Roberta Aguirre
Chicago Midway International Airport, originally named Chicago Air Park, was built in 1923 and has been a hub for air travel ever since. The airport has seen several airlines come and go over the years, including United, American, TWA, Northwest, Eastern, Braniff, Pennsylvania Central, and C&S. Today, the airport is served by a variety of domestic and international airlines, including Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Volaris, and Porter. With cheap flights starting at $24, the airport offers travellers affordable options for reaching their desired destinations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Midway International Airport |
| Location | Chicago |
| Transport Links | Orange Line, Pace bus operator, River Valley Metro |
| Airlines | Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Porter, Frontier, Volaris |
| Historical Airlines | United Air Lines, American, TWA, Northwest, Eastern, Braniff, Pennsylvania Central, C&S |
| Year Built | 1923 |
| Year Renamed from Chicago Air Park | 1927 |
| Year Passed LaGuardia as Busiest Airline Airport | 1948 |
| Year O'Hare Opened | 1955 |
| Year O'Hare's New Terminal Opened | 1962 |
| Year United Was Alone at Midway | 1966-1968 |
| Year Reconstruction Began | 1967 |
| Year City Invested $10 Million in Renovation Funds | 1968 |
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What You'll Learn
Airlines: Delta Air Lines, Southwest, Porter, Volaris, and Frontier
Midway International Airport, originally named Chicago Air Park, is located in Chicago, Illinois. The airport is served by several airlines, including Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Porter Airlines, Volaris, and Frontier Airlines.
Delta Air Lines offers flights from Midway International Airport to various destinations, including Atlanta, Phoenix, Tampa, and Orlando. Travelocity is a popular website for booking Delta flights from Midway International Airport, with fares starting at $49.
Southwest Airlines serves both Chicago Midway International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The airline offers low fares and convenient flight times to Chicago, with connections to the city's extensive public transportation network.
Porter Airlines also serves Chicago Midway International Airport and offers complimentary snacks and beverages onboard their flights. Parking options at the airport include economy lots, the terminal garage, and daily lots.
Volaris provides flights from Chicago, with fares starting at $88.
Frontier Airlines launched new nonstop routes from Chicago Midway International Airport in April 2022, making it their primary airport in Chicago. The airline offers low fares, customisable travel options, and a frequent flyer program called FRONTIER Miles.
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History: Originally Chicago Air Park, built in 1923
Midway International Airport, originally named Chicago Air Park, was built on a 320-acre plot of land in 1923. It featured a single cinder runway and was primarily used for airmail services. Three years later, in 1926, the city leased the airport, and on December 12, 1927, it was officially named Chicago Municipal Airport.
By 1928, just a year after its naming, the airport had expanded significantly, boasting twelve hangars and four runways equipped with lighting for night operations. This rapid growth positioned the airport to become one of the busiest aviation hubs in the country. However, a significant setback occurred on June 25, 1930, when a major fire destroyed two hangars and twenty-seven aircraft, resulting in a loss of over two million dollars. Despite this tragedy, the airport persevered and continued its operations.
In 1931, a new passenger terminal opened on 62nd Street, and the following year, the airport proudly proclaimed itself the "World's Busiest," accommodating over 100,846 passengers on 60,947 flights. This claim was further solidified in 1939, when a record of 47 weekday departures was achieved, surpassing New York's LaGuardia Airport, which held the title of the busiest airline airport in the United States at the time.
As the airport continued to flourish, it underwent various renovations and expansions to accommodate increasing air traffic. In 1948, Midway Airport surpassed LaGuardia Airport in terms of passenger traffic and maintained its status as the busiest airport until 1960. During this period, the airport played a pivotal role in record-breaking aviation feats, such as the 1945 Japan–Washington flight of B-29s, which refuelled at Midway en route to Washington, DC.
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Transport: Served by bus and train services
Midway International Airport is conveniently connected to Chicago's public transportation system. The Orange Line train provides a direct link to the city centre (The Loop) in approximately 30 minutes. The Orange Line also connects to other train lines, enabling passengers to travel across Chicago and beyond. For those travelling by bus, the Pace suburban bus operator serves Midway Station, providing connections to the surrounding areas. Additionally, the River Valley Metro operates regional bus services to Manteno and Bourbonnais in Kankakee County, offering further transport options for those travelling to and from the airport. These bus and train services make Midway Airport easily accessible for both locals and visitors to Chicago.
