Exploring The Perimeter: Midway Airport's Mileage Mystery

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is a major commercial airport located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. Covering just over one square mile, it is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving over 22 million passengers annually. The distance around Midway Airport is approximately 4.55 miles, with the airport situated about 11-12 miles from downtown Chicago. Known for its convenient transportation links, MDW offers easy access to and from the city via bus and train services, including the Chicago Transit Authority's Orange Line.

The airport is 12 miles from Chicago's Loop business district

Chicago Midway International Airport is conveniently located just 12 miles from Chicago's Loop business district. This proximity to the city centre makes it an ideal airport for business travellers, offering easy access to and from the office. With a simple hop on the Orange Line train from downtown, travellers can reach the airport in no time, avoiding the hassle of lengthy transfers.

Midway Airport is a significant transportation hub, serving over 22 million travellers annually. As Chicago's second-largest airport, it boasts a range of modern amenities, including diverse dining options, upscale shopping, and convenient parking. The airport is also notable for its compact size, covering just over one square mile, giving travellers a more manageable experience compared to larger airports.

The airport's history dates back to 1927, when it was established as Chicago's primary airport. However, with the opening of O'Hare International Airport in 1944, Midway's role shifted. Today, it is a base for Southwest Airlines, which operates the majority of the airport's flights, carrying over 90% of its passengers.

The airport's location provides a strategic advantage for travellers, with a direct train connection to the city centre and easy access to nearby attractions. For those seeking accommodation, there are several hotels nearby, offering a range of options to suit different preferences and budgets.

In addition to its convenient location, Midway Airport offers a tranquil chapel, a yoga room, and a mother's room for nursing mothers. These features enhance the overall travel experience, providing travellers with spaces for relaxation and reflection.

It's one of the busiest airports in the US

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is located around 11-12 miles from downtown Chicago. It is one of the busiest airports in the US, serving over 22 million passengers in 2023. It is the second-busiest airport in the Chicago metropolitan area and the state of Illinois.

MDW is a hub for Southwest Airlines, which operates 229 daily flights from the airport, more than any other US airport that Southwest flies from. The airline carries over 90% of the airport's passengers. MDW also serves as a base for other major airlines, including Delta, Volaris, and Porter.

The airport has a range of amenities, including dining options, shopping, and convenient parking. It has one terminal with three concourses, all of which are interlinked, so passengers do not need to take transportation or re-clear security between connections. MDW also has two lounges, The Club MDW and the USO Lounge.

MDW is accessible via the Chicago Transit Authority's "L" train or "Orange" Line, which has multiple stations throughout the city. The airport is also served by several bus routes and shuttle services.

The City of Chicago has undertaken various initiatives to enhance the airport experience, including the Midway Modernization Program, which included expanding the security checkpoint, enhancing the terminal garage, and redeveloping concessions.

It's named after the Battle of Midway

Midway Airport is named after the Battle of Midway, a pivotal conflict in the Pacific theatre of World War II. The battle was fought in June 1942 and marked a turning point in the war, as the United States was able to win a decisive victory and inflict heavy damage on the Japanese Navy.

Many of the men who fought in the battle had ties to Chicago. During World War II, a naval training base called Naval Station Great Lakes, located on Lake Michigan, trained men to fly off aircraft carriers. Many of the men trained at this base went on to fight at the Battle of Midway.

The battle was won against long odds, as the Japanese fleet was superior at the time. However, three key factors contributed to the American victory. Firstly, a group of dedicated cryptanalysts in Hawaii managed to crack the Japanese military code, allowing the US to anticipate and surprise the Japanese attack. Secondly, Admiral Chester Nimitz devised a brilliant strategy that allowed the US forces to overcome their numerical disadvantage. Finally, the US pilots and crewmembers fought with exceptional courage and valour.

As a result of these factors, the US was able to sink four Japanese aircraft carriers while only losing one of their own. The Japanese fleet was forced to retreat to Japan and did not launch another offensive for the next three years of the war.

The Battle of Midway was a significant moment in the history of World War II, and it is fitting that Chicago chose to honour the sacrifices of its troops by naming their airport after this important battle.

It's located on a square mile bounded by 55th and 63rd Streets, and Central and Cicero Avenues

Midway International Airport is located on a square mile of land in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The airport is bounded by 55th Street to the north, 63rd Street to the south, Central Avenue to the west, and Cicero Avenue to the east. The area is well served by road, with the I-55 interstate linking the airport to the city centre, and other nearby roads including West 55th Street, South Cicero Avenue, West 63rd Street, and South Central Avenue.

The airport is located approximately 12 miles (19 km) from Chicago's Loop business district and is divided between the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities. Midway is conveniently placed for travellers, with a CTA rapid transit Orange Line providing transit to Downtown Chicago, where it connects with other subway and elevated rapid transit lines.

The airport covers just over one square mile (650 acres or 260 hectares) and has four active runways. The longest runway, 13C/31C, is 6,522 ft x 150 ft (1,988 m x 46 m) and is used by large commercial aircraft. The other runways cater to smaller aircraft, with general aviation and air taxi services operating from the 4L/22R runway, and a separate light aircraft runway, 13R/31L, which is 3,859 ft x 60 ft (1,176 m x 18 m).

The terminal complex at Midway International Airport was completed in 2001 and features a bridge over Cicero Avenue, connecting the terminal to the concourses. The terminal has 43 gates with facilities for international passengers and a spacious food court offering Chicago-style food and retail options.

It's served by the CTA rapid transit Orange Line

Chicago Midway International Airport is served by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) rapid transit Orange Line. The Orange Line is an elevated rapid transit line that runs for approximately 13 miles from the Loop to Midway International Airport. The line begins in an open cut at a station on the east side of the airport, rising to an elevated viaduct at 55th Street and continuing northeast towards the city.

The Orange Line operates during the week from 3:30 a.m. to 1:25 a.m., on Saturdays from 4 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., and on Sundays from 4:30 a.m. to 1:25 a.m. On weekdays, the line sees an average of 16,979 riders boarding Orange Line trains. The line has seven stations along its main route, with an eighth station located at Roosevelt/Wabash on the South Side Elevated, shared with Green Line trains.

The Orange Line provides a convenient connection to Downtown Chicago, where passengers can connect with other subway and elevated rapid transit lines. The line offers a fast and efficient way to travel to and from the airport, with trains operating at intervals of around 8 minutes.

The Orange Line has a long history, with its planning dating back to the late 1930s when the City of Chicago proposed a high-speed subway extension to serve the airport, then called Chicago Municipal Airport. The current line opened for service on October 31, 1993, and was the first all-new service in Chicago in over two decades. The opening of the Orange Line also led to the adoption of a colour-coded naming system for the rapid transit network.

The line has undergone various enhancements and improvements over the years, including security checkpoint expansions, terminal garage enhancements, and concessions redevelopment. The Midway Modernization Program, initiated by the City of Chicago, is a recent initiative to enhance the airport experience and accommodate future passenger growth.

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