Chicago's Airports: A Comprehensive Guide To Illinois' Aviation Hub

Chicago, Illinois is served by two major airports: Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport. O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the country, with four terminals and dozens of airlines operating international and domestic flights. Midway is less busy, with around 220 flights each day, mostly domestic, and three concourses with a variety of shopping and dining options. There is also a third, smaller international airport, Gary/Chicago International Airport, which is about 25 miles from downtown Chicago.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

O'Hare International Airport offers non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the globe, including North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and the North Atlantic region. As of 2024, it is the most connected airport in the United States and the fifth most connected airport worldwide. In addition to its extensive route network, O'Hare is a hub for several major airlines, including American Airlines and United Airlines, the latter of which has its headquarters in Willis Tower. The airport also serves as an operating base for Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines.

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. Known then as Orchard Place, the site was initially a small German-American farming community. The plant covered 2 million square feet (190,000 m2) and played a crucial role in aircraft production, with 655 C-54s built on-site. The airfield, known as Douglas Airport, featured four 5,500-foot (1,700 m) runways.

Over time, O'Hare expanded significantly. In 1955, scheduled passenger service commenced, and by 1959, the airport had grown to encompass 7,200 acres (2,900 ha) with enhanced facilities, including new hangars, terminals, and parking. O'Hare's first international terminal opened in August 1958, marking a pivotal moment in its transformation into a major aviation hub. In 1962, the airport witnessed the relocation of the last fixed-wing scheduled airline flight from Midway to O'Hare, solidifying its position as a key player in Chicago's aviation landscape.

Chicago Midway Airport

Chicago is served by two international airports: O'Hare and Chicago Midway Airport. A third airport, Gary/Chicago International Airport, is also around 25 miles from downtown Chicago. This article will focus on Chicago Midway Airport.

History

Location and Transport

Located on the south side of Chicago, Midway Airport is bounded by 55th and 63rd Streets, Central and Cicero Avenues. The CTA rapid transit Orange Line provides transit to Downtown Chicago, connecting with other subway and elevated rapid transit lines. The airport is also accessible by car, with parking available for $15 per day.

Facilities

Midway Airport has a single terminal with three concourses and 43 gates, including facilities for international passengers. The terminal complex was completed in 2001 and bridges Cicero Avenue. While there are plenty of places to buy snacks or a sandwich, Midway has a more limited selection of shops compared to other airports.

Gary/Chicago International Airport

Chicago is served by two international airports: Chicago O'Hare Airport and Chicago Midway Airport. However, there is a third international airport located about 25 miles from downtown Chicago, called Gary/Chicago International Airport (GCIA). This airport is situated in Gary, Lake County, Indiana, around three miles northwest of Gary's city centre and 25 miles southeast of the Chicago Loop. It is operated by the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority, which was established through an interstate compact between Gary, Chicago, and Indiana.

GCIA is a full-service airport, catering to general aviation, corporate, commercial, and cargo users. It boasts a primary runway that is nearly 9,000 feet long, enabling it to accommodate aircraft of various sizes. The airport covers 763 acres of land and sits at an elevation of 597 feet above mean sea level. It features two asphalt runways: 12/30, which spans 8,859 feet by 150 feet, and 2/20, which is 3,604 feet by 100 feet. As of 2022, 114 aircraft were based at GCIA, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, helicopter, and military aircraft.

The airport has a strategic location near Lake Michigan and offers convenient access to Chicago, while being away from the busier larger airports. It provides easy connections to nearby highways, including I-90, I-80, I-94, I-65, and the Chicago Skyway. GCIA has also been proposed to become Chicago's third major airport, with expansion plans envisioning a new multi-level intermodal terminal integrating passenger rail, vehicles, and air travel.

Historically, Gary/Chicago International Airport has been served by various airlines, including Pan Am, Southeast Airlines, SkyValue Airlines, Skybus Airlines, and Hooters Air. These airlines offered flights to destinations such as Hartford, Connecticut, St. Petersburg, Florida, and Greensboro, North Carolina. The airport has also experienced periods without scheduled passenger flights, relying instead on charter flights for casino guests to destinations like Atlantic City and Beau Rivage.

Transport to Chicago O'Hare Airport

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of three airports located in Chicago, Illinois. The other two are Chicago Midway Airport and Gary/Chicago International Airport. If your destination in Chicago is on the north side of the city, it is recommended that you fly into Chicago O'Hare Airport. This airport can be reached via the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line, which will take you through the Logan Square area and to the Loop in about 45 minutes. The CTA Blue Line can be accessed directly from the airport. The Metra commuter train service is also available at the airport and can take you to Chicago's suburbs. Additionally, regional and airport shuttle buses serve O'Hare Airport. If you choose to drive to the airport, parking is available at a rate of $15 per day.

Chicago Midway Airport is located on the south side of Chicago. This airport is a better choice if your destination is anywhere south of the Loop. Midway Airport offers a smoother and easier flying experience compared to O'Hare, with shorter wait times for security and easier navigation. While Midway lacks a wide range of shops, there are still plenty of places to grab snacks or a sandwich.

Gary/Chicago International Airport is the third airport serving Chicago, and it is located about 25 miles from downtown Chicago. This airport serves general aviation, corporate, commercial, and cargo users.

Overall, when travelling to Chicago, your choice of airport will depend on your final destination in the city and your preferred mode of transportation. Chicago O'Hare Airport is convenient for destinations on the north side, while Midway Airport is better for places south of the Loop. Both airports offer different advantages in terms of transportation options, wait times, and amenities.

Chicago O'Hare Airport's history

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD) is one of the busiest airports in the United States and the world. It is located on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois, approximately 17 miles (27 km) from the Loop business district. The airport covers 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) and has eight runways. O'Hare Airport is a major hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, with Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines also operating bases there.

The history of Chicago O'Hare Airport can be traced back to World War II. The site was originally known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community. During the war, a 2 million-square-foot manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters (a derivative of the Douglas DC-3) was built in the northeast corner of what is now the airport. The plant produced 655 C-54s, more than half of all those manufactured. Aircraft flew out of an airfield known as Douglas Airport, which initially had four 5,500-foot (1,700 m) runways.

In 1944, the City of Chicago realised that more airport capacity would be needed and began developing a new airport at Orchard Place. The airport opened in February 1944, but it was not until 1949 that it was renamed O'Hare Airport, in honour of Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a US Navy pilot and the first recipient of the Medal of Honor in World War II. Passenger services began in 1955, but growth was slow, with airlines reluctant to move from Midway Airport. However, with the introduction of the jet age, this began to change. O'Hare's first international terminal opened in 1958, and by 1959, the airport had expanded to 7,200 acres with new hangars, terminals, parking, and other facilities.

By 1963, O'Hare Airport had surpassed Midway Airport in terms of scheduled flights and became the world's busiest airport, a distinction it held until 1998. The airport continued to expand, with new runways, terminals, and other infrastructure being added over the years. Today, O'Hare Airport is one of the busiest and most connected airports in the world, serving millions of passengers and offering non-stop flights to over 200 destinations worldwide.

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