Ruth Haines
Chicago is home to two major airports: O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. O'Hare, located on the northwest side of Chicago, is one of the busiest airports in the world, with nearly 1,000 daily direct flights to and from international and domestic destinations. On the other hand, Midway, located on the south side of Chicago, is less busy, with around 220 flights each day, mostly to domestic destinations. Chicago's two airports offer travellers a range of options in terms of flight schedules and destinations, contributing to the city's accessibility and appeal as a travel hub.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports in Chicago | 2 |
| Names of the airports | O'Hare International Airport, Midway International Airport |
| Location of O'Hare International Airport | Northwest side of Chicago |
| Location of Midway International Airport | South side of Chicago |
| Number of terminals at O'Hare | 4 |
| Number of concourses at Midway | 3 |
| Number of daily flights from O'Hare | Nearly 1000 |
| Number of daily flights from Midway | 220 |
| Destinations served by O'Hare | International and domestic |
| Destinations served by Midway | Primarily domestic, with flights to Mexico |
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What You'll Learn
- O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world
- O'Hare has four terminals with a range of shopping and dining options
- Chicago Midway International Airport is less busy than O'Hare, with primarily domestic flights
- Midway has three concourses with shopping and dining, but no lounges
- O'Hare became famous during the jet age, when it was the world's busiest airport
O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world
O'Hare International Airport in Chicago is one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2022, it was ranked as the fourth busiest airport in the world, with 68.3 million passengers, according to preliminary global air traffic figures. This is a 26.5% increase from 2021, when it also ranked fourth and saw more than 54 million passengers. O'Hare has consistently ranked among the busiest airports worldwide, previously holding the distinction as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998.
O'Hare's high ranking is partly due to the large number of regional flights it handles. In 2019, the airport recorded 919,704 aircraft movements, averaging 2,520 per day, the most of any airport in the world. The airport is a hub for major airlines such as American Airlines and United Airlines, as well as an operating base for Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines.
Designed as the successor to Chicago's Midway International Airport, O'Hare began as an airfield serving a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports during World War II. Chicago recognised the need for increased airport capacity as early as 1926, shortly after the opening of Chicago Municipal Airport. However, progress was slow until the post-World War II era, when improvements such as the addition of O'Hare's first international terminal in 1958 and subsequent expansions attracted airlines to the airport.
Today, O'Hare is considered the most connected airport in the United States and the fifth most connected airport worldwide. Its ranking as one of the busiest airports globally reflects its importance as a major transportation hub, facilitating travel and connections for millions of passengers each year.
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O'Hare has four terminals with a range of shopping and dining options
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of the biggest and busiest airports in the world. It has four terminals with a range of shopping and dining options.
Terminal 1 offers a great variety of dining options, including local favourites like Tortas Frontera, sushi at Wicker Park, and sandwiches from Berghoff Café. Terminal 2 has limited seating but offers quick bites such as Manchu Wok and Mediterranean options at La Tapenade. It also houses the Terminal Getaway Spa, which provides a tranquil space for deep tissue massages, manicures, pedicures, and other treatments. The Hilton Chicago O'Hare hotel, accessible via Terminal 2, offers a traditional men's barber shop with grooming treatments for gentlemen on the go.
Terminal 5 features a 24-hour Dunkin' Donuts for early birds, night owls, and everyone in between. While specific dining options for Terminal 3 are not mentioned, O'Hare International Airport, in general, offers a wide range of dining options to suit all tastes, dietary needs, and schedules, according to reviews on Yelp, Google Reviews, and TripAdvisor.
O'Hare International Airport has evolved into an attraction in its own right, with plenty of upgrades and additions that make it a great place to dine, drink, shop, and pamper yourself while awaiting your flight.
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Chicago Midway International Airport is less busy than O'Hare, with primarily domestic flights
Chicago Midway International Airport is a hub for Southwest Airlines and primarily serves domestic destinations. It also offers flights with other full-service carriers, such as Delta Air Lines, and low-cost options like Allegiant Air and Volaris. The airport has about 10 daily direct flights to 11 international destinations, including Mexico, Canada and Jamaica. However, it does not offer flights to Japan or Europe. With just over 22 million passengers, it is less busy than O'Hare.
In contrast, O'Hare International Airport is a major hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, serving several domestic and international destinations. It is also a focus city for low-cost carriers, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. O'Hare has a vast route network that spans the globe, offering flights that require a passport. According to the Chicago Department of Aviation, O'Hare welcomed approximately 73.9 million passengers in 2023, making it one of the busiest airports in the world by annual passenger traffic.
