Roberta Aguirre
Chicago has two major airports: O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW). O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the country, with non-stop flights to 249 destinations worldwide. It has four terminals and nine concourses, the most of any airport in the world. O'Hare is also home to the Delta Sky Club, which boasts over 22,000 square feet of space, showers, and great views. On the other hand, Midway is a smaller airport with just one terminal and three concourses, offering more convenient access to the city but with fewer flights. While Midway primarily serves domestic destinations, it does offer some international flights to Mexico.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | O'Hare International Airport |
| Location | Northwest side of Chicago |
| Operators | Chicago Department of Aviation |
| Area | 7,627 acres |
| Destinations | 249 destinations in North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the North Atlantic region |
| Ranking | 5th most connected airport in the world, 4th busiest airport in the world |
| Terminals | 4 numbered terminals with 9 lettered concourses and 215 gates |
| Accessibility | Airport shuttle, bus, the Chicago "L", taxis, Interstate 190 (Kennedy Expressway) |
| Airlines | American Airlines, United Airlines, Lufthansa, All Nippon Airways, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, etc. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
O'Hare International Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world, with 919,704 aircraft movements in 2019, averaging 2,520 per day—the most of any airport globally. This high number of aircraft movements is partly due to a large number of regional flights.
O'Hare offers non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the world, including North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic region. As of 2024, O'Hare is considered the most connected airport in the US and the fifth most connected airport worldwide. It is also the fourth busiest airport and the 16th largest airport in the world. O'Hare covers 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) and has four numbered passenger terminals with nine lettered concourses and a total of 215 gates—the most of any airport in the world. Terminal 1 is used for United Airlines, Lufthansa, and All Nippon Airways flights.
O'Hare became famous during the jet age, holding the distinction as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. O'Hare's first international terminal opened in August 1958, and by April 1959, the airport had expanded to 7,200 acres with new hangars, terminals, parking, and other facilities. The expressway link to downtown Chicago, known as the Kennedy Expressway, was completed in 1960, and New Terminals 2 and 3 opened on January 1, 1962. The first scheduled jet at O'Hare was an American 707 from New York to Chicago to San Francisco on March 22, 1959.
O'Hare has a Delta Sky Club lounge, which offers over 22,000 square feet of space, showers, great views of the airport and Delta jets, and two bars, including a Chicago-style hot dog vendor. Road access to the airport is offered by airport shuttle, bus, the Chicago "L", or taxis. Interstate 190 (Kennedy Expressway) goes directly into the airport. O'Hare is a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, with the latter being headquartered in Willis Tower. It also serves as an operating base for Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines.
Obtaining an Airport ID Badge: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Midway International Airport
The airport is named after the Battle of Midway and covers just over one square mile (650 acres or 260 hectares). It has four active runways, with the shortest runway, designated as 13R/31L, added in 1989 for light aircraft. Midway is a key part of Southwest Airlines' network, which operates the majority of flights from the airport. Delta Air Lines, which has a small presence at O'Hare, is another of the seven airlines operating from Midway.
In terms of international flights, Midway offers more limited options compared to O'Hare. While Southwest Airlines flyers will find the best selection out of Midway, those travelling internationally will likely use O'Hare. However, Midway does have facilities for international passengers, and there have been international routes operating from the airport. For example, in 2008, Porter Airlines operated flights between Midway and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and in 2010, Volaris commenced flights between Guadalajara and Midway.
Midway provides more convenient access to downtown Chicago compared to O'Hare, which is located further from the city centre. The CTA rapid transit Orange Line connects Midway to downtown Chicago, offering easy transit to travellers.
Apple's Airport Extreme: Is It Still in Production?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
International flight destinations
Chicago has two airports: O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW). O'Hare is the primary international airport serving Chicago, located on the city's northwest side. It is the second-largest airport in the United States, with non-stop flights to 249 destinations in North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic region. O'Hare is also the most connected airport in the US and the 5th most connected airport globally. It is a hub for American Airlines, United Airlines, Lufthansa, and All Nippon Airways.
O'Hare International Airport offers non-stop intercontinental flights to various destinations, including:
- London Heathrow, United Kingdom (operated by American Airlines, British Airways, and United Airlines)
- Frankfurt, Germany (United Airlines)
- Munich, Germany (United Airlines)
- Zurich, Switzerland (United Airlines)
- Reykjavik (Keflavik), Iceland (United Airlines, seasonal)
- Dublin, Ireland (United Airlines, seasonal)
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom (United Airlines, seasonal)
- Hong Kong, China (Cathay Pacific)
Midway International Airport, on the other hand, is a key part of Southwest Airlines' network and offers more convenient access to the city, but with fewer flights. Delta Air Lines also operates from Midway, although it has a more extensive presence at O'Hare.
When flying to Chicago, it is recommended to book 1-3 months in advance for domestic travel and 3-6 months in advance for international flights to secure the best deals. Generally, flights during the off-peak times and mid-week tend to be more affordable. January and February offer the most affordable flights, while summer months and holidays are the most expensive.
Sarasota Bradenton Airport: Reopening Timeline and Updates
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Airlines offering international flights
Chicago has two airports that cater to international flights: O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. O'Hare is the primary international airport serving Chicago, located on the city's northwest side, approximately 17 miles from the Loop business district. It is considered the most connected airport in the US and the 5th most connected airport in the world. O'Hare has non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the world, including North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic region. It is also a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, with Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines operating bases there.
American Airlines offers more than 400 flights to 115+ destinations in 17 countries from O'Hare, with exclusive lounges and other premium services available at Terminal 3. United Airlines also offers a range of international flights from O'Hare, with Terminal 1 dedicated to its flights, as well as those of Lufthansa and All Nippon Airways.
Delta Air Lines has a smaller presence at O'Hare but also offers international flights, including to its hub at New York's LaGuardia Airport, and to international partners like Air France. Southwest Airlines primarily operates from Midway International Airport, which offers more convenient access to the city but with fewer flights. However, Southwest Airlines flyers can also access destinations from O'Hare, and there are not many destinations served from Midway that cannot be accessed from O'Hare.
In summary, O'Hare International Airport is the main hub for international flights in Chicago, with American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines all offering a range of international destinations. Midway International Airport is a secondary option, with Southwest Airlines operating the majority of flights from this airport.
Jefferson City Airport: Towered or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Travel restrictions and requirements
When travelling to or from Chicago on international flights, there are several travel restrictions and requirements to be aware of. These measures are in place to ensure the safety and security of passengers and to comply with international health and safety guidelines.
Firstly, all passengers travelling internationally are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result. This applies to both
Airports' Strategies for Tackling Flight Delays and Disruptions
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the primary international airport serving Chicago, located on the city's northwest side. It is one of the busiest airports in the country, offering nearly 1,000 daily direct flights to international and domestic destinations.
O'Hare International Airport has four numbered passenger terminals and nine lettered concourses, with a total of 215 gates. Airlines flying from O'Hare include American Airlines, United Airlines, Lufthansa, All Nippon Airways, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Japan Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.
Yes, Midway International Airport (MDW) is the other major airport in Chicago, located on the south side of the city. While it primarily serves domestic destinations, it also offers flights to seven international destinations in Mexico.
