Ruth Haines
Chicago is home to three international airports: O'Hare International Airport, Midway Airport, and Gary/Chicago International Airport. O'Hare International Airport is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States, located on the city's northwest side. The airport is about 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. The airport code for Chicago O'Hare International Airport is ORD. This airport code is derived from Orchard Place, the site's original name when it was an aircraft factory during World War II.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | O'Hare International Airport |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Airport Code | ORD |
| Operator | Chicago Department of Aviation |
| Area | 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) |
| Number of Destinations | 249 |
| Ranking | 4th busiest airport in the world |
| Previous Name | Orchard Field |
| Year of Name Change | 1949 |
| Named After | Local war hero Edward "Butch" O'Hare |
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What You'll Learn
Chicago O'Hare International Airport's abbreviation is ORD
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. It is located on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois, approximately 17 miles (27 km) from the Loop business district. The airport is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation and covers an area of 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2). O'Hare has non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the world and is considered the most connected airport in the US as of 2024.
O'Hare International Airport's abbreviation is ORD. This is a three-letter code, also known as an IATA code, that is used to identify the airport. The abbreviation is based on the airport's original name, Orchard Place, which was previously a small German-American farming community. The site was first used as an aircraft factory during World War II and was known as Orchard Place or Orchard Field.
The airport's current name comes from Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a local war hero. The name change occurred in 1949, but the ORD designation was retained as a reminder of the airport's history.
O'Hare International Airport is known for its size and busy schedule. It has five terminals and offers a wide range of domestic and international flights. The airport also features a sprawling food court and a variety of shops. Accessing the airport is convenient, with the CTA Blue Line, Metra commuter train service, and regional and airport shuttle buses providing connections to the city.
In summary, Chicago O'Hare International Airport's abbreviation, ORD, is a reminder of the airport's history as Orchard Place or Orchard Field. The airport has since been renamed to honour Edward "Butch" O'Hare, but the three-letter code remains a standard identifier for the busy international airport.
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ORD is one of the world's busiest airports
Chicago's airport abbreviation is ORD, which stands for O'Hare International Airport. O'Hare International Airport is located on the city's northwest side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. The airport is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation and covers 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2).
O'Hare International Airport is one of the world's busiest airports. As of 2024, it is the fourth busiest airport in the world and the fifth most connected airport in the world. 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. In 2019, O'Hare had 919,704 aircraft movements, averaging 2,520 per day, the most of any airport in the world. This high number of movements can be attributed in part to the large number of regional flights. O'Hare is a hub for major airlines such as American Airlines and United Airlines, as well as an operating base for Frontier and Spirit Airlines.
The history of O'Hare International Airport contributes to its status as one of the world's busiest airports. During World War II, the site was used as a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters, known as Orchard Place. The airfield, then known as Douglas Airport, had four 5,500-foot (1,700 m) runways. The United States Air Force utilized the airfield extensively during the Korean War, and it served as a fighter base for the 62nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron from 1950 to 1959. As commercial business picked up, the Air Force transferred control of the airfield, and it became a full-fledged commercial airport.
O'Hare International Airport has maintained its ranking as one of the world's busiest airports despite various challenges and economic uncertainties. In 2024, the airport served about 80 million passengers, an 8.3% increase from 2023. This growth positions O'Hare for continued success and reinforces its role as a vital hub for trade, commerce, and connectivity.
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O'Hare has 5 terminals
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known by the airport codes ORD, KORD and LID: ORD, is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois. O'Hare has 5 terminals, with Terminal 5 being the main international terminal where most international airline ticket desks are based. However, it's worth noting that some international flights depart from other terminals, and they only arrive at Terminal 5. Terminal 5 serves some domestic flights, and the other terminals also serve some international flights.
Terminal 5 is ORD's largest terminal, with 36 gates, and it is set to expand further with 10 new gates and two additional gates to accommodate an Airbus A380. The terminal features Concourse M, which has gates numbered M1 to M11, M13 to M20, M20A, M21, M24 to M30, and M32 to M40. Terminal 1, or T1, consists of Concourses B and C, with a total of 52 or 54 gates depending on the source. Concourse B is attached to the main terminal, and Concourse C is a satellite terminal connected by an underground pedestrian walkway.
