Roberta Aguirre
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the world's busiest airports, ranking 4th in 2022. It covers 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) and has four terminals with several gates and concourses. The airport is located on the Northwest Side, approximately 14-20 miles from the Loop business district in downtown Chicago. O'Hare is so big that, according to some sources, you can fit Vatican City inside it 26 times.
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What You'll Learn
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the fourth-busiest airport in the world
- The airport covers 7,627 acres, or 11.92 square miles
- O'Hare has four terminals, with a fifth under construction
- The airport was originally a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during World War II
- O'Hare is a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the fourth-busiest airport in the world
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a massive aviation hub, covering 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) and featuring four terminals. It is located on the Northwest Side of Chicago, approximately 17 miles (27 km) from the Loop business district in the city's downtown area. The airport is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation, which also owns and operates Midway International Airport, Chicago's other primary airport.
O'Hare is the fourth-busiest airport in the world, serving 68.3 million passengers in 2022, according to preliminary global air traffic figures. It is also the most connected airport in the United States and the fifth-most connected airport worldwide. As of 2024, O'Hare 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's history dates back to World War II when it served as a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters and a fighter base for the United States Air Force during the Korean War. In the 1950s, Chicago invested heavily in O'Hare to establish it as the primary airport, and by 1962, all fixed-wing scheduled airline flights had moved from Midway to O'Hare. O'Hare became the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998 and continues to be one of the busiest airports globally.
O'Hare has undergone significant expansions and improvements over the years, including the addition of new terminals, hangars, parking facilities, and access roads. The airport is easily accessible by road, with the Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 190) providing a direct link. On the ground, travellers can use the airport shuttle, bus, the Chicago "L", or taxis to get to and from the airport.
O'Hare is a major hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, offering a multitude of services and amenities throughout its terminals. The airport boasts top-class restaurants, snack bars, shopping areas, and an impressive Airport Public Art Program featuring exhibits, murals, paintings, and sculptures. For travellers seeking exercise between flights, the O'Hare Hilton Health Club, located across from Terminals 1, 2, and 3, offers cardiovascular machines, weight equipment, a lap pool, and a steam room.
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The airport covers 7,627 acres, or 11.92 square miles
Chicago O'Hare International Airport covers an area of 7,627 acres, or 11.92 square miles. To put that into perspective, Vatican City could fit inside it 26 times. In fact, according to one source, O'Hare could fit nearly 63 Vatican Cities.
O'Hare Airport is huge, with four terminals and several concourses. Terminal 1, or T1, consists of concourses B and C, with 54 gates in total. Both concourses have shops, restaurants, and a United Club. Concourse C also has a United Polaris Lounge. Terminal 2, which opened in 1962, is the airport's oldest and has been renovated several times. Terminal 3, used by United Airlines for domestic flights, comprises boarding areas E and F with 39 gates in total. The International Terminal, Terminal 5, is a short distance from the other terminals and is accessible via shuttle services and the Airport Transit System.
The airport is located on the northwest side of Chicago, approximately 14 to 20 miles from the Loop business district in downtown Chicago. It is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation and is considered the most connected airport in the US, and the 5th most connected airport in the world. O'Hare offers roughly 568 daily non-stop flights to 154 US cities and 45 daily non-stop flights to international destinations in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
O'Hare Airport first opened in 1942 as a factory for planes during World War II. The site was originally known as Orchard Place, which was previously a small German-American farming community. The airport expanded to 7,200 acres in 1959, and today covers 7,627 acres.
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O'Hare has four terminals, with a fifth under construction
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the world's busiest airports, with a vast expanse of 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2). O'Hare has four terminals, with a fifth under construction, and each terminal has multiple concourses, gates, and boarding areas.
The four existing terminals at O'Hare are numbered 1 through 4, with Terminal 1 previously known as the South Terminal. Terminal 1 features boarding areas B and C, with a total of 34 gates. This terminal is particularly popular for families travelling with young children, as it offers dining options such as the Berghoff Cafe and Chili's Too, as well as attractions like a Brachiosaurus skeleton model and a colourful light display. Terminal 2, the oldest terminal at O'Hare, has been renovated multiple times to enhance its facilities. Terminal 3 is primarily used by United Airlines for domestic flight operations and consists of boarding areas E and F, with a total of 39 gates.
