Jazmin Li
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of the busiest airports in the world, ranking fourth globally in 2021. It is also the most connected airport in the US and the fifth most connected airport in the world as of 2024. O'Hare has received a 3-star rating from Skytrax, with high rankings for connectivity, convenience, and dining experience. The airport has a rich history, beginning as a manufacturing plant during World War II, and has undergone modernisation to improve efficiency and reduce delays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicago O'Hare International Airport's ranking in the world | 4th busiest airport, 5th most connected airport |
| Chicago O'Hare International Airport's ranking in the US | Most connected airport, 16th largest airport |
| Chicago O'Hare International Airport's Skytrax rating | 3-star airport |
| Chicago O'Hare International Airport's ranking in North America | Best airport in North America for 19 years in a row |
| Chicago O'Hare International Airport's ranking in 2021 | 4th busiest airport in the world, 2nd for most aircraft movements, takeoffs and landings |
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What You'll Learn
O'Hare is the world's fourth busiest airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the fourth busiest airport in the world. O'Hare is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States, located 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 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 as of Summer 2024. The airport is considered the most connected airport in the US and the fifth most connected airport in the world. It is also the sixteenth largest airport globally.
O'Hare's ranking as the fourth busiest airport in the world is based on data from 2021, when it saw more than 54 million passengers. The airport also ranked second for the most aircraft movements, takeoffs, and landings in 2021, with a total of 684,201 movements throughout the year.
O'Hare has a unique history, beginning as a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during World War II. The site was originally known as Orchard Place and was previously a small German-American farming community. The airport has undergone significant modernization and expansion over the years, including the construction of new runways and the lengthening of existing ones, to accommodate the increasing air traffic and maintain its position as one of the world's busiest airports.
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It's the fifth most connected airport globally
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the fifth most connected airport in the world. It is also the most connected airport in the US. O'Hare offers flights to 249 destinations across North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic region. In August 2022, the airport served 66 international destinations, ranking third in the world in terms of total capacity.
O'Hare's connectivity is determined not only by the size of its route network but also by the number of connections possible within a specific time frame. The airport's attractiveness as a connecting point for scheduled domestic passengers is also taken into account. Chicago's central location in North America makes O'Hare a critical hub for air traffic across the continent and the world.
The airport's connectivity has been further boosted by the addition of new domestic and international routes, including destinations such as Tel Aviv, Auckland, and Barcelona. O'Hare also offers flights to every inhabited continent, with direct flights to Ireland and Barcelona being introduced in the near future.
In addition to its connectivity, O'Hare is also ranked as the fourth busiest airport in the world. The airport saw more than 54 million passengers in 2021 and had the second-highest number of aircraft movements, takeoffs, and landings during the same year.
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O'Hare is a 3-star airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a large and busy airport, ranked as the world's fourth busiest and sixteenth largest airport. It is considered the most connected airport in the US and the fifth most connected airport globally. O'Hare has non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the world.
Despite its impressive connectivity, O'Hare has been rated as a 3-star airport by Skytrax. This rating is based on several factors, including facilities, comfort and cleanliness, shopping, food and beverages, and staff service. While Chicago has a good transport system, the internal terminal connector transit has not been adequately renovated, causing inconvenience and delays for passengers. The terminal interiors are dated, with a poor range of seating and limited power supply options.
O'Hare's ranking as a 3-star airport is also influenced by historical challenges. In the 1990s, official reports ranked O'Hare as one of the worst-performing airports in the US due to a high percentage of delayed flights. The intersecting runways were considered dangerous and inefficient, contributing to the delays.
To address these issues, the Chicago Department of Aviation committed to the O'Hare Modernization Plan (OMP) in 2001. This plan involved reconfiguring the airfield, constructing new runways, lengthening existing ones, and decommissioning old runways to improve efficiency and safety. The modernization plan aimed to enhance O'Hare's performance and potentially increase its star rating.
O'Hare International Airport's 3-star ranking reflects areas for improvement, particularly in terminal facilities and connectivity. However, it also highlights the airport's strengths in providing non-stop flights to numerous destinations, making it a significant hub for global travel.
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It's the best airport in North America
Chicago O'Hare International Airport has been named the best airport in North America for 19 consecutive years. The airport is considered the most connected airport in the US and the fifth most connected airport in the world. O'Hare 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's ranking is based on the number of connections possible within a specific time frame and the attractiveness of the airport as a connecting point for scheduled domestic flights. The airport is constantly evolving, with plans to expand its international terminal space and increase gate capacity by 25%.
O'Hare has also been recognised for its dining experience, being named the best airport dining experience for three consecutive years. The airport is praised for its range of restaurants and amenities, with new additions planned for the future.
Despite its high ranking, O'Hare has faced challenges with terminal connectivity, dated interiors, and limited seating and power supply. However, modernisation efforts have been made, and the airport continues to improve, solidifying its position as one of the best airports in North America.
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O'Hare has the best airport dining experience
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of the world's busiest airports, serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. As of 2024, O'Hare is considered the most connected airport in the US and the 5th most connected airport worldwide. It is also the world's 4th busiest airport and the 16th largest airport.
O'Hare has made significant advancements in recent years in terms of dining options, which can help soothe the sting of delayed flights or extended layovers. While the airport may not be the pinnacle of fine dining, it has plenty of upgrades and additions that have made it a great place to dine and drink as you await your flight.
One of the dining options at O'Hare is Tuscany Cafe, Phil Stefani's Italian restaurant located in Terminal 1. The menu is large by airport standards, offering a variety of starters, soups, salads, pastas, pizzas, and entrees. For those who want a sit-down dining experience, Tuscany is one of the better options.
If you're looking for a more casual Italian meal, Bar Siena, from DineAmic Hospitality, is another option. This restaurant, which opened its first airport location in early 2024, is known for its flagship on Chicago's Randolph Restaurant Row in the West Loop.
For those who want to grab a quick bite before braving the security line, The Goddess and Grocer is the only restaurant in the airport where you can do so. And if you're just looking for a light snack, Garrett Popcorn, a cult-favorite shop, sells its signature CheeseCorn with CaramelCrisp mix at several terminals.
O'Hare also has options for those who want to enjoy a drink with their meal. Bubbles Wine Bar offers a jazz-club-style atmosphere with soft lighting and a grand piano. And for beer lovers, Goose Island, Chicago's oldest brewery, has an outpost at the airport, offering a variety of beers and bar food.
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Frequently asked questions
O'Hare airport is the world's fourth busiest airport.
O'Hare airport is the 16th largest airport in the world.
O'Hare airport is the best-connected airport in the world.
O'Hare airport is ranked the best airport in North America for 19 years in a row.
O'Hare airport is a 3-star airport.
