Roberta Aguirre
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 annually. The airport is named after the Battle of Midway and covers just over one square mile, with four active runways. MDW is the second-largest airport in Chicago and is known for its unusual layout, with the airport's road system running between the terminal and the secure area. It is a hub for Southwest Airlines, which operates more than 229 daily flights from the airport.
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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.
The airport was established in 1927, but its history dates back to 1923 when it was originally named Chicago Air Park. It was built on a 320-acre plot with a single cinder runway, mainly catering to 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 significantly, boasting twelve hangars and four runways equipped for night operations. However, a major fire in June 1930 destroyed two hangars and 27 aircraft, resulting in a loss of over two million dollars.
Despite this setback, the airport continued to grow. In 1931, a new passenger terminal opened on 62nd Street, and by 1932, the airport claimed the title of the "World's Busiest," serving over 100,846 passengers on 60,947 flights. Midway served as Chicago's primary airport until the opening of O'Hare International Airport in 1944.
In the late 1970s, the shorter north-south and east-west runway pairs were closed, and some were converted into taxiways. The remaining four runways were strengthened and enhanced, retaining their original lengths. A short runway (13R/31L) for light aircraft was added in 1989.
The airport underwent significant expansion and improvement projects in the late 1990s and early 2000s. 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, spacious baggage claim areas, and convenient access to gates. The terminal complex was completed in the same year, featuring 43 gates and facilities for international passengers.
Today, Chicago Midway International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the nation, serving over 22 million passengers in 2023. It is a major base for Southwest Airlines, which carries over 90% of the airport's passengers. The airport covers just over one square mile (650 acres or 260 hectares) and continues to be a vital transportation hub for the Chicago metropolitan area and the state of Illinois.
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The airport's terminal buildings
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) 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. Midway is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving 22,050,489 passengers in 2023.
The airport's terminal complex was completed in 2001 and includes a 900,000-square-foot (84,000 m2) terminal building. The terminal building features two levels, with ticketing on the upper level and baggage claim on the lower level. The terminal has larger ticket counters and spacious baggage claim areas, as well as easy access to traveller information and a short walking distance to the gates. The terminal is connected to the parking garage, providing covered parking and convenient access to the ticket counters and baggage claim areas.
The terminal building is also connected to the concourses via a pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue, which separates the terminal and the secure area. Once passengers cross the bridge, they must clear security before entering the concourses. Past security, passengers arrive in the central market, which offers a large seating area, shops, and restaurants. The airport has three concourses (A, B, and C) with a total of 43 gates, including facilities for international passengers.
In addition to the central market, the airport provides various dining and shopping options throughout the terminal and concourses. The airport also features a chapel in Concourse C and a mother's room for nursing located near the yoga room. Information booths are available in the terminal to provide assistance and advice to passengers. The Midway Metro Station is located behind the terminal parking garage, providing convenient ground transportation links, along with bus services, CTA trains, shuttles, and taxis.
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Runway and aircraft specifics
Midway International Airport, also known as Chicago Midway International Airport (IATA: MDW, ICAO: KMDW, FAA LID: MDW), is a major commercial airport located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. Midway Airport is approximately 12 miles (19 km) from Chicago's Loop business district and is divided between the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities.
Midway International 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 13C/31C runway is the longest in Midway, with a length of 6,522 ft (1,988 m) and a width of 150 ft (46 m). This runway is ILS-equipped and is typically used by larger commercial aircraft. Due to displaced landing thresholds, the runways have shorter distances available for landings than for takeoffs. For example, the 13C/31C runway only offers a landing distance of 6,059 feet (1,847 m) in the southeast direction and 5,826 feet (1,776 m) in the northwest direction.
The largest aircraft commonly using Midway Airport is the Boeing 757. Commercial planes usually operate from runways 4R/22L and 13C/31C, while smaller aircraft use the other runways. Runway 13R/31L, added in 1989, caters specifically to light aircraft. The use of other runways by large commercial aircraft is restricted, except in emergency situations.
