
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is a major international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. ORD is located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. As of 2024, O'Hare is considered the most connected airport in the US and the 5th most connected airport in the world. It is also the United States' 4th busiest airport and 7th largest airport. ORD has non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the world.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Airport Name | Chicago O'Hare International Airport |
IATA Code | ORD |
ICAO Code | KORD |
FAA LID | ORD |
Location | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
Operator | Chicago Department of Aviation |
Area Covered | 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) |
Destinations | 249 destinations worldwide |
Ranking | 4th busiest airport in the US, 5th most connected airport in the world, 7th largest airport in the US |
Airlines | American Airlines, United Airlines, Air Wisconsin, Envoy Air, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, SkyWest Airlines, Air New Zealand, and more |
Delays | Gate hold and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less for departures; airborne arrival delays of 15 minutes or less |
Transit | Airport shuttle, bus, Chicago "L", taxis, Interstate 190 (Kennedy Expressway) |
What You'll Learn
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is a major international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States
- ORD is the 4th busiest airport in the US and 7th largest airport
- The airport has 213 gates, the most of any airport in the world
- ORD is located 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district
- The airport is named after aviator Edward Butch O'Hare, the U.S. Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is a major international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is a major international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. Located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district, O'Hare is considered one of the most connected airports in the world. As of 2024, the airport offers non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the globe and is the fourth busiest airport in the United States.
The history of O'Hare International Airport dates back to World War II when it served as an airfield for a Douglas manufacturing plant producing C-54 military transports. In the mid-1940s, it was renamed Orchard Field Airport and was assigned the IATA code ORD. The airport was renamed in 1949 after Edward "Butch" O'Hare, the U.S. Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient during World War II.
O'Hare International Airport played a significant role in the jet age, holding the distinction as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. The airport has continued to rank as one of the busiest airports worldwide, with 919,704 aircraft movements in 2019, averaging 2,520 per day. The airport's busy schedule is partly due to a large number of regional flights.
O'Hare covers an area of 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) and is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation. The airport has four numbered passenger terminals with nine lettered concourses and a total of 213 gates, the most of any airport in the world. Terminals 1–3 are connected airside via a walkway, while Terminal 5 is separated and accessible via shuttle bus or the Airport Transit System.
Ground transportation to and from the airport is convenient, with access to the airport shuttle, bus, the Chicago "L", or taxis. Additionally, Interstate 190 (Kennedy Expressway) connects directly to the airport. O'Hare is also a hub for several major airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.
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ORD is the 4th busiest airport in the US and 7th largest airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is a major international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. ORD is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation and covers 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2).
ORD is the fourth busiest airport in the US and the seventh-largest airport. It is also the most connected airport in the US and the fifth most connected airport in the world. The airport has non-stop flights to 249 destinations across North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic region.
ORD has four numbered passenger terminals with nine lettered concourses and a total of 213 gates—the most of any airport in the world. In 2023, the airport handled over 73 million passengers and experienced 720,582 aircraft movements.
The airport has a rich history, dating back to its beginnings as an airfield during World War II. It was renamed Orchard Field Airport in the mid-1940s and then Chicago O'Hare International Airport in 1949, after aviator Edward "Butch" O'Hare. ORD has pioneered many innovative designs, such as concourses, direct highway access to the terminal, jet bridges, and underground refueling systems.
Today, ORD continues to be a significant hub for air travel, with a wide range of airlines operating from its terminals and offering both domestic and international flights.
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The airport has 213 gates, the most of any airport in the world
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is a major airport in the United States, serving the city of Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the largest airports in the world by several metrics. While it does not have the most gates, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) claiming that title with 206 gates, ORD is still one of the world's busiest airports.
ORD is a massive airport, with a total of 213 gates. To put that into perspective, that is more gates than any other airport in the world. This extensive network of gates allows the airport to handle a large volume of flights and passengers, contributing to its reputation as one of the world's busiest aviation hubs.
