Chicago's Ord Airport: Location And Accessibility

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known by its IATA code ORD, is located on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois. The airport is approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district and is considered the most connected airport in the US. ORD was designed to be the successor to Chicago's Midway International Airport and has non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the world.

O'Hare International Airport's history

O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, is located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. It is one of the busiest airports in the US and the world, serving as a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines. The airport covers 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) and offers non-stop flights to 249 destinations worldwide. Here is a detailed history of O'Hare International Airport:

The Early Years:

O'Hare International Airport started as a manufacturing base during World War II. It was originally part of a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 Skymaster aircraft, a derivative of the popular Douglas DC-3. The site, known as Orchard Place, was previously a small German-American farming community. The plant had extensive railroad connections and an airfield known as "Douglas Airport." Over 600 C-54s were built and flown out during the war.

Post-World War II Expansion:

After the war, the city of Chicago recognised the need for airport expansion to meet the growing aviation demands. In 1945, Chicago Mayor Edward Kelly established a board to choose a new airport site. The Orchard Field site was selected in March 1946, and the city took control of most of the property, while the military retained a small portion. The airport underwent significant expansion and redesign, becoming one of the first major planned airport constructions in the US. It pioneered innovative concepts such as concourses, direct highway and rail access to the terminal, jet bridges, and underground refuelling systems.

The Jet Age:

O'Hare International Airport officially began passenger service in 1955, but its growth was initially slow, with Chicago Midway Airport remaining the busier of the two. However, with the introduction of larger jet aircraft, airlines had to move their operations to O'Hare as Midway couldn't accommodate jets like the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8. By 1961, O'Hare had become the second busiest airport in the US, handling 9.62 million passengers that year.

Deregulation and Hub Establishment:

The deregulation of the US aviation industry in 1978 brought changes to O'Hare's role as a hub. Airlines such as TWA and Northwest Airlines moved their hubs, while Delta Air Lines expanded its presence at O'Hare before shifting its hub to Cincinnati in the 1990s. American Airlines and United Airlines established dominant hubs at O'Hare, which remain to this day.

Infrastructure Expansion:

O'Hare's infrastructure has expanded significantly over the years, with terminal expansions driven by the dominant airlines. United Airlines built a new Terminal 1 in the mid-1980s, designed by Helmut Jahn. American Airlines expanded Terminal 3 in the late 1980s. A major new international terminal, now Terminal 5, was added in 1993. O'Hare also expanded its runways, initially having seven runways by 1971. However, due to intersecting runways causing operational issues, a major redevelopment project was proposed in 2001, leading to the addition of new runways and the decommissioning of old ones. The redesigned runway layout was completed in 2021, offering a more efficient setup.

O'Hare International Airport continues to be a vital aviation hub, undergoing further expansion and improvements to meet the ever-growing demands of air travel.

How to get to O'Hare by road

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. The airport is accessible by road via the Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 190), which goes directly into the airport.

If you're driving to O'Hare, you can take the Kennedy Expressway (I-190) directly to the airport. This highway offers interchanges with Mannheim Road (U.S. 12 and 45), the Tri-State Tollway (Interstate 294), and Interstate 90. I-90 continues as the Kennedy Expressway into downtown Chicago and becomes the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway northwest of the city, towards Rockford and the Wisconsin state line.

Once you arrive at the airport, there are several parking options available, including the O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility (MMF), which is also the location of the rental car facilities and the commuter rail transfer station for the Metra North Central Service.

In addition to driving, you can also take a taxi, airport shuttle, or bus to get to O'Hare by road. The Chicago "L" train also provides direct service to the airport from downtown Chicago and other areas.

The airport's busiest routes

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. ORD is the fourth busiest airport in the United States and is considered the most connected airport in the US as of 2024.

