flying from Las Vegas (LAS) to Frankfurt (FRA) via Chicago O

Question

Hi everyone,

I’ll be flying from Las Vegas (LAS) to Frankfurt (FRA) via Chicago O’Hare (ORD). First leg is United LAS → ORD (domestic), then a connection to Lufthansa ORD → FRA (international), both on one ticket.

My layover in Chicago is only 35 minutes.

👉 Question: Do I need to go through TSA security screening again when transferring from the domestic United flight (Concourse B) to the international Lufthansa flight (Concourse C) in ORD Terminal 1?

If you’ve done this exact connection, how long did the security process take you, and were the lines long?

Thanks a lot for your insights! 🙏✈️

Answer

At Chicago O’Hare (ORD), when you are connecting from a domestic flight to an international flight departing from the same terminal (Terminal 1, Lufthansa usually boards at Concourse C), you generally do not need to go through TSA security again if your bags are checked through to Frankfurt and both flights are on the same ticket. Once you deplane from your domestic flight in Concourse B, you will follow the signs for “Connecting Flights” or “International Connections.”

Here’s what typically happens:

After arriving at Concourse B, you will follow the airport signage to Concourse C. Depending on your gate, you may need to use a pedestrian bridge or the underground people mover.
Since you are staying within Terminal 1 and your bags are checked through, you do not need to clear security again—ORD has a secure corridor between Concourses B and C.
However, you will go through a document check by Lufthansa staff or U.S. Customs & Border Protection for your outbound international flight. They may check your passport and boarding pass at the gate or pre-clearance area.

Timing considerations:

35 minutes is extremely tight at ORD, especially if the domestic flight is delayed or the plane docks at a gate far from the connecting concourse. ORD is a large airport, and walking or taking the train between gates can take 10–15 minutes depending on distance.
Some travelers have reported that connecting within Terminal 1 can be done in 15–20 minutes if everything goes smoothly, but it leaves very little margin for delay.
Airlines sometimes have priority connection services for short layovers, but 35 minutes is still considered risky for an international connection. Lufthansa may protect you with a rebooking if you miss the flight on a single ticket, but you should confirm at check-in.

Practical tips:

Check with your airline to see if they recommend a minimum connection time for your routing. At ORD, the minimum connection for domestic → international in Terminal 1 is generally listed as 45–50 minutes.
Inform the flight attendants on your Las Vegas flight that you have a tight international connection—they may be able to advise or assist.
Move quickly to the connecting gate as soon as you deplane, and monitor your gate assignment in case it changes.
If your flights are on the same ticket, your luggage will usually be automatically transferred, so you won’t need to retrieve and recheck it.

In summary, you should not need to go through TSA security again when transferring within Terminal 1 from Concourse B to C, but 35 minutes is very tight. If at all possible, consider a longer layover to reduce stress and allow for any delays or walking time between gates.

flying from Las Vegas (LAS) to Frankfurt (FRA) via Chicago O

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