O'hare Airport Code: What's Behind The Ord?

what is o hare airport code

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving 73.6 million passengers annually. The airport's IATA code is ORD, which is seen on flight reservations, luggage tags, airfare tickets, and more. The code is derived from the airport's former name, Orchard Field Airport, which was built on a site called Orchard Place, also known as Orchard Field.

Characteristics Values
Airport Name O'Hare International Airport
Location Chicago, Illinois, United States
IATA Code ORD
ICAO Code KORD
FAA LID ORD
Serves 73.6 million passengers annually
Destinations 200+ nonstop destinations
Airlines 42
Hubs American Airlines, United Airlines
Traffic 76% of total traffic
Connectivity Ranked #1 in North America
Awards Global Traveller Award for Best Airport in North America (2012)

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O'Hare Airport is named after Edward Butch O'Hare, a World War II naval aviator and the US Navy's first flying ace

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, often shortened to O'Hare Airport, is located 17 miles (27 km) northwest of Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, with 919,704 aircraft movements in 2019, averaging 2,520 per day. The airport code for O'Hare is ORD, which is believed to originate from the airport's former name, Orchard Field Airport.

O'Hare Airport is named after Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a highly-decorated naval aviator who served in World War II. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1914, O'Hare became the Navy's first fighter ace of the war when he valiantly attacked a formation of nine medium bombers approaching his aircraft carrier on February 20, 1942. Despite facing intense machine gun and cannon fire, and having a limited amount of ammunition, O'Hare's exceptional marksmanship allowed him to shoot down five enemy bombers and damage a sixth, thereby saving his carrier from serious damage. For this act of extraordinary heroism, O'Hare was awarded the Navy Cross and became the first naval aviator recipient of the Medal of Honor in World War II.

O'Hare's bravery extended beyond combat. On November 26, 1943, he led the U.S. Navy's inaugural nighttime fighter attack launched from an aircraft carrier. Unfortunately, during this mission, his plane was shot down, and he was presumed dead. O'Hare's final act of valor solidified his status as a war hero, and he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

In recognition of his service and sacrifice, the City of Chicago renamed the airport in 1949 to honor O'Hare. Today, O'Hare Airport proudly bears the name of this courageous aviator, serving as a lasting tribute to his legacy and a reminder of his bravery and skill.

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The airport's IATA code is ORD, which is derived from Orchard Field/Orchard Place, the site's name before it was renamed O'Hare Airport in 1949

O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, is one of the busiest airports in the world. Its IATA code is ORD, which is derived from the site's name before it was renamed O'Hare Airport in 1949. The airport was originally known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community. It was later renamed Orchard Field Airport or Orchard Field/Orchard Place, which is where the IATA code ORD comes from.

The site was first used as an aircraft factory during World War II, producing Douglas C-54 Skymasters. The airfield from which these planes flew out was known as Douglas Airport. The Chicago City Council officially renamed Orchard Field as O'Hare International Airport in 1949 to honour World War II naval aviator Lieutenant Commander Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a Medal of Honor recipient from Chicago.

The IATA code ORD has been retained even though the airport's name changed, which is a common practice to avoid confusion and costly changes to aviation-related publications. O'Hare Airport has a high volume of regional flights, with 919,704 aircraft movements in 2019, averaging 2,520 per day. It is a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, with 76% of total traffic, and offers non-stop flights to 249 destinations.

The airport is located approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of Chicago's Loop business district. It is accessible by airport shuttle, bus, the Chicago "L", taxi, and Interstate 190 (Kennedy Expressway), which goes directly into the airport.

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O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving 73.6 million passengers annually and offering non-stop flights to 249 destinations

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. O'Hare Airport is located in Chicago, Illinois, United States, about 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 Airport was originally known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community. During World War II, the site was home to a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports and Skymasters. The airfield was known as Douglas Airport, and it had four 5,500-foot (1,700 m) runways. In 1949, the airport was renamed O'Hare Airport to honour Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a World War II naval aviator and the U.S. Navy's first flying ace. The IATA code for the airport is ORD, which comes from the airport's former name, Orchard Field (Orchard = ORD).