The large number of gates at ORD is a result of the airport's size and the volume of traffic it handles. The airport is a major hub for several airlines, including American Airlines, and serves as a crucial gateway to the city of Chicago and the surrounding region. The high number of gates enables efficient management of the significant flight traffic, facilitating smooth operations and passenger flow.
The 213 gates at ORD are strategically distributed throughout the airport's expansive layout. These gates are connected by an intricate network of concourses, corridors, and transportation systems, ensuring efficient passenger movement between different areas of the airport. The design of the airport takes into account the large number of gates and works to optimise the passenger experience, despite the vast distances that may be involved in reaching certain gates.
The efficient utilisation of its 213 gates has contributed to ORD's reputation as a world-class aviation hub. This impressive infrastructure showcases the airport's capacity to handle a high volume of flights and passengers, solidifying its position as one of the leading airports globally in terms of size, efficiency, and passenger traffic management.
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ORD is located 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is located 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. The Loop is Chicago's central business district and one of the city's 77 municipally recognised community areas. It is the second-largest business district in North America after Midtown Manhattan. The Loop is home to the headquarters and regional offices of several global and national businesses, retail establishments, restaurants, hotels, and theatres, as well as many of Chicago's most famous attractions.
The Loop's boundaries have evolved over time. Since the 1920s, the area bounded by the Chicago River to the west and north, Lake Michigan to the east, and Roosevelt Road (12th Street) to the south has been known as the Loop. The term "Loop" originally referred to a somewhat smaller area, or the 35 city blocks bounded on the north by Lake Street, on the west by Wells Street, on the south by Van Buren Street, and on the east by Wabash Avenue. This area was encircled by the Union Loop formed by the 'L' train system in the late 1800s, giving the neighbourhood its name.
O'Hare International Airport is located on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the busiest airports in the world and, as of 2024, is considered the most connected airport in the US and the fifth most connected airport globally. The airport covers 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) and 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 has four numbered passenger terminals and eight runways, making it the airport with the most runways and gates in the world.
The airport is easily accessible by car, bus, train, and taxi. By car, O'Hare Airport is located off of Interstate 90 (Kennedy Expressway), which offers direct access to the airport. There is also a large parking garage available at the airport. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates multiple bus lines that serve the airport, as well as the Blue Line train system, which connects O'Hare Airport to the Loop. Additionally, Amtrak provides train services that stop at the airport. Taxis are readily available at the airport as well.
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The airport is named after aviator Edward Butch O'Hare, the U.S. Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is named after Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a U.S. Navy aviator and the Navy's first-ever Medal of Honor recipient. O'Hare Airport is located in Chicago, Illinois, United States, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. It is a major international airport, serving as a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, and an operating base for Frontier and Spirit Airlines. O'Hare has non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the globe and is considered the most connected airport in the US.
The history of O'Hare Airport dates back to World War II when it served as an airfield for a Douglas manufacturing plant producing C-54 military transports. The site was known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community. The plant covered 2 million square feet and had four 5,500-foot runways. After the war, the site was renamed Orchard Field Airport and was assigned the IATA code ORD.
In 1949, the airport was renamed after Edward "Butch" O'Hare, honouring his heroic achievements as a Navy aviator during World War II. O'Hare was the first flying ace in the U.S. Navy and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valour. The airport's IATA code remained ORD, making it one of the few airport codes with no connection to its name or location.
O'Hare Airport became famous during the jet age, holding the distinction as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. It has consistently ranked as one of the busiest airports worldwide, with 919,704 aircraft movements in 2019, the most of any airport globally. The airport has undergone numerous expansions and improvements over the years, including the addition of new terminals, concourses, and runways, solidifying its status as a major international aviation hub.
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Frequently asked questions
ORD is the IATA code for Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is located in Chicago, Illinois, United States, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport has four numbered passenger terminals with nine lettered concourses.
Airlines that fly into Chicago O'Hare International Airport include American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Qantas, Qatar Airways, and many others.