Chicago's Airport Offerings: A Comprehensive Overview

Chicago is a major city with a lot of air traffic. The Windy City is home to several airports, including two major international airports: O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the country, with dozens of airlines flying to and from its four terminals. It is located on the northwest side of Chicago and offers nearly 1,000 daily direct flights to and from international and domestic destinations. Midway, on the other hand, is located on the south side of Chicago and is less busy, with around 220 flights each day, mostly domestic. There is also a third international airport, Gary/Chicago International Airport, about 25 miles from downtown Chicago, serving general aviation, corporate, commercial, and cargo users. Chicago also has several private airports, including Lafayette, which is known for its exceptional customer service and convenient location.

Chicago O'Hare Airport

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD) is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is located on the northwest side of the city, approximately 17 miles (27 km) from the Loop business district. O'Hare is the most connected airport in the US and the 5th most connected airport globally as of 2024. It is also the 4th busiest airport in the world and the 16th largest airport.

O'Hare Airport began as an airfield serving a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports during World War II. The site was originally known as Orchard Place, which was previously a small German-American farming community. In 1949, the city renamed the facility O'Hare Airport to honour Edward "Butch" O'Hare, the first flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient of the US Navy during World War II.

O'Hare Airport offers non-stop flights to 249 destinations across North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic region. It offers nearly 1,000 daily direct flights, with five terminals providing a wide range of dining and shopping options. Terminal 1 airlines include ANA, Lufthansa, United, and United Express. Terminal 2 serves Air Canada, Alaska, Delta, Delta Shuttle, and JetBlue. Terminal 3 is home to Air Choice One, American Airlines, American Airlines Shuttle, Cape Air, Iberia, Japan Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. Terminal 5 hosts over 30 airlines, including international carriers like Air France, British Airways, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines, as well as US-based carriers such as Southwest and Frontier.

The airport is easily accessible through various transportation options. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line and the Metra commuter train service provide convenient connections. Additionally, regional and airport shuttle buses serve the airport, and taxi or ridesharing services are also available. For those driving their own cars, parking is offered at a rate of $15 per day.

Chicago Midway Airport

Chicago is served by two major airports: O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. While O'Hare is the busiest of the two, with five terminals and five times as many domestic and international flights as Midway, Midway is still a significant airport in its own right. Located on the south side of Chicago, Midway Airport is less busy than O'Hare, with around 220 flights each day, mostly to domestic destinations.

The history of Midway Airport dates back to 1923 when it was built on a 320-acre plot with a single cinder runway, primarily for airmail flights. Originally named Chicago Air Park, the airport was leased by the city in 1926 and renamed Chicago Municipal Airport in 1927. The airport expanded significantly between 1938 and 1941, filling an entire square mile. This expansion allowed Midway to surpass New York's LaGuardia Airport as the busiest airline airport in the United States in 1948, a title it held until 1960.

However, by the late 1950s, Midway Airport faced challenges due to its limited space. The emergence of larger jetliners, such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8, highlighted the shortcoming of Midway's runways, which were too short to safely accommodate these aircraft. As a result, all Chicago jet flights were redirected to O'Hare Airport, which had opened to airlines in 1955.

Today, Midway Airport remains an important transportation hub for the city of Chicago. The airport features a terminal complex completed in 2001, with 43 gates and facilities for international passengers. The CTA rapid transit Orange Line provides convenient transit to Downtown Chicago, connecting with other subway and elevated rapid transit lines. For travellers headed to neighbourhoods south of the Loop, Midway Airport is often the more convenient option compared to O'Hare.

Gary/Chicago International Airport

Chicago is served by two major airports: O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. However, there is a third international airport, Gary/Chicago International Airport, which is about 25 miles from downtown Chicago.

The airport covers 763 acres of land at an elevation of 597 feet above mean sea level. It has two asphalt runways: 12/30, which is 8,859 feet long and 150 feet wide, and 2/20, which is 3,604 feet long and 100 feet wide. These runways can accommodate aircraft of all sizes. In addition, the airport has an Army Aviation Support Facility that supports UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter operations of the Indiana Army National Guard.

DuPage County Airport

Chicago is served by two major airports: O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. However, there is a third international airport, Gary/Chicago International Airport, about 25 miles from downtown Chicago, serving general aviation, corporate, commercial, and cargo users.

In addition to these, there is also the DuPage County Airport, a general aviation airport located about 29 miles west of downtown Chicago. It is one of North America's premier business aviation facilities, serving as a destination for corporate and private aviation needs. The airport offers 2,800 acres of property, including a superior airfield and first-class flight centre, a championship golf course, and a high-technology business park.

DuPage Airport is the only facility of its kind in Illinois with four active runways, two ILS approaches, and a 1 million square foot apron. The primary runway is the second longest in the Chicago area, capable of accommodating large corporate aircraft, including the Boeing Business Jet. The airport is owned and operated by the DuPage Airport Authority, an independent government body established by the state of Illinois.

The history of DuPage Airport dates back to 1927 when two Chicago entrepreneurs purchased the land, which was previously used for sheep grazing, and began barnstorming, using the field as a grass strip. During World War II, the US Navy requisitioned the airport, built brick hangars, and paved two runways in an "X" pattern for pilot training. After the war, in 1946, the Navy sold the airport to DuPage County for $1, and it continued to expand and develop over the subsequent decades. Today, it is one of the busiest airports in Illinois, offering a range of services and facilities for business and general aviation users.

Lafayette Airport

Chicago is home to three international airports: Chicago O'Hare Airport, Chicago Midway Airport, and Gary/Chicago International Airport. O'Hare is Chicago's busiest airport, with five terminals and a wide range of domestic and international flights. It is located on the northwest side of the city and can be easily accessed via the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line, the Metra commuter train, or regional and airport shuttle buses.

Now, if you're specifically referring to Lafayette Airport in relation to Chicago, it seems you may be talking about Purdue University Airport, which is located in West Lafayette and has the airport code LAF. This airport offers direct flights to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, with the flight time being approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to 2 hours and 29 minutes. There are also alternative options to get from West Lafayette to Chicago O'Hare, such as taking a bus or a train, with the latter being operated by Amtrak and arriving at Chicago Union Station.

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