Roberta Aguirre
Chicago Midway International Airport is a major commercial airport located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1927, it served as Chicago's primary airport until 1944 when O'Hare International Airport opened. Midway is one of the busiest airports in the nation, serving over 22 million passengers in 2023. The airport has undergone several development projects over the years, including the addition of a parking garage, a pedestrian bridge, and the expansion of its terminal building. The airport covers just over one square mile and has four active runways, with the longest being 13C/31C, which is just under 2,000 metres long.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Southwest side of Chicago, Illinois |
| Distance from Chicago Loop | 12 miles |
| Communities | Clearing and Garfield Ridge |
| Year Established | 1927 |
| Status | Second-busiest airport in Chicago and Illinois |
| Passengers Served (2023) | 22,050,489 |
| Primary Airline | Southwest Airlines |
| Number of Aircraft Gates | 43 |
| Number of Concourses | 3 (Concourse A, B, and C) |
| Concourse A Gates | 17 |
| Concourse B Gates | 23 |
| Concourse C Gates | 3 |
| Runway Status | 4 active runways |
| Longest Runway | 13C/31C: 6,522 ft x 150 ft |
| Largest Aircraft | Boeing 757 |
| Public Transport Connection | Orange Line to city center |
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What You'll Learn
Chicago Midway International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the US
Chicago Midway International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States. Established in 1927, Midway served as Chicago's primary airport until O'Hare International Airport opened in 1944. Despite this, Midway remains a major commercial airport, located just 12 miles from Chicago's Loop business district.
In 2023, the airport served 22,050,489 passengers, making it the second busiest airport in the Chicago metropolitan area and the state of Illinois. Southwest Airlines, which uses Midway as a base, carries over 90% of the airport's passengers. The airline's presence at the airport is so significant that it gave its name to the now-defunct Midway Airlines, which was once headquartered there.
The airport covers just over one square mile and has four active runways, with the longest being 13C/31C at 6,522 feet in length. The largest aircraft typically seen at Midway is the Boeing 757, with commercial planes usually taking off and landing on runways 4R/22L and 13C/31C. The other runways are used by smaller aircraft and are restricted from use by large commercial planes, except in emergencies.
Chicago Midway International Airport has undergone several development projects to improve its infrastructure. In 1996, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced the Midway Airport Terminal Development Program, which included the construction of a parking garage and a pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue. In 2001, a new 900,000-square-foot terminal building opened, offering larger ticket counters and more spacious baggage claim areas. The airport also has a redeveloped central food court and new concession options, with a food court in Concourse A utilising previously unused space.
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Southwest Airlines carries over 90% of Midway's passengers
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is a major commercial airport located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1927, it served as Chicago's primary airport until 1944 when O'Hare International Airport opened. Midway is one of the busiest airports in the nation and the second-busiest airport in both the Chicago metropolitan area and Illinois state. The airport served 22,050,489 passengers in 2023.
Midway is a base for Southwest Airlines, which carries over 90% of the airport's passengers. Southwest Airlines has been operating at Midway since 1985. The airline has experienced several incidents at the airport, including a near collision with a private jet in February 2025 due to sun blindness and a runway excursion in December 2005 during a heavy snowstorm.
The airport has undergone significant development over the years, including the construction of a parking garage, a pedestrian bridge, and a new terminal building. The Midway Airport Terminal Development Program, launched in 1997, was the largest public works project in the state at the time. The airport covers just over one square mile and has four active runways, with the longest being 13C/31C.
Midway has a total of 43 aircraft gates across three concourses. Concourse A has 17 gates, Concourse B has 23 gates, and Concourse C has 3 gates. The airport is connected to the city centre by the Orange Line, with a travel time of approximately 30 minutes.
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The airport is named after the Battle of Midway
The Chicago Aero Commission's proposal was well-received, as "Midway" accurately described the city's position at the hub of the nation's airways. The name also carried historical weight, commemorating the Battle of Midway, which was seen as a pivotal moment in the war against Japan. This battle was so significant that it was described as "unquestionably the decisive battle in the war against Japan and therefore one of the decisive battles in world history."
The Chicago Midway Airport name was officially adopted, and the airport became known as Chicago Midway International Airport (IATA: MDW, ICAO: KMDW, FAA LID: MDW). This airport is a major commercial airport located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. It is approximately 12 miles (19 km) from the city's Loop business district and is divided between the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities.
