Flying with Lufthansa from Chicago O’Hare? One of the first things to know is that the airline does not use the same terminal for departures and international arrivals. For most Lufthansa-operated flights, Terminal 1 is used for departures, while international arrivals are processed through Terminal 5. That simple distinction answers most questions travelers have about the Lufthansa O’Hare terminal. If you are starting your trip in Chicago, head to Terminal 1 for check-in, baggage drop, security, and boarding. If you are meeting someone arriving on Lufthansa from overseas, Terminal 5 is normally where they will complete immigration, collect their baggage, and enter the public arrivals area. This guide covers the Lufthansa Airlines ORD Terminal, check-in, arrivals, departures, lounges, security, baggage, parking, transportation, and terminal transfers in a simple, traveler-friendly way.
Information Details Lufthansa Airlines Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- Airport: Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- Airport Code: ORD
- Lufthansa Departure Terminal: Terminal 1
- Lufthansa International Arrival Terminal: Terminal 5
- Terminal 1 Concourse: Concourses B and C
- Terminal 5 Concourse: M
- Online Check-in: Available before departure
- Terminal Transportation Airport: Transit System
- Airline Code: LH
- ICAO Code: DLH
- Official Website: www.lufthansa.com
- Twitter: twitter.com/lufthansa
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lufthansa
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lufthansa
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/lufthansa
The most important thing to remember is straightforward: Lufthansa departures normally use Terminal 1, while international Lufthansa arrivals use Terminal 5.
What Terminal Is Lufthansa at O’Hare?
If you are departing from Chicago on a Lufthansa-operated flight, you will normally use Terminal 1.Terminal 1 is home to Concourses B and C and handles a number of Star Alliance flights. Lufthansa passengers beginning their journey at ORD generally complete check-in and security here before walking to their assigned gate. International arrivals are handled differently. Lufthansa flights arriving in Chicago from overseas normally use Terminal 5 because this is where passengers can complete U.S. immigration and customs formalities.
That is why both Terminal 1 and Terminal 5 can appear when you search for the Lufthansa ORD terminal.
Lufthansa O’Hare Terminal for Departures
If Chicago is the starting point of your journey, Terminal 1 is the terminal you need. Passengers should follow signs for Lufthansa after entering the terminal. Your ticket and class of travel may require you to visit a check-in counter or drop checked baggage, or may require your documents to be checked before you proceed to security.
Even if you have checked in online, allow plenty of time for the rest of the airport process. International travel normally involves passport checks, baggage procedures and other requirements that can add to a typical domestic departure. After passing thru security, check the airport monitors or Lufthansa app for the final gate assignment.
Lufthansa Checkin Chicago O’Hare
Lufthansa makes it easy for passengers to check in online prior to arriving at the airport, making departure day a little less stressful. Online check-in is generally available before your flight and enables eligible passengers to select seats, review travel details and obtain a boarding pass. If you have luggage to check, however, you still need to visit the appropriate baggage-drop area in Terminal 1.
It is a good idea to keep the following close at hand:
- Passport
- Boarding pass
- Visa or travel authorization, when required
- Baggage documents
- Any destination-specific travel papers
Having these documents ready is especially useful for international trips, where airline staff may need to verify entry requirements before accepting you for travel.
Inside Lufthansa Terminal 1 at O’Hare
Terminal 1 is divided into Concourses B and C. After security, travelers will find restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, restrooms, seating areas, charging points, and other passenger facilities. Your Lufthansa gate may be located in either concourse depending on airport operations, so do not rely on an old gate number from a previous trip. Instead, check your boarding pass and airport departure screens after clearing security. Give yourself enough time to walk to the gate, especially if your flight is departing from farther into Concourse C.
Lufthansa Arrivals at Chicago O’Hare
International Lufthansa arrivals normally use Terminal 5. After landing, passengers generally follow signs toward U.S. immigration. Once immigration is complete, travelers collect checked baggage and continue through customs before entering the public arrivals area. This process can take time. A flight may land exactly on schedule, but the passenger may not reach the arrivals hall for another 30 minutes or longer depending on immigration queues, baggage delivery, and passenger volume.