• New York–LaGuardia, New York
• Los Angeles, California
• Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Arizona
• San Francisco, California
• Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
• Denver, Colorado
• Orlando, Florida
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Boston, Massachusetts

The following is a list of the busiest international routes from ORD between October 2022 and September 2023:

• London–Heathrow, United Kingdom
• Toronto–Pearson, Canada
• Paris–Charles de Gaulle, France
• Tokyo–Haneda, Japan
• Guadalajara, Mexico
• Cancún, Mexico
• Seoul–Incheon, South Korea
• Frankfurt, Germany
• Hong Kong
• Anchorage, Alaska

O'Hare's terminals and concourses

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD) is located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 15 miles from downtown Chicago. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving about 83 million people per year. O'Hare has four numbered passenger terminals (1, 2, 3, and 5) with nine lettered concourses (B, C, E, F, G, H, K, L, and M) and a total of 213 gates.

Terminal 1 is used for United Airlines, Lufthansa, and All Nippon Airways flights. It has 52 gates across two concourses, B and C. In addition to a wide range of dining options, Terminal 1 also features shops such as Barbara's Bookstore, Duty-Free, and Hudson News & Gifts. It is home to the United Club and United Polaris Lounge, which offer snacks, WiFi, and a full-service bar.

Terminal 2 serves most United Express and some United flights, as well as Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue flights. It has 41 gates across two concourses, E and F. The dining options in Terminal 2 are similar to those in Terminal 1, with a mix of kiosks and dine-in restaurants. This terminal also has a sports bar. The shopping options include Duty-Free, Hudson News & Gifts, and the only barber shop in the airport.

Terminal 3 is the largest terminal at O'Hare, with 80 gates across four concourses, G, H, K, and L. American Airlines and Spirit Airlines are the main airlines in this terminal, but several regional airlines also operate here. Terminal 3 offers a diverse range of dining options, including a smoothie and salad shop, a bakery, a bagel shop, multiple vending machines, and a Mexican restaurant. Shopping options include Brooks Brothers and Brookstone. Terminal 3 also features the airport's only Yoga Room, located in the rotunda mezzanine.

Terminal 5 is the international terminal, serving all major international airlines. It has 35 non-sequential gates in Concourse M. With 18 dining options, including a mix of quick-service and dine-in restaurants, Terminal 5 caters to a variety of tastes and preferences. Shopping options are similar to those in Terminal 3, with a focus on convenience and travel essentials. Terminal 5 is not connected to the domestic terminals (Terminals 1, 2, and 3) and can be accessed via the Airport Transit System (ATS), a train shuttle service operating daily from 5 am to 10:30 pm.

The domestic terminals (Terminals 1, 2, and 3) are interconnected, allowing passengers to walk or use moving sidewalks and escalators to move between them. The walk from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 takes about 10 minutes, while the walk from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 can take up to 20 minutes when walking from the farthest gates.

Major accidents at the airport

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD) is a major international airport located on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district.

On September 17, 1961, Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 706, a Lockheed L-188 Electra, crashed upon takeoff, killing all 37 on board.

On August 16, 1965, United Airlines Flight 389, a Boeing 727, crashed into Lake Michigan, 30 miles (48 km) east of O'Hare while on approach, killing all 30 on board.

On December 27, 1968, North Central Airlines Flight 458, a Convair CV-580, crashed into a hangar at O'Hare, killing 27 passengers and one person on the ground.

On December 20, 1972, North Central Airlines Flight 575, a Douglas DC-9, collided with another aircraft on the runway and crashed, killing 10 passengers.

On May 25, 1979, American Airlines Flight 191, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, stalled and crashed into a field shortly after takeoff. 273 people died, including two on the ground, making it the deadliest single-aircraft crash in United States history at the time.

On March 19, 1982, a United States Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed upon approach to O'Hare, 40 miles (64 km) northwest of the city, killing 27 people on board.

On February 9, 1998, American Airlines Flight 1340, a Boeing 727, crashed upon landing, injuring 22 passengers.

On July 23, 2006, there was a near miss between United Airlines Flight 1015, a Boeing 737-322, and Atlas Air Flight 6972, a Boeing 747-47UF. All 131 occupants survived without injury.

On October 28, 2016, a fire broke out in the engine of American Airlines Flight 383, a Boeing 767-300ER, during takeoff. The flight aborted takeoff, and 20 passengers and one flight attendant were injured.

Frequently asked questions