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Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known by the IATA ORD, ICAO KORD, and FAA LID: ORD, is one of the world's busiest airports. It is located on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois, and covers a vast area of 7,627 acres. With a rich history dating back to World War II, O'Hare initially served as a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters. Today, it offers non-stop flights to numerous global destinations and is considered the most connected airport in the United States. But can you view planes at this bustling aviation hub?
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What You'll Learn
Where to view planes at O'Hare Airport
Plane spotting is a popular activity at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. There are several locations around the airport where plane enthusiasts can watch planes take off and land. One popular spot is a gravel driveway at the end of runway 28C, which offers an incredible vantage point with planes flying directly overhead. This spot is open to the public and can be accessed by turning in on Access from Irving Park and turning left on O'Hare Cargo Area Road.
Another great place to view planes is from the rooftop of a casino near O'Hare. While photography is allowed, it is recommended to not stay too long, as security may approach. A set of office buildings near a flight path is also an option, where planes can be seen flying just 700 feet overhead.
For those who want to see the huge jets, Pilot Pete's restaurant by a small airport is a great choice. While the jets aiming for O'Hare can be seen, the restaurant also offers the chance to see small aircraft take off and land. Additionally, a park in Bensenville called Popular Park is located close to the airport, allowing visitors to see planes flying right overhead.
To get a more official plane-spotting experience, one can join the O'Hare Plane Spotters Association, which grants special access to the airport a few times a year. This membership adds legitimacy to plane-spotting and photography trips to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
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History of O'Hare Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world today and one of the biggest, with eight runways. It is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States, located on the city's northwest side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district.
O'Hare Airport began as a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during World War II. The site was originally known as Orchard Place, previously a small German-American farming community. The plant needed easy access to the workforce of Chicago, railroads, and a location far from enemy threat. The United States Air Force used the field extensively during the Korean War.
The airport was renamed Chicago O'Hare Airport in 1949, in honour of Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a US Navy pilot and the first recipient of the Medal of Honor. O'Hare was a World War II hero and his father was a mob lawyer who helped federal authorities convict Al Capone and was subsequently gunned down.
O'Hare Airport opened for domestic commercial traffic in 1955. It was one of the first major airport constructions in the US at the time, pioneering concepts such as concourses, direct highway access to the terminal, jet bridges, and underground refuelling systems. The airport's IATA code, ORD, is a reference to its original name of Orchard.
By 1961, O'Hare was the second busiest airport in the US, with 9.62 million passengers that year. It was the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998 and still ranks as one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2023, the airport became the world's busiest by the number of flights.
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Famous incidents at O'Hare Airport
O'Hare International Airport in Chicago has a famous history, having been the world's busiest airport for passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. With this level of traffic, it is no surprise that the airport has seen its fair share of incidents over the years.
One of the most recent incidents at O'Hare Airport involved a DoorDash driver. In May 2025, the driver made it past a gated security checkpoint and onto the secure roadways. The driver travelled a significant distance before stopping on the ramp next to a parked United jet. This was not the first security scare at the airport. On the 4th of July, a busy travel day, passengers endured a scary landing after their Chicago-bound flight was diverted. Another flight departing from O'Hare veered off the runway in Boston, causing delays.
O'Hare Airport has also experienced operational issues. On one Friday morning, a ground stop was put in place for arriving planes, causing potential delays for travellers. In another incident, a family from Maine claimed that their layover at O'Hare turned into a nightmare as they had to use an ice pack to prevent their 15-month-old son from overheating.
These incidents, both minor and major, have contributed to the rich history of one of the world's busiest airports.
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Destinations from O'Hare Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known by the IATA code ORD, ICAO code KORD, and FAA LID code ORD, is located on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. As of summer 2024, O'Hare offered non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the world, making it the most connected airport in the United States and the fifth most connected airport worldwide.
O'Hare's destinations include regions such as North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic. As of 2019, the airport had the most aircraft movements in the world, with 919,704 aircraft movements that year, averaging 2,520 per day. This high volume of regional flights contributes to O'Hare's ranking as one of the busiest airports globally.
O'Hare serves as a hub for several major airlines, including American Airlines and United Airlines, the latter of which is headquartered in Willis Tower. Additionally, it serves as an operating base for Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines.
The airport is easily accessible by various transportation options, including airport shuttle, bus, the Chicago "L", and taxis. Moreover, the Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 190) provides a direct route to the airport.
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O'Hare Airport's busiest times
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. As of 2024, it is the fourth busiest airport in the world and the most connected airport in the United States. O'Hare had 919,704 aircraft movements in 2019, averaging 2,520 per day—the most of any airport in the world—due in part to a large number of regional flights.
O'Hare's innovative design, including concourses, direct highway access to the terminal, jet bridges, and underground refueling systems, was first conceptualized after World War II. The airport's location was initially a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during World War II, known as Orchard Place. The airport was renamed Orchard Field Airport in the mid-1940s and was assigned the IATA code ORD.
O'Hare's busiest times are likely during the day, as it had the highest number of aircraft movements per day worldwide in 2019. Regional flights also contribute significantly to the airport's traffic, with O'Hare offering non-stop flights to 249 destinations across North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic region.
To view planes at O'Hare Airport, there are several spots known for plane spotting. These locations offer clear views of the runways and arriving or departing aircraft. Researching these locations can help determine the best times to visit for optimal plane viewing. Additionally, checking the flight schedules and planning around peak times can increase the chances of witnessing more aircraft movements.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can view planes at O'Hare International Airport.
Yes, there are several spots where you can watch planes take off and land at O'Hare Airport. One popular spot may be the "Plane Spotter Park" located near the airport.
Yes, you may be able to enter the airport without a ticket to view planes taking off and landing from inside. However, it is important to note that this may be subject to security restrictions and it is recommended to check with the airport beforehand.