The proposal to rename the airport was not without its considerations. The city council aviation committee discussed the proposal and indicated that Chicago Airport at 55th Street and Cicero Avenue would be renamed Chicago Midway Airport. An informal poll showed that a majority of committee members favoured the change.
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The largest aircraft seen at Midway is the Boeing 757
Chicago Midway International Airport, established in 1927, is located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving over 22 million passengers in 2023. The airport is surrounded by buildings and covers just over one square mile, earning it the affectionate nickname "postage stamp" due to its relatively tiny footprint.
The airport has four active runways, with the longest runway, 13C/31C, measuring 6,522 feet in length. While this runway can accommodate daily operations of single-aisle airliners like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, it is not large enough for much bigger aircraft. The largest aircraft typically seen at Midway is the Boeing 757, which was a daily visitor in the late 1990s and early 2000s. American Trans Air (ATA) regularly operated the Boeing 757-200 and the larger 757-300 into Midway during this period.
The Boeing 757 is a jetliner known for its short-field performance, allowing it to operate effectively on shorter runways like those at Midway. Its maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 220,000 to 273,000 pounds, and it has a maximum range of 3,900 nautical miles. The 757 was designed to be more fuel-efficient than its predecessors, with a focus on reducing operating costs. It features a 2,000 square-foot supercritical wing for reduced aerodynamic drag and a conventional tail.
While 757s are less common today, they still occasionally fly into Midway on charter flights operated by United and Delta. The Boeing 757 has played a significant role in the history of Midway Airport, and its presence continues to be a notable feature of the airport's operations.
In addition to accommodating large aircraft like the Boeing 757, Midway Airport has also undergone several development programs and expansions over the years to enhance its facilities and improve the overall travel experience for passengers.
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The airport has good transport links to the city centre
Chicago Midway International Airport is conveniently located just 12 miles (19 km) from the city's Loop business district. The airport is easily accessible by public transport, with the Orange Line providing a direct connection to the city centre in approximately 30 minutes. The Orange Line also links the airport to Midway Station, which offers further transport options, including suburban bus services and regional connections to Kankakee County. The airport's convenient transport links also include a parking garage, which was opened in 1999, providing covered parking for the first time. This is connected to the Midway terminal building for easy access to ticket counters and baggage claim areas.
In addition to its efficient rail and road connections, Midway International Airport has also undergone several development projects to enhance its facilities. For example, a pedestrian bridge was constructed in 2000, connecting the new terminal to the concourses. The following year, a new 900,000-square-foot terminal building opened, offering larger ticket counters and more spacious baggage claim areas, improving the overall travel experience.
The airport covers just over one square mile, with four active runways accommodating various aircraft sizes. The longest runway, 13C/31C, is suitable for large commercial planes like the Boeing 757. Smaller aircraft use the other runways, which are restricted from use by large commercial planes except in emergencies. One of the shorter runways, 13L/31R, was closed in 2023 after 82 years of service and converted into a taxiway.
With its proximity to the city centre, efficient public transport connections, and ongoing development projects, Midway International Airport offers travellers convenient and accessible options for reaching their destinations. The airport's transport links and infrastructure improvements ensure a smooth and efficient travel experience for passengers travelling to and from Chicago.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicago Midway International Airport was established in 1927 and served as Chicago's primary airport until O'Hare International Airport opened in 1944. Midway Airport is named after the Battle of Midway and is located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois.
In 1997, the Midway Airport Terminal Development Program was launched, which included the construction of a parking garage and a pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue. In 2001, a new 900,000-square-foot terminal building opened, offering larger ticket counters and spacious baggage claim areas. The airport also underwent a significant capital improvement project, which included redeveloping the central food court and adding new concession options.
Midway Airport is one of the busiest airports in the nation and the second busiest in the Chicago metropolitan area and Illinois state. In 2023, it served over 22 million passengers, with Southwest Airlines carrying over 90% of them.
Midway Airport has four active runways, with the longest being 13C/31C, offering a landing distance of 6,059 feet (1,847 meters) in the southeast direction and 5,826 feet (1,776 meters) to the northwest. The largest aircraft typically seen at Midway is the Boeing 757, and runways 4R/22L and 13C/31C are primarily used by commercial planes.
Midway Airport is connected to Chicago's city center, known as The Loop, by the Orange Line, with a travel time of approximately 30 minutes. The airport is also served by suburban bus operators and regional services to nearby counties.