If you are picking someone up, checking the aircraft’s landing time alone is not enough. It is better to stay in touch with the traveler once they have completed immigration and collected their luggage.
Lufthansa Terminal 5 at O’Hare
Terminal 5 handles the international-arrival side of Lufthansa’s Chicago operation. For anyone meeting a passenger, this is the part of the airport that matters most. Do not head automatically to Terminal 1 simply because Lufthansa departures leave from there. International arrivals normally complete their entry process in Terminal 5.
Terminal 5 also has restaurants, shops, transportation services, parking access, and ground-transportation options. If Chicago is the traveler’s final destination, they can leave the airport after completing customs. Passengers connecting to another flight may need to transfer to a different terminal.
Connecting From Lufthansa Terminal 5 to Terminal 1
If you arrive internationally on Lufthansa and have a connecting flight from Terminal 1, allow plenty of time. International passengers normally complete immigration and customs first. Depending on the itinerary, you may also need to collect checked luggage and hand it over again for the connecting flight. Once you’ve finished the arrival process, you can travel between terminals on Chicago O’Hare’s Airport Transit System (ATS). The ATS connects Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5 as well as the airport’s Multi-Modal Facility.
Once you reach the terminal for your onward flight, you may need to go through TSA security again before continuing to the gate. This is why a tight international connection at O’Hare can feel very different from a normal domestic connection.
How Long Does It Take to Transfer Between Terminal 5 and Terminal 1?
The train ride itself is only one part of the transfer. You also need to consider:
- Walking from the arrival gate
- Immigration
- Baggage claim
- Customs
- Possible baggage recheck
- Waiting for transportation
- TSA screening
- Walking to the connecting gate
For this reason, do not calculate your connection using only the ATS travel time. A comfortable connection gives you much more room to handle immigration queues or baggage delays without rushing through the airport.
Security at the Lufthansa Chicago O’Hare Terminal
Departing Lufthansa passengers normally clear TSA security in Terminal 1. Security waiting times can vary considerably depending on the time of day and passenger traffic. Busy mornings, holidays, weekends, and major travel periods can lead to longer lines.
Have your ID and boarding pass out before you get in line for security. Travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck should verify that the PreCheck indicator is printed on their boarding pass before proceeding to an eligible lane. And packing your carry-on properly can help you avoid unnecessary delays at the checkpoint.
When should you get to ORD for your Lufthansa flight?
When flying internationally with Lufthansa, it’s a good idea to arrive three hours before your flight. It may be a while until: Airline check in Passport validation Left-luggage TSA checks On our way to the gate Embarkation procedures Those without checked baggage and with a boarding pass can get thru the terminal faster, but it’s still not smart to schedule the shortest possible airport experience.
International flights also often begin boarding earlier than domestic flights. Arriving with extra time is much easier than trying to make up lost time after reaching the airport.
Lufthansa Lounge at ORD
Premium travelers often ask about the Lufthansa lounge at ORD. Lufthansa passengers may be eligible to use partner lounge facilities at Chicago O’Hare depending on their cabin class, Star Alliance status, frequent-flyer membership, and itinerary.
Terminal 1 includes United lounge facilities, including the United Polaris Lounge in Concourse C. However, lounge access is not included with every Lufthansa ticket. If lounge access matters to you, check the rules attached to your specific booking before arriving at the airport rather than assuming your ticket qualifies.
Food and Shopping in Terminal 1
There are plenty of places to eat while waiting for a Lufthansa departure. There are a variety of quick-service restaurants, cafés, snack shops and places to sit down and eat at Terminal 1. You will also find stores selling travel essentials, electronics, gifts, reading material, and other items. If you have a long wait before boarding, check what is available close to your gate rather than walking back across the terminal immediately before departure. Restaurant opening hours can also vary, particularly for very early or late flights.
Lufthansa Baggage at Chicago O’Hare
Passengers departing from Chicago with checked baggage should use the Lufthansa baggage facilities in Terminal 1. Make sure you know your baggage allowance before reaching the airport. Checked baggage limits can depend on your cabin, fare type, route, and frequent-flyer status. For international arrivals, checked baggage is collected as part of the Terminal 5 immigration and customs process.
