Lois Larson
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a bustling aviation hub, offering numerous flight sighting opportunities for enthusiasts. With eight runways and four passenger terminals, it accommodates a wide range of airlines, including major American and United flights, alongside international carriers. While the airport's layout is complex, several spots surrounding the airport provide excellent vantage points for plane spotting. These include locations near runways, cargo terminals, hotels, and public areas, each offering unique views of aircraft arrivals and departures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of runways | 8 |
| Cargo airlines | UPS, FedEx, Lufthansa Cargo |
| Terminals | 5 |
| Passenger terminals | 4 |
| Cargo areas | South of the terminals |
| Landing direction | 27/28 |
| Departure runways | 22L and 32 |
| Landing runways with wind from the east | 04R and 10 |
| Location | USG Corp building, Scott Street, Rosemont Metra Station |
| Terminal operators | United Airlines, United Express, Lufthansa, All Nippon Airways, Air Canada, Delta Airlines, Delta Connection, American Airlines, American Eagle/Envoy, Alaska Airlines, Frontier, Iberia, Japan Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, Virgin America |
| Airlines | Aeromexico, Avianca El Salvador, EVA Air, Interjet, Royal Jordanian, Volaris |
| Plane spotting locations | Sheraton Suites Hotel, casino near O'Hare, gravel driveway at the end of runway 28C, office buildings near a flight path |
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What You'll Learn
The Sheraton Suites Hotel
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a bustling aviation hub, offering ample opportunities for flight sightings and plane spotting. One recommended location for plane spotting is the Sheraton Suites Hotel, which provides convenient access to flight sightings. Here is some essential information about the Sheraton Suites Hotel and its advantages for plane spotters:
Location and Amenities
The Sheraton Suites Chicago O'Hare is strategically located near Rivers Casino, Lake Park, and other attractions such as the Fashion Outlets of Chicago and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. The hotel offers a complimentary round-trip airport shuttle service, making it convenient for guests travelling to and from O'Hare International Airport. The hotel has been recently renovated and provides a range of amenities for guests, including a grocery/convenience store, a coffee shop/cafe, and an on-site restaurant called FLIGHT, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guest rooms are well-appointed with premium bedding, air conditioning, separate sitting areas, and safes.
Plane Spotting Advantages
Exploring Other Plane Spotting Locations
While the Sheraton Suites Hotel offers excellent plane spotting opportunities, you may also want to explore other locations around O'Hare Airport. The Metra station off Ruby Street has a large car park and is one of the most popular spots for plane spotting, especially for runway 28C. Additionally, the gravel driveway at the end of runway 28C is a public spot recommended by O'Hare plane spotters, offering an incredible vantage point with planes flying directly overhead during take-off. Remember to respect all rules and regulations and ensure you have permission to access certain areas around the airport.
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Rosemont Metra Station
The station is also close to a gravel driveway at the end of runway 28C, which has been recommended by several O'Hare plane spotters as it offers an incredible vantage point with planes flying directly overhead.
If you're looking for a more comfortable plane-spotting experience, you can book a guestroom on the west side of the Sheraton Suites Hotel across from the West Higgins Road McDonald's. From the fifth floor and above, you can photograph the aircraft parked at the northeast cargo ramp.
For those who enjoy plane spotting and gambling, there is a casino near O'Hare where you can go up to the rooftop to photograph planes. However, keep in mind that security may approach you in this location.
Remember always to respect the rules and regulations and ensure you have permission to be in any area when plane spotting.
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USG Corp building on Scott Street
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a great place for plane spotting. The airport is incredibly busy and complicated, with eight runways and four passenger terminals. While spotting locations are not well catered for, there are some opportunities for those with a car to get views from the surrounding roads.
One of the best spots for plane spotting used to be around the USG Corp building on Scott Street, near the intersection of Mannheim Road and Lawrence Ave on the east side of the airport. However, since runway 10C/28C opened, the location has become less popular as aircraft tend to land on 28C, making them backlit and not ideal for photographs.
The USG Corporation, also known as the United States Gypsum Corporation, is an American company that manufactures construction materials, notably drywall and joint compounds. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and is the largest distributor of wallboard in the United States and the largest manufacturer of gypsum products in North America.
USG has a rich history of innovation, with over 1,100 patented industry-leading products. The company was formed in 1985 as a holding company, with the United States Gypsum Company becoming one of its nine operating subsidiaries. USG has since expanded its manufacturing network, adding new high-speed wallboard manufacturing operations across the United States.
In 1992, USG moved its corporate headquarters to 125 S. Franklin Street in Chicago, occupying the building until 2007. The structure, known as the USG building, is part of the dual-tower AT&T Corporate Center and stands at 538 feet tall with 35 floors. USG had its own entrance and lobby, occupying the first nine floors exclusively and parts of the 11th floor. The interior features Italian marble cladding and ornate details.
In 2005, USG announced that it would not renew its lease at 125 S. Franklin Street and instead moved to a new building at 550 W. Adams in early 2007. The company occupies 65% of the new building and agreed to maintain at least 500 full-time jobs for a period of ten years at the new corporate headquarters.
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FedEx parking lot
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a great place for plane spotting. The airport is incredibly busy and complicated, with eight runways and four passenger terminals.
One of the best spots for plane spotting is the FedEx parking lot near the cargo terminal. From there, it is only a 50-foot walk to the fence along one of the runways. This spot offers stunning views of planes taking off just a few hundred feet away.
To get to the FedEx parking lot, you can park in the lot near the security gate. However, keep in mind that this lot is reserved for individuals with airport passes, so you may need to drive around to find a suitable spot to park.
Another great spot for plane spotting is the gravel driveway at the end of runway 28C, which is open to the public and offers an incredible vantage point of planes taking off directly overhead. The Metra station off Ruby Street also has a large car park and is one of the most popular spots for plane spotting.
It is important to respect all rules and regulations when plane spotting and ensure you have permission to be in any area.
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Terminal 5
After passing through the security checkpoint, gates M18 to M40 are to your left, gates M13 to M17 are straight ahead, and gates M1 to M11 are to your right. If you are connecting to a domestic flight from an international one, you will need to exit Terminal 5, recheck your bags and go through security again in your departure terminal. This can take time, so it is recommended that you leave at least 90 minutes for this process.
The terminal underwent a major expansion, adding ten new gates, restaurants, amenities and a more efficient baggage handling system. The new design by architect Jeanne Gang connected the domestic and international terminals and added more light and greenery to the space.
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