June 30--Another noticeable sign for Chicagoans of the integration of American Airlines and US Airways will come Tuesday when the airlines combine their flight departures into a single terminal at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Currently, US Airways operates out of Terminal 2 at O'Hare, and American operates out of Terminal 3. Beginning Tuesday, all US Airways flights will also depart from Terminal 3.
Temporarily, that means hoofing it for many US Airways customers who need ticket-counter services, such as baggage check and boarding passes. They will still check in at Terminal 2 and go through security there. Then, they must walk to their departure gates on the H concourse of Terminal 3, an estimated four-minute additional walk.
"We are working on enhanced signage and staffing to make sure this is clear to customers," an American airlines spokeswoman said.
However, customers who don't need ticket-counter services -- with boarding passes printed at home or located on their mobile devices and with no checked baggage -- can avoid the walk by entering through security at Terminal 3.
Later this year, US Airways' full operations, including the ticket counters, will relocate to Terminal 3. A spokeswoman estimated that would most likely happen in the fall.
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