Chicago Airports: Acres Of Land And Aviation

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known as O'Hare Airport, Chicago O'Hare, or simply O'Hare, covers 7,627 acres (3,087 hectares) and is located on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois. The airport is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation and is considered the most connected airport in the US, with non-stop flights to 249 destinations worldwide.

O'Hare International Airport covers 7,627 acres

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known as O'Hare Airport, Chicago O'Hare, or simply O'Hare, covers 7,627 acres (3,087 hectares). It is located on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. The airport is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation, which also owns a 357-acre (144-hectare) reserve base that was acquired in 1997.

O'Hare International Airport is a major international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is considered the most connected airport in the US and the 5th most connected airport in the world as of 2024. The 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.

The airport covers a vast area of 7,627 acres, making it one of the largest airports in the world. It handles almost two million tons of freight annually and provides excellent service and a pleasant environment for passengers. O'Hare has expanded over the years, growing from 7,200 acres in 1959 to its current size. The expansion included the addition of new hangars, terminals, parking, and other facilities, as well as improved highway access.

O'Hare International Airport is a significant transportation hub, not only for Chicago but also for the entire Midwest region of the United States. Its large acreage allows for the efficient handling of a high volume of passenger and cargo traffic, contributing to its reputation as one of the world's most connected airports.

The airport has non-stop flights to 249 destinations

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known as O'Hare Airport, Chicago O'Hare, or simply O'Hare, is a major international airport located on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. The airport covers a vast area of 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) or 7,200 acres (2,900 ha) according to another source. This includes a 357-acre (144 ha) site that came under the ownership of the Chicago Department of Aviation in 1997.

O'Hare is a bustling hub, offering non-stop flights to an impressive 249 destinations across the globe. As of Summer 2024, passengers can travel directly to a wide range of locations in North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic region. This extensive network has earned O'Hare the title of the most connected airport in the United States and the fifth most connected airport worldwide as of 2024.

The airport's expansive acreage allows for efficient handling of both passenger and cargo operations. O'Hare shifts nearly two million tons of freight annually, showcasing its significant role in facilitating global trade and commerce.

In addition to its impressive size and connectivity, O'Hare prioritises excellent service and a pleasant environment for travellers. The airport has installed various attractions to enhance the experience of its passengers. O'Hare's commitment to both functionality and passenger comfort solidifies its reputation as a world-class aviation hub.

O'Hare is considered the most connected airport in the US

Covering over 7,000 acres, Chicago O'Hare Airport is considered the most connected airport in the US. As of summer 2024, O'Hare had non-stop flights to 249 destinations in North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the North Atlantic region. In 2024, aviation analytics company Cirium named the best-connected airports in the world, looking at which hubs offered the most non-stop flights on a daily basis. For Chicago O'Hare International Airport, that number came to 270.

The airport's top US ranking is bolstered by ongoing efforts like the O'Hare 21 capital improvement program, designed to expand capacity, enhance efficiency, and improve the passenger experience. "O'Hare's leadership in connectivity is the result of strategic planning, a commitment to public safety, strong airline partnerships, and a relentless focus on innovation," said CDA Commissioner Jamie Rhee.

In 2019, O'Hare was named the third best-connected airport in the world, according to the Official Aviation Guide (OAG), the global authority on air service information. The 2019 Megahubs U.S. Index ranks O'Hare ahead of other major U.S. hubs in Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York.

The airport is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation and is located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district.

The airport is located 17 miles from the Loop business district

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known as O'Hare Airport, Chicago O'Hare, or simply O'Hare, is located 17 miles from the Loop business district. The airport covers 7,627 acres, or 3,087 hectares.

The airport is located on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois, and is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation. O'Hare has non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the world, including North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic region. As of 2024, it was considered the most connected airport in the US and the fifth most connected airport in the world.

The airport has a rich history, with scheduled passenger service beginning in 1955. However, growth was initially slow, as airlines were reluctant to move from Midway, which was then the world's busiest airport. Improvements to O'Hare, including the construction of new terminals and facilities, as well as the completion of the expressway link to downtown Chicago (now known as the Kennedy Expressway), eventually attracted airlines to relocate their operations to O'Hare.

Today, O'Hare continues to thrive and expand, offering excellent service and a pleasant environment for travellers.

The reserve base closed in 1997

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known as O'Hare Airport, Chicago O'Hare or simply O'Hare, covers 7,627 acres (3,087 ha). The airport is located on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois, 14 miles (23 km) northwest of the Loop business district.

The reserve base closed on April 1, 1997, as a result of a 1993 agreement between the City and the Department of Defense. At the time of its closure, the remaining 357-acre (144 ha) site came under the ownership of the Chicago Department of Aviation. The base was previously home to the 928th Airlift Wing and the 126th Air Refueling Wing, which ended its tenure in 1999.

The airport has expanded significantly since its early days. By April 1959, just four years after scheduled passenger service began, the airport had expanded to 7,200 acres (2,900 ha). This expansion included new hangars, terminals, parking and other facilities. The expressway link to downtown Chicago, now known as the Kennedy Expressway, was completed in 1960. New Terminals 2 and 3 opened on January 1, 1962, and the introduction of jet airliners was a significant factor in driving airlines to relocate their operations from Midway to O'Hare. Today, O'Hare is considered the most connected airport in the US and the fifth most connected airport in the world, offering non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the globe.

Frequently asked questions