Passengers making an onward connection may need to collect their luggage and recheck it after customs. Do not assume that your bag will automatically move to the next aircraft without you seeing it. Ask at your departure airport if you are unsure how your specific connection is handled.
Parking for Lufthansa Passengers
Parking choices depend on whether you are flying out or picking someone up. For Lufthansa departures from Terminal 1, parking areas close to the domestic terminals can be convenient for shorter stays. Passengers who need long-term parking can use O’Hare’s economy parking options and connect back to the terminals using airport transportation.
If you are meeting an arriving Lufthansa passenger, parking near Terminal 5 may be more convenient because international arrivals come through that terminal. Airport parking prices and availability can change, so checking current information before driving to ORD is worthwhile.
Getting to Lufthansa Terminal 1
There are several ways to reach Chicago O’Hare.
| CTA Blue Line | The CTA Blue Line connects downtown Chicago and several neighborhoods directly with O’Hare. It can be a practical option for passengers who want to avoid driving and parking. |
| Taxi | Taxis operate between O’Hare and destinations throughout Chicago and the surrounding area. |
| Rideshare | Rideshare services are also available, although pickup locations may differ from regular passenger drop-off areas. |
| Rental Car | Rental-car facilities are located at the Multi-Modal Facility and are connected to the terminals by the Airport Transit System. |
| Private Drop-Off | If someone is driving you to the airport for a Lufthansa departure, tell them Terminal 1 before entering the airport road system. That small detail can save time and prevent an unnecessary terminal transfer. |
Picking Up a Lufthansa Passenger
If you are meeting someone arriving internationally on Lufthansa, plan for Terminal 5. Check the flight status before leaving home, but remember that landing time is not the same as pickup time.
The passenger still needs to:
- Leave the aircraft.
- Walk to immigration.
- Complete passport control.
- Collect checked luggage.
- Clear customs.
- Walk into the public arrivals area.
Staying in contact with the traveler after landing is often the easiest way to time your pickup.
Lufthansa Flights From Chicago O’Hare
Lufthansa connects Chicago with destinations in its European network and beyond through onward connections. One important detail is that some tickets sold under a Lufthansa flight number may be operated by a partner airline. This matters because the operating airline may use a different terminal.
Before going to O’Hare, check the words “operated by” on your booking. If another airline is operating your flight, follow that carrier’s terminal information rather than relying only on the Lufthansa name printed on your ticket.
Useful Tips for Flying Lufthansa From ORD
A little planning goes a long way at a large airport like O’Hare.
- Check your terminal before leaving: For a Lufthansa-operated departure, Terminal 1 is normally correct, but checking your boarding pass takes only a few seconds.
- Check in online: Completing check-in before arriving can simplify the airport process.
- Arrive early: International journeys involve more steps than most domestic trips.
- Keep travel documents together: A passport buried at the bottom of your bag is never helpful when a check-in agent needs to see it.
- Confirm your gate after security: Gate assignments can change.
- Allow extra time for connections: An international arrival followed by a domestic connection can involve immigration, baggage, terminal transportation, and another security check.
- Check the operating carrier: Codeshare flights do not always follow Lufthansa’s usual terminal arrangements.
List of All Lufthansa Airlines Terminals Worldwide.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport Interactive Map for Lufthansa Airlines Passengers
Final Thoughts
The Lufthansa terminal setup at Chicago O’Hare is easier to understand once you separate departures from arrivals. If you are leaving Chicago on a Lufthansa-operated flight, start at Terminal 1. This is where you will normally handle check-in, baggage, TSA security, and boarding. If you are arriving in Chicago on an international Lufthansa flight, Terminal 5 is normally your arrival terminal. This is where passengers complete immigration, baggage claim, and customs before entering the public area. That distinction is especially useful for anyone planning airport transportation or meeting a traveler.
Before every journey, check your boarding pass and flight status one final time. O’Hare is a busy international airport, gates can change, and a Lufthansa codeshare operated by another airline may use a different terminal. A quick check before leaving home can save you from starting your trip at the wrong side of the airport.