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Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is a major commercial airport 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. Midway Airport covers just over one square mile and offers various amenities for travellers, including lounges, a yoga room, comfortable seating, high-speed Wi-Fi, quiet areas, and charging stations.
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What You'll Learn
Chicago Midway International Airport's history
Chicago Midway International Airport is located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois, approximately 12 miles (19 km) from the city's Loop business district. The airport is divided between the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities and covers just over one square mile (650 acres or 260 hectares).
The airport was established in 1927 and served as Chicago's primary airport until the opening of O'Hare International Airport in 1944. Originally named Chicago Air Park, the airport was built on a 320-acre (130-hectare) plot in 1923 with a single cinder runway, mainly for airmail flights. In 1926, the city leased the airport, and on December 12, 1927, it was named Chicago Municipal Airport. By 1928, the airport had expanded to include twelve hangars and four runways, which were lit for night operations.
However, a major fire on June 25, 1930, destroyed two hangars and 27 aircraft, resulting in a loss of over two million dollars. Despite this setback, the airport continued to grow and thrive. In 1948, Midway became the busiest airline airport in the United States, surpassing New York's LaGuardia Airport, and retained this title until 1960. The airport was renamed after the Battle of Midway in July 1949 and saw 3.2 million passengers that year. In 1959, passenger numbers peaked at 10 million.
In the late 1970s, some of the shorter runways were closed and converted into taxiways, while four longer runways remained in use and were strengthened and enhanced. A short runway (13R/31L) for light aircraft was added in 1989.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the airport underwent significant expansion and improvement projects, including the construction of a new terminal building, a parking garage, and a pedestrian bridge. The Midway Airport Terminal Development Program, launched in 1997, was the largest public works project in the state at the time. The new terminal building, completed in 2001, offered larger ticket counters, spacious baggage claim areas, and convenient access to gates.
Today, Chicago Midway International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the nation and the second busiest in Illinois, serving 22,050,489 passengers in 2023. The airport is a major base for Southwest Airlines, which carries over 90% of the airport's passengers.
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MDW airport's busiest years
Midway International Airport (MDW) is located in Chicago, Illinois, approximately 12 miles (19 km) from the city's Loop business district. It is bounded by 55th and 63rd Streets, Central and Cicero Avenues. Established in 1927, Midway served as Chicago's primary airport until 1944 when O'Hare International Airport opened.
MDW is one of the busiest airports in the United States and the second busiest in Illinois, handling over 20 million passengers annually. The airport has a rich history, and its busiest years can be traced back to the early 1930s.
In 1931, a new passenger terminal opened at 62nd Street. The following year, Midway claimed the title of the "World's Busiest" airport, with over 100,846 passengers on 60,947 flights. This was a remarkable achievement, considering the July 1932 Official Aviation Guide (OAG) recorded only 206 scheduled airline departures per week.
By March 1939, the OAG recorded 47 weekday departures from Midway, serving various airlines. During this time, Midway was competing with New York's airport, which was then the busiest in the United States. However, in 1948, Midway surpassed LaGuardia and retained its status as the nation's busiest airport until 1960.
The airport continued to thrive in the following decades. In 1959, Midway's passenger count peaked at 10 million. However, the airport faced a challenge due to its limited space for expansion, especially with the introduction of larger four-engine jetliners in the same year.
Reconstruction efforts began in 1967, and the city invested $10 million in renovation funds. This renovation brought back major airlines, and in 1968, the airport accommodated 1,663,074 passengers on smaller-capacity, short-range twin-jet and trijet airliners.
In the late 1970s, some of the shorter runways were closed or converted into taxiways, and a new short runway for light aircraft was added in 1989. In 1996, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced the Midway Airport Terminal Development Program, which included the construction of a parking garage, a pedestrian bridge, and a new terminal building, all of which were completed by 2001.
MDW continues to be a major commercial airport, serving as a base for Southwest Airlines and handling over 22 million passengers in 2023.
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The airport's terminals and concourses
Chicago Midway International Airport is located in Illinois, around 12 miles from the city's Loop business district. The airport is divided between the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving over 22 million passengers in 2023.
The airport covers just over one square mile and has four active runways. The longest runway, 13C/31C, is 6,522 feet long and is used by commercial aircraft like the Boeing 757. The shorter runways are used by smaller aircraft.