The International Terminal, the fifth terminal currently under construction, was opened in 2000 and was once named the biggest international airport terminal in North America, covering 167,226m2 (41.3 acres). This terminal was a pioneer in accommodating the Airbus A380 double-decker aircraft. The ongoing O'Hare 21 project, with an investment of $8.5 billion, aims to boost the airport's capacity by up to 60% by adding two new satellite concourses.
O'Hare International Airport offers a diverse range of services and amenities across its terminals, including top-class restaurants, snack bars, rest areas, and unlimited free Wi-Fi access. The airport also boasts an impressive Airport Public Art Program, showcasing exhibits, murals, paintings, and sculptures throughout the terminals.
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The airport was originally a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during World War II
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. It is located on the Northwest Side of Chicago, approximately 14-17 miles from the Loop business district in downtown Chicago. The airport is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation and covers 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2).
The Douglas C-54 Skymaster was a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and the Korean War. The aircraft was derived from a civilian airliner, the Douglas DC-4, and was used for various non-combat roles such as air-sea rescue, scientific and military research, and missile tracking and recovery. It also played a crucial role in the Berlin Airlift, hauling coal and food supplies to West Berlin.
During World War II, the War Department took over the provision orders for the Douglas DC-4 and allocated them to the Army Air Forces with the designation C-54 Skymaster. The first C-54 Skymaster flew from Clover Field in Santa Monica, California, in February 1942. The aircraft underwent several modifications to meet military requirements, including additional fuel tanks, a stronger floor, and a cargo door with a hoist and winch.
The manufacturing plant at Orchard Place played a significant role in producing the C-54 Skymasters. The plant had four concrete runways and was said to be the largest timber construction in the world. A total of 655 C-54s were built at the plant, which was more than half of the total production. The airfield, from which the C-54s flew out, was known as Douglas Airport.
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O'Hare is a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. Located on the city's northwest side, it is approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. O'Hare is a massive airport, covering 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2). It is one of the busiest airports in the world, with 919,704 aircraft movements in 2019, averaging 2,520 per day. The airport offers 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, O'Hare is the most connected airport in the US and the fifth-most globally.
O'Hare is a significant hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, with United Airlines having its headquarters in Willis Tower. The airport has four terminals, including the International Terminal, which is the biggest in North America, spanning 167,226m2 (41.3 acres). Terminal 2, the oldest, has been renovated multiple times, while Terminal 3 is used by United Airlines for domestic flights. The airport also has an impressive Airport Public Art Program, with exhibits, murals, paintings, and sculptures dotted throughout.
The history of O'Hare International Airport dates back to World War II when it served as a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters. The site was initially known as Orchard Place and was previously a small German-American farming community. The airfield, known as Douglas Airport, had four 5,500-foot (1,700 m) runways. During the Korean War, the United States Air Force used the airfield extensively, and it served as a fighter base for the 62nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron.
In the 1950s, improvements were made to attract airlines, including the opening of O'Hare's first international terminal in 1958. The introduction of jet airliners, such as the American 707, was a significant factor in driving airlines to relocate from Midway to O'Hare. O'Hare became famous during the jet age, holding the distinction as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. The dominant hubs established by United and American Airlines during this time continue to operate today.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Chicago O'Hare Airport is big. It covers 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2 or 30.86 km²) and you can fit 26 Vatican Cities inside it.
Chicago O'Hare Airport has 4 terminals. Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 are for domestic and some international flights. Terminal 5 is for international flights.
Terminal 1 has 54 gates. Terminal 3 has 39 gates. This means that at least 93 gates are present across the airport.
You can use a taxi, ride-sharing service, or the bus to get to the airport. The Blue Line CTA train is the most economical and fastest way, taking approximately 30-60 minutes.
Chicago O'Hare Airport is the fourth busiest airport in the world. In 2022, it served 68.3 million passengers.
