Jazmin Li
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, located on the city's northwest side, is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois. O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world, with non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the globe. The airport covers 7,627 acres and has three pairs of angled runways designed for takeoffs into the wind. O'Hare's efficient layout and accessibility by road and rail have contributed to its high passenger traffic, with easy access to the city centre and beyond.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | O'Hare International Airport |
| IATA | ORD |
| ICAO | KORD |
| FAA LID | ORD |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois, US |
| Distance from Loop business district | 17 miles (27 km) |
| Area covered | 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) |
| Destinations | 249 across North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the North Atlantic region |
| Ranking | 5th most connected airport in the world; 4th busiest airport; 16th largest airport |
| History | Manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during World War II; Successor to Midway International Airport |
| Traffic | 919,704 aircraft movements in 2019, averaging 2,520 per day |
| Airlines | Hub for American Airlines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines |
| Transport | Airport shuttle, bus, the Chicago "L", taxis, Interstate 190 (Kennedy Expressway) |
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What You'll Learn
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
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 chosen for its easy access to the workforce in Chicago, the nation's second-largest city at the time, as well as its proximity to railroads and distance from enemy threats. The airfield, known as Douglas Airport, initially had four 5,500-foot (1,700 m) runways.
In 1949, the facility was renamed O'Hare Airport to honour Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a distinguished US Navy pilot and recipient of the Medal of Honor during World War II. The airport's IATA code remains "ORD," a remnant of its former name. During the Korean War, the US Air Force utilised the airport as a fighter base, but by the 1960s, commercial aviation began to take precedence. O'Hare became renowned during the jet age, holding the title of the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998.
Today, O'Hare remains a significant aviation hub, with American Airlines and United Airlines using it as a base. It is easily accessible by road, with options including the airport shuttle, bus, the Chicago "L", taxis, and Interstate 190 (Kennedy Expressway), which leads directly into the airport.
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Airport history
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois. It is located on the city's northwest side, 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.
During World War II, the site that would become O'Hare Airport was known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community. The site was home to a Douglas manufacturing plant that built C-54 Skymaster aircraft for military use. The newly built aircraft flew out of what was then called Douglas Airport.
After the war, the military took over part of the site, and in 1949, the airport was renamed Orchard Field Airport after the US Navy aviator Edward "Butch" O'Hare. In February 1944, O'Hare Airport opened as the successor to Chicago Midway International Airport, which had served as Chicago's primary airport since 1927. The airport struggled to gain interest from airlines initially, but with the introduction of the jet age, O'Hare saw significant growth as it could accommodate jet aircraft, while Midway lacked the infrastructure for jets.
O'Hare Airport became the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. It has since undergone various expansion and modernisation projects to accommodate the increasing passenger and aircraft traffic. Today, O'Hare remains one of the busiest airports in the world, serving millions of passengers and offering non-stop flights to numerous destinations worldwide.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), located on the southwest side of Chicago, was established in 1927 as Chicago's first primary airport. Originally named Chicago Air Park, it was built on a 320-acre plot with one cinder runway mainly for airmail flights. The airport expanded rapidly, and by 1928, it had twelve hangars and four runways capable of night operations. In 1931, a new passenger terminal opened, and the airport claimed to be the “World's Busiest" in 1932 with over 100,846 passengers.
However, by the 1940s, it became evident that Midway Airport could not accommodate the larger jet aircraft that were being introduced. As a result, airlines began relocating their operations to O'Hare Airport, which had the space for the longer runways required by these new aircraft. Despite this, Midway remains one of the busiest airports in the nation and the second busiest in the Chicago area.
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Airlines and destinations
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is located on the city's northwest side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) from the Loop business district. O'Hare is considered the most connected airport in the US and the 5th most connected airport globally as of 2024. It 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.
O'Hare International Airport is a significant hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, with the latter having its headquarters in Willis Tower. The airport also serves as an operating base for Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines.
Historically, O'Hare played a crucial role in the jet age, holding the distinction of being the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. Even today, it remains one of the busiest airports worldwide, with 919,704 aircraft movements in 2019, averaging 2,520 per day. This high volume of flights is partly due to a large number of regional flights.
The airport's efficient ground transportation network includes the Chicago "L", airport shuttle, bus, and taxi services. Additionally, Interstate 190 (Kennedy Expressway) provides direct access to the airport. O'Hare's terminals and concourses are easily navigable, with Terminal 3 providing access to Concourse G and Concourse L.
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Transport to the airport
Chicago has two international airports: O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. O'Hare is the primary international airport serving Chicago, located on the city's northwest side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) from the Loop business district.
Transport to O'Hare International Airport
There are several transport options to get to O'Hare International Airport. The airport is accessible by road, with Interstate 190 (Kennedy Expressway) going directly into the airport. On-ground transport to the airport includes shuttle services, buses, the Chicago "L" train, and taxis.
Transport to Midway International Airport
Midway International Airport is located closer to the city centre, approximately 10 miles (16 km) from the Loop. Similar to O'Hare, Midway is also accessible by road, and travellers can opt for shuttle services, buses, the Chicago "L" train, or taxis.
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Terminals and concourses
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is located on the city's northwest side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) from the Loop business district. O'Hare is considered the most connected airport in the US and the fifth most connected airport in the world. It is also the fourth busiest airport and the 16th largest airport in the world. O'Hare offers non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the globe.
The airport consists of four numbered passenger terminals situated inside a circular roadway, with concourses operated by various airlines extending from each terminal. The terminals are connected by the ATS (Airline Transit System), a people-mover system that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each terminal has three lettered concourses: A, B, and C, except for Terminal 2, which only has Concourses E and F.
Terminal 1 is home to domestic flights, with Concourse B serving as the main hub for United Airlines. This terminal features a variety of dining options, including fast-food chains and sit-down restaurants. Terminal 2 primarily serves international flights and is where American Airlines operates its international and transcontinental flights. Here, passengers can find a diverse range of shopping and dining options, including duty-free stores and restaurants offering international cuisine.
Terminal 3 caters to a mix of domestic and international flights. It is the base for several airlines, including Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic. Concourse G, located between Terminals 2 and 3, provides access to gates K1-K6. This terminal also offers a variety of dining and retail options. Terminal 5, the smallest of the four, handles international flights and is the base for airlines such as Air Canada and Lufthansa.
In addition to the four main terminals, O'Hare International Airport also has a separate terminal specifically for regional flights. This terminal, known as the "L-Concourse," is located away from the main terminal complex and is served by a dedicated roadway.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, located on the city's Northwest Side, was famous for being the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. It is still considered one of the busiest airports in the world.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a hub for American Airlines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.
Ground transportation to and from the airport is offered by airport shuttle, bus, the Chicago "L", or taxis. The Kennedy Expressway goes directly into the airport.
