Originally Posted by k1052 (Post 9665265)

I shudder to think what the customs hall is looking like these days.

Originally Posted by twister244 (Post 9665274)

I think it ultimately always just comes down to flight schedules. If you have a few 787-9s or A350s land at the same time, well then customs is going to be a long long line. However, if you land and you are the only international flight for an hour or two, then I suspect it won't be too bad.

When I flew back from Spain the day before Thanksgiving last year, I encountered very little in the way of customs, but there were also no other major flights landing at that time. Same goes for when you are going through security for a flight. If you have enough flights clustered close together, then the limited security points they currently have make security a nightmare. My flight in May out of Southwest was like this, and I had to wait nearly an hour in security.

Originally Posted by Chicagoguy (Post 9665645)

I just flew in from Milan on Tuesday and customs wasn’t bad at all with Global Entry. Those who didn’t have it probably had to wait a little while.

Originally Posted by gsmith318 (Post 9667180)

Was the international baggage arrival area all torn up? When I flew back from London this past February the international baggage arrival area was all torn up due to the construction. It was pretty bleak and an exceptionally poor "welcome" to Chicago. Understand they are actively improving it but hope that completion is sooner than later.

Originally Posted by jonesrmj (Post 9643170)

Once the Terminal 5 expansion completes in a few months, there will be a second A380 capable gate so it would definitely be possible for another airline to bring the A380 to ORD when that happens.



The thing to remember is that Oneworld and Star Alliance airlines will relocate to the Global Terminal when that completes later this decade, so those airlines would likely wait to open new lounges in the Global Terminal when it's completed.

As far as Skyteam and non-affiliated carriers go, haven't herd of any plans for new lounges aside from the new Delta Skyclub, so we'll just have to wait and see.

I could definitely see Emirates build a lounge at ORD. They have lounges at most of the US airports they serve including JFK, BOS, SFO, and LAX. Perhaps they will build one by the second A380 gate when the T5 expansion completes.

Originally Posted by F1 Tommy (Post 9675197)

Air Serbia will be launching BEG-ORD in spring 2023 with Airbus A330 aircraft. They only serve JFK in North America.

Originally Posted by Vlajos (Post 9693247)

O'Hare really booming this year. Flight up 22% almost the same number of flights as Hartford to date.

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg...g-jump-flights

Originally Posted by F1 Tommy (Post 9693269)

That's good but all the key southern US hubs are doing better. Sounds like that article rating ORD as one of the best airports in the US. Let's face it, most of the domestic terminals are a dump and need to be replaced or renovated ASAP. The T5 upgrades and the T1 window/upgrades are also good along with the new L-side gates.

Originally Posted by OrdoSeclorum (Post 9693372)

What do you mean that "key southern hubs are doing better"? No airport in the world had more operations than O'hare this June. And O'hare is up 22% to almost tie AT for first place for the whole year, while ATL and DFW are up 5%.

O'hare needs to be improved a lot to be clearly be the most significant U.S. airport instead of one of the most significant. But by the end of the decade it will be.

Originally Posted by Chi-Sky21 (Post 9693320)

T5 needs to get worked out FAST. Just came in and had to walk forever from the far end then was in customs line for an hour. For O'Hare to be successful it needs to make this way more seamless. I can't imagine anyone having a connecting flight and having to budget for that.

Originally Posted by Chi-Sky21 (Post 9693320)

T5 needs to get worked out FAST. Just came in and had to walk forever from the far end then was in customs line for an hour. For O'Hare to be successful it needs to make this way more seamless. I can't imagine anyone having a connecting flight and having to budget for that.

Originally Posted by Chicagoguy (Post 9725575)

Qantas Expands The Pool Of Potential Project Sunrise Destinations

Once all announced non-stop services have begun, Qantas will connect London to Sydney and Melbourne. It will also connect these two Australian cities to Paris and Frankfurt. It will connect Sydney to Dallas, New York, Miami, and Chicago. New York, Chicago, and Miami will also be connected to Melbourne. Miami and Chicago were the two most recent additions to Project Sunrise's list. The existing London to Perth route will continue operations, while a separate route will soon connect Perth to Rome.

https://simpleflying.com/qantas-expa...nrise-network/

Originally Posted by MayorOfChicago (Post 9732296)

Flew into terminal 5 from Milan yesterday, it was crazy. Walked right into the customs area, not a single person waiting, strolled right through in 30 seconds and then walked over and our bags were right there in front of us. From when we walked off the plane until we got on the people mover and over to the CTA station was less than 10 minutes.

Originally Posted by MayorOfChicago (Post 9732296)

Flew into terminal 5 from Milan yesterday, it was crazy. Walked right into the customs area, not a single person waiting, strolled right through in 30 seconds and then walked over and our bags were right there in front of us. From when we walked off the plane until we got on the people mover and over to the CTA station was less than 10 minutes.