airlines
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 346 616 9500
Avianca
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 284 2622
British Airways
Departures T3, Arrivals T5 | Tel: +1 800 247 9297
Cathay Pacific
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 233 2742
Contour Airlines
Terminal 3 | Tel: +1 888 332 6686
Copa Airlines
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 359 2672
Delta Air Lines / Delta Connection
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 221 1212
Denver Air Connection
Terminal 2 | Tel: +1 866 373 8513
EVA Air
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 847 261 9900
Emirates
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 777 3999
Ethiopian Airlines
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 445 2733
Etihad Airways
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 877 690 0767
Finnair
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 877 757 7143
Frontier Airlines
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 801 401 9000
Iberia
Departures T3, Arrivals T5 | Tel: +1 800 772 4642
Icelandair
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 223 5500
ITA Airways
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 877 793 1717
Japan Airlines
Departures T3, Arrivals T5 | Tel: +1 800 525 3663
JetBlue
Terminal 2 | Tel: +1 800 538 2583
KLM
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 618 0104
Korean Air
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 438 5000
LOT Polish Airlines
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 212 789 0970
Lufthansa
Departures T1, Arrivals T5 | Tel: +1 800 645 3880
Qatar Airways
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 877 777 2827
Royal Jordanian
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 212 949 0050
Scandinavian Airlines
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 221 2350
Southern Airways Express
Terminal 2 | Tel: +1 800 329 0485
Southwest Airlines
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 435 9792
Spirit Airlines
Terminal 2 | Tel: +1 855 728 3555
Sun Country Airlines
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 651 905 2737
Swiss International Air Lines
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 833 626 0737
TAP Air Portugal
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 312 912 5652
Turkish Airlines
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 800 874 8875
United Airlines
Departures T1, Arrivals T5 | Tel: +1 800 864 8331 (domestic)
VivaAerobús
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 866 359 8482
Volaris
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 855 865 2747
WestJet
Terminal 5 | Tel: +1 888 937 8538