Midway Airport has three concourses (A, B, and C) with a total of 43 aircraft gates. Concourse A has 17 gates, Concourse B has 23 gates, and Concourse C has 3 gates.
In 1996, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced the Midway Airport Terminal Development Program, which was the largest public works project in the state at the time. The project included the construction of a new parking garage, a pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue, and a new terminal building that opened in 2001. The new terminal building offered larger ticket counters, spacious baggage claim areas, and easy access to gates.
The terminal building also features a 50,000-square-foot food court with Chicago-style food and retail options. Concourse A, in particular, has various dining and shopping options, including Big Shoulders Coffee, Billy Goat Tavern & Grill, Cielo Cantina, Einstein Bros. Bagels, FAO Schwarz, Harry Caray's Shortstop, and Nuts on Clark.
In addition to the central food court, the airport has also undergone other improvements, such as the redevelopment of the Gate A4A/B connecting walkway and the addition of new concession options. These enhancements have made Midway International Airport more convenient and accessible for travellers.
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Runway lengths and aircraft restrictions
Midway International Airport, located in Chicago, Illinois, has a long history dating back to its establishment in 1927. Over the years, the airport has undergone various developments and expansions, including the addition of new terminals, concourses, and runways.
Today, the airport covers just over one square mile (650 acres or 260 hectares) and has four active runways: 13C/31C, 4R/22L, 13R/31L, and 13L/31R. The longest runway, 13C/31C, measures 6,522 ft x 150 ft (1,988 m x 46 m) and is equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS). However, due to displaced landing thresholds, the available landing distance on this runway is shorter, with 6,059 feet (1,847 m) in the southeast direction and 5,826 feet (1,776 m) to the northwest.
The runway lengths at Midway International Airport have implications for aircraft restrictions. The airport typically accommodates smaller aircraft on the shorter runways, while the longer runways, such as 13C/31C, are used by larger commercial planes. The largest aircraft usually seen at Midway is the Boeing 757. However, the airport's surrounding buildings have limited its expansion, and the runways are unable to safely accommodate larger four-engine jetliners like the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8.
Runway 13L/31R, which was the shortest runway at 5,230 feet, was permanently closed in August 2023 and converted into Taxiway H. This closure further emphasises the restrictions imposed by the runway lengths at Midway International Airport.
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Passenger facilities and amenities
Midway International Airport, located in Chicago, Illinois, offers a range of facilities and amenities for passengers travelling through the airport. The airport features one terminal, which is divided into three concourses (Concourse A, B, and C). Each concourse offers a variety of services and amenities, ensuring a comfortable and convenient experience for travellers.
One notable facility at Midway Airport is the USO (United Service Organization) Center, located in Concourse C. The USO Center caters specifically to active military personnel and their families, offering a range of complimentary amenities. The centre provides free internet access, public computers, printers, fax services, calling cards, and telephone services. Additionally, the USO Centre's kitchen offers complimentary snacks, beverages, and microwavable meals. Entertainment options are also available, including reading materials, playing cards, television, movies, and an Xbox gaming system.
In terms of dining and refreshment options, Midway Airport offers a variety of choices. The airport features a redeveloped central food court, with concession options available in phases, including a food court in Concourse A. Each concourse also has its own selection of restaurants, bars, and shops, ensuring that passengers have a variety of dining and shopping options during their time at the airport.
For passengers requiring internet access, Midway Airport provides free unlimited Wi-Fi throughout the terminal. To access the internet, passengers can connect to either the "Boingo Hotspot" or the "_Free_MDW_Wi-Fi" network. This service adds convenience and allows travellers to stay connected, whether for work or personal purposes.
The airport also offers other essential amenities, such as ATMs, currency exchange services, lost and found services, and travel assistance. Additionally, for passengers with layovers or extended waits, there are nearby hotel options that provide additional amenities, such as shower facilities, which are not available within the airport itself.
Overall, Midway International Airport aims to provide a comprehensive range of facilities and amenities to cater to the diverse needs of its passengers, offering a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Midway Airport is located in the state of Illinois.
The IATA code for Midway Airport is MDW.
O'Hare International Airport is the primary airport in Chicago, Illinois.
Midway Airport is the second busiest airport in Chicago, Illinois.
The average wait time at Midway Airport is 34 minutes.
