Airlines Operating at Chicago O’Hare Airport

airlines

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

airlines

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

Information on Fly-ORD.com is based on external sources/experiences for traveler assistance; it may change and should be verified. Fly-ORD.com is NOT the official O'Hare website and is not affiliated with the airport authority.