The airport has 43 aircraft gates across three concourses (Concourse A, B, and C), with 17, 23, and 3 gates, respectively.
In the past, Midway Airport faced challenges due to its limited expansion capabilities, surrounded by buildings on all sides. As a result, its runways were inadequate for larger four-engine jetliners like the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8. This led to the redirection of Chicago jet flights to O'Hare International Airport, which offered more suitable infrastructure for these larger aircraft.
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Public transport to the airport
Midway International Airport, originally named Chicago Air Park, is located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. It is about 12 miles (19 km) from the city's Loop business district and is divided between the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the Orange Line "L" train, which runs directly to Midway International Airport. The Orange Line provides a fast and efficient connection to the airport, with trains departing frequently from various stations across Chicago. The train journey offers a convenient and stress-free way to get to and from the airport, especially for those travelling without their own vehicle.
Additionally, the CTA also operates multiple bus routes that serve the airport. These bus services provide a more extensive coverage of the city, allowing passengers to board or disembark at various designated stops. The bus routes are an affordable and accessible option for travellers, offering flexibility and convenience for those who may not be within walking distance of the Orange Line stations.
For passengers arriving at or departing from the airport, the Midway Airport Terminal Development Program has improved accessibility. The program included the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue, connecting the terminal to the concourses. This enhancement facilitates seamless travel between the terminal building, ticket counters, baggage claim areas, and the gates, ensuring a more efficient and comfortable experience for travellers using public transportation.
Midway International Airport is well-connected to Chicago's public transportation network, making it easily accessible for locals and visitors alike. The availability of both train and bus services ensures that passengers can choose the most suitable option for their journey, taking into account factors such as proximity, timing, and personal preference.
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The airport's food and shopping options
Chicago Midway International Airport is located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois, approximately 12 miles from the city's Loop business district. The airport is one of the busiest in the nation and the second busiest in the state of Illinois.
Food and Shopping Options
Chicago Midway Airport offers a variety of dining options for travellers, ranging from quick bites to sit-down restaurants. For those in a hurry, there are several convenient options, such as America's Dog & Burger, Big City Chicken, and Big Shoulders Coffee. Concourse A is home to Beecher's Handmade Cheese, Billy Goat Tavern & Grill, and Cielo Cantina, where you can find the famous Cheezborger and Chicago-style sandwiches. Concourse B features Camden Food Co. and Dunkin' Donuts Express for travellers who want to grab a quick bite before their flight.
For travellers seeking a more substantial meal, there are several great options. Arami, Big Bowl, and DeColores offer a variety of cuisines, including Mexican, sushi, and rice bowls. DeColores is especially notable for its extensive breakfast menu, catering to various dietary needs with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
In addition to dining, Chicago Midway Airport also provides a range of shopping opportunities. The airport has a convenience store offering snacks, grab-and-go food options, and travel accessories. This store caters to various dietary preferences, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. For those looking for souvenirs, the store offers Chicago-themed merchandise, such as mugs, keyrings, and t-shirts, with 95% of the products manufactured locally.
The airport also features specialty shops, such as an iconic toy store, perfect for travellers looking to indulge or simply pass the time. With its mix of dining and shopping options, Chicago Midway Airport ensures that travellers have a variety of choices to meet their needs and preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
Midway Airport is in Chicago, Illinois.
The address of Midway Airport is 5700 S. Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL 60638.
Midway Airport is approximately 11-12 miles from downtown Chicago.
Midway Airport was originally named Chicago Air Park and was built on a 320-acre plot in 1923 with one cinder runway mainly for airmail flights. In 1927, it was named Chicago Municipal Airport and became Chicago's primary airport until O'Hare International Airport opened in 1944.
Midway Airport has an unusual layout with the airport's road system running between the terminal and the secure area. The airport consists of 1 terminal with 3 concourses (A, B, and C) and 43 aircraft gates.
