changing flights at Chicago

Does anyone know if you collect your luggage yourself or does it get transferred automatically for the next flight to Orlando

changing flights at Chicago

I would double check with your airlines. When I inquired about this I was told because both flights are with same airlines they would look after our luggage and we do NOT have to go through customs.

I was a bit concerned as our stopover time in Dallas coming home is only one hour but was assured it%26#39;s plenty of time.

changing flights at Chicago

Flying into the USA, you clear immigration at your first port of entry. You have to collect your luggage, clear immigration and customs then pass your luggage back over (usually just the other side of customs).

Flying back home, you will not see your luggage again until you land back in the UK.

This is why you can get away with a shorter connection time on the flight home than on the flight out - we made a 40 minute connection in San Francisco a couple of years agao.

Spot on Dazzler. Immigration and customs have to be cleared at your first port of entry to the USA. You get off the plane in Chicago at Terminal 5. Head through immigration and then to baggage claim. Reclaim your bags and go through customs. After customs you drop your bags again - to the right if you%26#39;re flying with American AIrlines; to the left if you%26#39;re flying with United. But don%26#39;t worry there are lots of agents there directing you to the right bag drop.

Then head up the escalator and take the airport monorail to the terminal for your onward flight. It will be either Terminal 1 or 2 you want. Check the flight info screens before you board the train to make sure you get off at the right stop.

One other tip - the flight info screens aren%26#39;t like UK ones. Theirs list all the destinations in alphabetical order so you%26#39;ll see a list of flights going to MCO (Orlando International). Both American Airlines and United have flights at about the same time but they go from different terminals. Check and double check that you read the right one.

At terminal 1 or 2 you need to clear security again. So remember the carry-on liquid rules will apply again. Be prepared for this. Any duty frees bough in the UK will have to be put in your checked bag before you drop it back at terminal 5. On some flights, the duty frees can be sealed into a plastic bags by the crew. Sealed bags are allowed through security at the airport. But if your flight hasn%26#39;t done the seals then again the booze will have to be in your checked bags.

It%26#39;s all simple on the return trip. Check in at Orlando and you%26#39;ll not see your bags again until your back in the UK.

Hope this helps. Yes I%26#39;ve done that transfer a good number of times. It is really pretty easy if you%26#39;re prepared.

Safe flying, have fun.

CheshireCat: That is great info, many thanks.

We are flying American Airlines to Orlando via Chicago April 2nd. We%26#39;ve got a 2hr 30min time transfer(arrive at ORD 10.20am) How long does all the procedure you decribe usually take?

Mickeys.

2.5 hours should be fine but it all depends on the queue for immigration. I usually fly BMI from Manchester so I%26#39;m not familiar with the AA flight from London. On my usual flight there a 50-50 chance that an Air France plane lands either just ahead of us or just behind us. If we%26#39;re first through then it%26#39;s a breeze but if they get there first we have to wait in line. That said, I always find Chicago%26#39;s immigration staff efficient and even often friendly.

AA to Orlando will probably go from terminal 3 (sorry I said t2 earlier). But do still check the info screens when you land.

Don%26#39;t dawdle on your way to terminal 3 and go through security as soon as you get there. There are plenty of shops, cafes and bars beyond security if you have some time to kill before the Orlando flight.

CC.

Cheers, much appreciated info.