Secure airside bus service between Terminal 5 and Terminals 1 and 3 will resume operation on Wednesday, March 1, further simplifying layovers for the millions of passengers who connect through the nation’s second-busiest airport each year, the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) announced today.

“After having to suspend this service due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Terminal 5 construction, I’m happy to say that we’re again ready to whisk connecting passengers from our core terminals to the newly renovated and expanded T5,” said CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee. “I encourage passengers across America to book your next connecting flight through O’Hare — where the world’s best-connected airport is ready to connect you to the world.” 

The daily service will include two different routes running every 15 minutes between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. One Terminal Transfer Bus route will operate between Gate B1 at Terminal 1 and Gate M13 at Terminal 5. The other Terminal Transfer Bus route will operate between Gates G17 and K20 in Terminal 3 and Gate M13 at Terminal 5. Both bus routes will transport passengers in each direction. 

The secure airside bus service, which was suspended in March 2020, dramatically improves convenience for passengers arriving on a flight into Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and connecting to a flight that departs from Terminal 5, or vice versa. Currently, these passengers must exit the secure area, board the Airport Transit System (ATS) to access their connecting terminal, then be re-screened to again access the secure area. The restored bus service will save travelers time and stress, with the added benefit of reducing passenger volumes at all security checkpoints, particularly those at Terminal 5. 

Connecting passengers arriving at Terminal 5 will find a significantly improved facility, with 25% more gate capacity, new dining and retail locations, and a new Delta Sky Club lounge. The expansion and renovation of Terminal 5 was formally opened by Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot last month. 

The Terminal 5 improvement project is part of the broader O’Hare 21 capital plan, Chicago’s vision for a modern, efficient global hub that serves the needs of the traveling public in the 21st century. Learn more at ORD21.com.