Chicago's Airport System: A Comprehensive Overview

Chicago is a bustling city with a number of airports catering to the different needs of its residents and tourists alike. The city has two major international airports, O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport, as well as several other notable airports in and around the city. O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the country, with dozens of airlines flying to and from its four terminals. Midway, on the other hand, is much smaller, with just one main terminal, but still offers a range of domestic and international flights. In addition to these two main airports, Chicago is also served by several other airports, including DuPage County Airport, PalWaukee Airport, and Rockford International Airport. Each of these airports offers its own unique advantages and facilities, contributing to the progress of the tourism sector in Chicago.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

O'Hare has four terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5) and nine concourses (A, B, C, E, F, G, H, K, and L), offering a wide range of dining and shopping options. Terminal 1 caters to United Airlines, Lufthansa, and All Nippon Airways, while Terminal 2 serves Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, and Southern Airways Express. Terminal 3 is used by American Airlines, Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Japan Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. Terminal 5 hosts Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and international airlines that do not depart from the other terminals.

The airport can be accessed via the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line, which takes about 45 minutes to reach the Loop in downtown Chicago, and the Metra commuter train service. Regional and airport shuttle buses, taxis, and ridesharing services are also available. Parking rates at the airport start at $15 per day.

O'Hare has a variety of restaurants, including Tortas Fronteras by Rick Bayless, Berghoff Cafe, and Wicker Park Sushi & Seafood Bar. For shopping, passengers can visit unique stores like the Field Museum store and Hoypoloi An Uncommon Gallery. The airport also features lounges such as United Clubs, American Airlines Admirals Clubs, and the British Airways First Lounge.

If you have a long layover, you can visit the indoor hydroponic garden between Terminals 2 and 3 or purchase a $15 guest pass to the health club at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare, which includes access to a pool, hot tub, steam room, sauna, and gym.

Chicago Midway International Airport

Chicago is served by two major airports: O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. This article will focus on Chicago Midway International Airport.

Location and Transport Options

Airlines, Destinations, and Terminals

Midway International Airport has one terminal with three concourses (A, B, and C) and 43 gates. The airport primarily services domestic destinations, with flights to over 70 U.S. cities. It also offers flights to more than 10 international destinations in Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Southwest Airlines is the dominant carrier at Midway, with other airlines including Allegiant, Delta, Porter, and Volaris.

Dining and Shopping Options

Midway International Airport offers various dining options, such as Billy Goat Tavern, Arami, and BIG & little's. For shopping, passengers can visit iconic stores like FAO Schwarz and MAC Cosmetics, or unique options like the Build-a-Bear Workshop vending machine.

History and Trivia

Established in 1927, Midway International Airport served as Chicago's primary airport until the opening of O'Hare International Airport in 1944. The airport is named after the Battle of Midway in World War II and features a small exhibit commemorating this event. Additionally, a SBD Dauntless bomber plane is suspended from the ceiling in Concourse A. Midway is one of the busiest airports in the nation and the second busiest in the Chicago area, serving over 19 million passengers annually.

Chicago DuPage County Airport

Chicago is served by three international airports: O'Hare, Midway, and Gary/Chicago. However, there is also a general aviation airport located 29 miles west of downtown Chicago, called the DuPage Airport.

DuPage Airport is a premier business aviation facility and is the destination for corporate and private aviation needs. It is the only airport of its kind in Illinois with four active runways, two ILS approaches, and a 1 million square foot apron. The airport's primary runway is the second longest in the Chicago area, at 7,571 feet long and 150 feet wide, and is capable of accommodating corporate aircraft, including the Boeing Business Jet.

DuPage Airport offers a superior airfield and first-class Flight Center, as well as a championship golf course rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by Golf Digest. The airport also has a high-technology business park, making it more than just an airport.

The airport is located just an hour from the heart of Chicago and is easily accessible from the western Chicago area's major commercial centers. It is owned and operated by the DuPage Airport Authority, an independent government body established by the state of Illinois.

DuPage Airport has a rich history, dating back to 1927 when two Chicago entrepreneurs purchased the land and began barnstorming, using the field as a grass strip. The airport was then requisitioned by the U.S. Navy in 1941, who built brick hangars and paved two runways for training pilots during World War II. After the war, the Navy sold the airport to DuPage County for $1, and it has since undergone significant expansion and development to become one of the busiest airports in Illinois.

The airport offers a range of services and facilities for transient crews and passengers, including a passenger terminal, lounges, snooze rooms, showers, and an exercise room. There is also a flight school offering flight training, aircraft rental, aerial tours, and aircraft maintenance and management.

DuPage Airport is a convenient and well-equipped facility for corporate and private aviation, with a range of amenities and a central location, making it a great choice for those looking for an alternative to the busy commercial airports in Chicago.

PalWaukee Airport

Chicago is home to several airports, including two major international airports: O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. However, there is also a third international airport, Gary/Chicago International Airport, located about 25 miles from downtown Chicago. Additionally, Chicago has another airport called PalWaukee Airport, also known as Chicago Executive Airport.

In addition to its economic significance, PalWaukee Airport has a rich history in aviation. Notably, Sally Strempel, a female aviation pioneer, operated a flight school at the airport from 1950 to 1966. Strempel was a member of the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame and was designated as one of the first female flight instructors by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Chicago Rockford International Airport

RFD is one of the fastest-growing cargo airports in the world, specialising in cargo operations. It processed over 3.4 billion pounds (1.5 million tonnes) of cargo and is ranked as the 14th busiest cargo airport in the United States. The airport serves as a major hub for UPS Airlines and is also served by Amazon Air, attracting cargo flights from Germany and China.

The history of the airport dates back to 1946 when it was established on the grounds of the former Camp Grant facility, which served as a significant training centre for the U.S. Army during both World Wars. In the 1980s and 1990s, the airport offered passenger service to O'Hare Airport, but bus services and driving to Chicago were often preferred by passengers. After a brief hiatus in passenger service between 2001 and 2003, the airport repositioned itself as an alternative for leisure travellers, offering low-cost flights to Florida.

Today, RFD offers flights to various destinations, including Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Ft. Myers, and Tampa Bay. The airport is committed to providing a seamless and accessible travel experience for all its passengers.

Frequently asked questions