From what I recall, Chicago O'Hare's Terminal 5 - the "International terminal" - was built in the mid 1990s. From what I recall then - flying with American Airlines - was that the O'Hare T5 immigration section was far faster than other airports such as San Francisco (I have not been to San Francisco for some years but know that they have a significantly better area for international arrivals now). The hall where passports were checked was large and there seemed like a big baggage claim area.

However, flying with American meant that departures back to Europe were from Terminal 3 which American Airlines also uses for domestic connections. I therefore never got to see what the departures area of Chicago's Terminal 5 was like. In the last 3-4 years I have flown to Texas using a Gatwick-Dallas connection then taken the short connection to Austin. This was not available and the booking system came up with BA to Chicago then AA onward to Austin.

 

Yesterday I arrived in Chicago from Austin and proceeded to T5. I expected a spacious departure area with plenty of space for shopping, eating and drinking. I expected a similar space to the arrivals area. I was shocked that once I was through the security checks the main departures area was the five metre wide corridor you see above with tiny stalls selling things. There was a small "concessions area" to the right and there was a BA lounge hidden away but very acceptable. I was underwhelmed at the design...it seemed like a missed opportunity.

 

For most of the last decade I have generally flown in 777s or 767s across the Atlantic. Overnight it was a 747-400 for a change...and on arrival Heathrow's Terminal 5 seemed hugely impressive in comparison.

The only downside of arriving at Heathrow T5 was that BA had sent the outward flight from Terminal 4. The dog's leg journey using the Heathrow train system and a change at Heathrow Central was timeconsuming.