O'Hare 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, the airport had 919,704 aircraft movements, averaging 2,520 per day, due in part to a large number of regional flights. O'Hare is a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines and serves as an operating base for Frontier and Spirit Airlines. The airport has four numbered passenger terminals, nine lettered concourses, and a total of 213 gates—the most of any airport in the world.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, O'Hare Airport served over 54 million passengers in 2021, and in previous years, it served about 73.6 million passengers annually. O'Hare has won the Global Traveller Award for the Best Airport in North America for 13 consecutive years as of 2012. However, it has also been ranked as one of the worst-performing airports in the United States in terms of delayed flights.

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The airport is located in Chicago, Illinois, approximately 17 miles northwest of the Loop business district

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is located in Illinois, in the United States. The airport is situated approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district, on the city's Northwest Side. O'Hare Airport is easily accessible by road, with Interstate 190 (Kennedy Expressway) leading directly into the airport. The Chicago "L", buses, taxis, and airport shuttles also service the airport.

O'Hare Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, renowned for its high volume of passenger traffic and aircraft movements. As of 2024, it is the fourth busiest and fifth most connected airport globally, serving 73.6 million passengers annually. O'Hare offers non-stop flights to 249 destinations worldwide, with 42 airlines providing services. American Airlines and United Airlines, which is headquartered in Willis Tower, use O'Hare as a hub, alongside operating bases for Frontier and Spirit Airlines.

The airport's IATA code is ORD, which is seen on flight reservations, luggage tags, and airfare tickets. The code is derived from the airport's former name, Orchard Field, which was originally an aircraft factory known as Orchard Place. In 1949, the airport was renamed O'Hare Airport to honour Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a World War II naval aviator and recipient of the Medal of Honor. Despite the name change, the airport code ORD remained unchanged, resulting in a unique IATA code that does not directly relate to the airport's current name or location.

O'Hare Airport has a rich history, initially serving as a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports during World War II. The airfield was known as Douglas Airport and played a significant role in supporting the war effort. Over time, O'Hare Airport expanded and evolved, eventually becoming a bustling hub of commercial air traffic. Today, it continues to be a vital aviation gateway, connecting Chicago to destinations worldwide.

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O'Hare is a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, with 76% of total traffic, and a base for Frontier and Spirit Airlines

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD) is one of the busiest airports in the world. It is located in Illinois, 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 offers non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the world, including North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. As of 2024, O'Hare is the most connected airport in the US and the 5th most connected airport globally. It is also the world's 4th busiest airport and the 16th largest airport.

O'Hare International Airport is a significant hub for several major airlines. It serves as a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, with these two carriers accounting for 76% of the airport's total traffic. United Airlines is headquartered in Willis Tower and has a strong presence at O'Hare, with its prime base at this airport. Terminal 2 is dedicated to most United Express and some United flights, while Terminal 1, also known as "The Terminal for Tomorrow," was designed by Helmut Jahn. American Airlines, on the other hand, operates from Terminal 3, along with other major airlines such as Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Japan Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.

In addition to being a hub for American and United Airlines, O'Hare is also a base for Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. Frontier Airlines has a unique strategy, forgoing multiple hubs and instead relying on a network of focus cities to connect its low-cost customers to their destinations. Spirit Airlines, an ultra-low-cost carrier, also chooses to label its busiest airports as operating bases rather than hubs. These airlines contribute significantly to O'Hare's traffic, providing passengers with a range of travel options and competitive pricing.

The history of O'Hare International Airport dates back to World War II. The site was originally known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community. During the war, it served as a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters, and the adjacent airfield was called Douglas Airport. In 1949, the airport was renamed O'Hare Airport to honour Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a US Navy flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient during World War II. The IATA code ORD, which stands for Orchard Field, remained unchanged, creating a unique aspect of O'Hare's identity.

Frequently asked questions

The airport code for O'Hare Airport is ORD.

O'Hare Airport was built on a site called Orchard Field, also known as Orchard Place. Orchard = ORcharD.

O'Hare Airport was originally an aircraft factory known as Orchard Place during World War II. It was renamed O'Hare Airport in 1949 to honour World War II naval aviator Lieutenant Commander Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a Medal of Honor recipient from Chicago.

O'Hare Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving 73.6 million passengers annually. It has been ranked as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998 and is currently the fourth busiest airport in the world.

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