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Location: Surrounded by buildings, unable to expand
Midway International Airport, also known as Chicago Midway Airport, is surrounded by buildings on all sides, which has prevented it from expanding its infrastructure. The airport's runways are too short to safely accommodate larger four-engine jetliners, such as the Boeing 707 and the Douglas DC-8, which were introduced in 1959. As a result, Chicago jet flights were redirected to O'Hare Airport, which opened in 1955. Despite its limitations, Midway Airport has undergone renovations and remains a significant aviation hub.
The history of Midway Airport dates back to 1923 when it was established as Chicago Air Park on a 320-acre plot with a single cinder runway primarily intended for airmail flights. In 1926, the city leased the airport, and it was renamed Chicago Municipal Airport in 1927. By 1928, the airport had expanded to twelve hangars and four runways, enabling night operations with illuminated runways. Unfortunately, a major fire in 1930 destroyed several hangars and aircraft, dealing a significant setback to the airport's early development.
Despite the challenges posed by its location, Midway Airport has undergone significant renovations and expansions over the years. In 1967, reconstruction added three new concourses with 28 gates and improved ticketing facilities. The city also invested $10 million in renovation funds in 1968, demonstrating a commitment to the airport's development. Additionally, in 2000, a pedestrian bridge was constructed over Cicero Avenue, improving access to the airport. The following year, a new 900,000-square-foot terminal building opened, offering larger ticket counters, spacious baggage claim areas, and enhanced traveler information services.
Today, Midway Airport serves as a base for Southwest Airlines, which carries over 90% of the airport's passengers. The airport also welcomes flights from various other carriers, including Delta Air Lines, Porter, Frontier, and Volaris. Despite being constrained by its location, Midway Airport continues to play a crucial role in Chicago's aviation network, providing convenient access to the city centre and serving a diverse range of travellers.
While Midway Airport has adapted and thrived despite its limitations, its inability to expand has had consequences. The airport's shorter runways and lack of advanced landing systems have led to challenges during low-visibility conditions. These limitations have resulted in delays and diversions, particularly during periods of dense fog. However, it's important to note that such weather conditions requiring advanced landing systems are not frequent occurrences. Overall, Midway Airport's location, surrounded by buildings, has shaped its development and operations, presenting both challenges and opportunities.
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$9.97
Incidents: United Air Lines Flight 553 crashed in 1972
On December 8, 1972, United Air Lines Flight 553, a Boeing 737-200, crashed into a residential area outside Midway Airport during landing. The aircraft was on a scheduled service from Washington National Airport to Omaha, Nebraska, with a stop at Chicago Midway International Airport. It was the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 737, which had entered airline service nearly five years earlier in February 1968.
The flight-deck crew consisted of Captain Wendell Lewis Whitehouse, First Officer Walter O. Coble, and Second Officer Barry J. Elder. Captain Whitehouse was a highly experienced pilot with approximately 18,000 flight hours to his credit, including more than 2,400 flight hours on the Boeing 737 cockpit.
As the plane approached Midway Airport, the Chicago controller asked the pilots to abort the landing due to a slower Aero Commander landing ahead of them. The pilots followed the instructions and climbed to 1,000 feet. However, the stick shaker suddenly activated, and they applied full power and retracted the landing gear. Unfortunately, the plane lost altitude, struck a tree, and crashed into a row of bungalows on West 70th Place, killing 43 of the 61 persons aboard and two people in one of the homes.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the crash and discovered that the aircraft's Flight Data Recorder (FDR) was not functioning. Performance studies and simulator tests revealed that the aircraft was in a high-drag configuration, with landing gear down, flaps at 30 degrees, and spoilers extended to the flight detent position. Pilot error was identified as a factor in the crash.
The FBI also conducted an investigation into the matter, but it was terminated within 20 hours with no indication of any violation of the DAMV or CAA Statutes. The crash of United Air Lines Flight 553 remains a tragic incident in the history of Midway Airport and the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 737-200. Today, Midway International Airport is served by various airlines, including Delta Air Lines, Frontier, Volaris, and Porter, offering passengers a range of travel options and experiences.
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Frequently asked questions
Midway International Airport.
Chicago, Illinois.
Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Volaris, and Porter Airlines.
The Orange Line train, bus, car, or regional services to Manteno and Bourbonnais in Kankakee County.
Southwest Airlines offers flights starting at $39, and Volaris is a leading low-cost carrier in Mexico.