Terminal 2 is also undergoing expansion, with plans to replace it with a new terminal to accommodate both domestic and international flights. This new terminal is called the O'Hare Global Terminal (OGT), which will allow for expansion for American's and United's international operations and easy interchange with their respective partner carriers. The OGT is designed by Studio ORD, led by architect Jeanne Gang, and is scheduled for completion in 2030.
The original site of O'Hare International Airport was known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community. During World War II, the site was used as a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters, and the airfield was known as Douglas Airport. The airport has since expanded and become one of the busiest in the world, offering a wide range of services and connections to destinations worldwide.
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O'Hare is located 17 miles northwest of the Loop business district
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, with the airport code ORD, is located approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. The airport covers 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) and is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation. O'Hare is easily accessible by road, with Interstate 190 (the Kennedy Expressway) going directly into the airport. The airport can also be reached via the Chicago "L", bus, taxi, or subway.
O'Hare has a rich history, beginning as a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during World War II. The site was originally known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community. The airport was established to meet the future demand for air travel in Chicago, with the city realising that more capacity would be needed in addition to the Chicago Municipal Airport. The military retained a small presence on the site, with the right to use 25% of the airfield's operating capacity for free.
O'Hare has since become one of the busiest airports in the world, with non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the globe. It is considered the most connected airport in the US and ranks as the 5th most connected airport worldwide. O'Hare also boasts an impressive array of airlines that use the airport as a hub or base, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.
The distance between O'Hare and the Loop business district is approximately 17 miles, with a driving distance of around 17.8 to 18 miles. The fastest way to travel between the two locations is by taxi, which takes around 22 minutes and costs $55 to $70. However, there are also cheaper and slightly slower alternatives, such as the subway, which takes approximately 40 minutes and costs $2 to $5.
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Chicago's other airport, Midway, is smaller and offers a smoother experience
Chicago's primary international airport is O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD). However, Chicago's other airport, Midway International Airport (IATA: MDW, ICAO: KMDW, FAA LID: MDW), offers a different experience for travellers. Midway is a major commercial airport located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois, approximately 12 miles (19 km) from the city's Loop business district. While it is one of the busiest airports in the nation, serving 22,050,489 passengers in 2023, Midway provides a smoother experience compared to O'Hare due to its smaller size and more intimate setting.
Midway Airport has a rich history, dating back to 1923 when it was built on a 320-acre plot with a single cinder runway primarily for airmail flights. It was originally named Chicago Air Park and later became known as Chicago Municipal Airport in 1927. The airport expanded over the years, adding more hangars and runways, and even claimed the title of "'World's Busiest'" in 1928 with over 100,846 passengers on 60,947 flights. Today, Midway is a base for Southwest Airlines, which carries over 90% of the airport's passengers.
One of the key advantages of flying into or out of Midway Airport is its convenient location. The airport is surrounded by buildings on all sides, providing easy access to the city and its amenities. The Orange Line, a rapid transit line, connects Midway to the Loop, offering a 20-minute ride to Roosevelt Station. From there, passengers can easily transfer to other forms of transportation, such as taxis or buses, to reach their final destination.
In contrast to O'Hare's vast expanse and busy atmosphere, Midway's smaller size can make it a more comfortable and efficient option for travellers. Its compact layout can make it easier to navigate, with shorter distances between gates and a less crowded environment. This can be especially beneficial for those with reduced mobility or travellers with young children. Additionally, Midway's smaller size may result in shorter security lines and faster check-in processes, further enhancing the overall smoother experience it offers.
While Midway may have shorter runways that cannot accommodate larger four-engine jetliners, it is still capable of handling a significant volume of traffic. The airport has undergone various renovations and expansions over the years to improve its facilities and enhance the passenger experience. Despite being the second-busiest airport in the Chicago metropolitan area, Midway's efficient design and management contribute to a smoother and more relaxed travel experience for its patrons.
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Frequently asked questions
The abbreviation for Chicago's O'Hare International Airport is ORD.
The airport was previously known as Orchard Place, an aircraft factory, and thus the designation "ORD" for Orchard.
The abbreviation for Chicago Midway Airport is MDW.
The key difference between the two airports is size. O'Hare is Chicago's busiest airport, with five terminals, while Midway has a single terminal and three concourses. O'Hare offers a wider range of domestic and international flights and has a larger food court and shopping options. Midway offers shorter security wait times and is easier to navigate.