The difference in the number of passengers can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, O'Hare has a more extensive route network, attracting passengers travelling to international destinations. Secondly, O'Hare is a hub for multiple airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, which started flying from O'Hare in 2021. This provides passengers with more options and convenience when choosing their preferred airline.
Additionally, the location of the airports plays a role in their passenger volume. O'Hare is located in the far northwest of Chicago, while Midway is situated deep in the Southwest Side, closer to downtown. The proximity to downtown makes Midway a preferred choice for travellers headed to the city centre, as it offers shorter commute times and easier access. However, travellers to other neighbourhoods or the suburbs may prefer O'Hare for its convenience, despite the potential traffic and longer drives.
The design and layout of the airports also contribute to the difference in busyness. O'Hare's sprawl of runways and terminals can lead to long taxi times and unexpected delays. Additionally, Terminal 5, where most international flights operate, is not connected to the rest of the terminals, causing inconvenience for connecting passengers. In contrast, Midway has one large terminal with gates divided into two areas, making it more efficient for passengers to navigate and connect to their next flight.
In summary, Chicago Midway International Airport is less busy than O'Hare, primarily due to its focus on domestic flights and smaller route network. O'Hare's status as a major international hub, its location, and its position as a hub for multiple airlines contribute to its higher passenger volume. However, Midway's convenience, shorter commute, and efficient terminal layout make it a preferred choice for travellers headed to downtown Chicago.
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Midway has three concourses with shopping and dining, but no lounges
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is the second-largest airport in the city, consisting of one terminal with three concourses: A, B, and C. Each concourse serves several airlines to numerous destinations. While MDW does not have any traditional airline lounges, it does offer a variety of dining and shopping options, as well as other amenities for travellers.
Concourse B, the longest of the three, boasts a wide range of shops and restaurants. It serves as a hub for Southwest Airlines, with over 5000 flights to more than 50 local and international destinations every month. Passengers can find diverse food and shopping options, including restaurants, bars, high-end stores, and gift shops.
Concourse A offers a range of amenities, including a kid's play area, lactation pods, visual paging, security checkpoint family lanes, and business facilities such as laptop terminals, power stations, and workstations with lap tables. It also provides tourist wheelchair accessibility and an indoor Service Animal Relief Area.
Concourse C, the smallest of the three concourses, features the USO Lounge, a dedicated space for travelling military personnel and their families. The USO Lounge provides a "home away from home" experience with complimentary amenities, including internet access, computers, printers, fax services, calling cards, and telephone services. The lounge also offers a snack bar, beverages, and entertainment options such as reading materials, television, and games.
In addition to the dining and shopping options within the concourses, MDW also has 33 restaurants, cafes, and fast-food counters located throughout the airport, including a food court in Concourse A. The airport also features The Club MDW, which is located at the entrance to Concourse B and is accessible to all travellers for a fee. This lounge offers a relaxing space for passengers to wait for their flights and is part of the Priority Pass network, allowing free access to members.
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O'Hare became famous during the jet age, when it was the world's busiest airport
Chicago has two major airports: O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. O'Hare, located on the northwest side of Chicago, became famous during the jet age, when it was the world's busiest airport from 1963 to 1998.
O'Hare's history dates back to World War II when it served as a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters. The site, known as Orchard Place, was chosen for its easy access to Chicago's large workforce, railroads, and distance from enemy threats. The airfield, called Douglas Airport, had four 5,500-foot runways.
After the war, Chicago invested heavily in O'Hare, recognising the need for more airport capacity. However, in the late 1950s, Midway Airport was still the world's busiest, and airlines were reluctant to move to O'Hare. O'Hare's first international terminal opened in 1958, and by 1959, the airport had expanded significantly with new facilities. The expressway link to downtown Chicago, the Kennedy Expressway, was completed in 1960, improving access.
The introduction of jet airliners was a pivotal moment for O'Hare. In July 1962, the last fixed-wing scheduled airline flight in Chicago moved from Midway to O'Hare, and by 1963, O'Hare had become the world's busiest airport, serving 10 million passengers annually. This number doubled within two years, solidifying O'Hare's reputation as a busy aviation hub.
Today, O'Hare remains one of the busiest airports in the world, with nearly 1,000 daily direct flights to domestic and international destinations. Its cargo facilities are also impressive, offering 2 million square feet of airside cargo space and warehousing capability. O'Hare's accessibility, range of destinations, and high volume of regional flights contribute to its enduring popularity.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicago has 2 major airports—O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport—because it needed more airport capacity than Chicago Municipal Airport could provide when it opened in 1926.
O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2019, it had 919,704 aircraft movements, averaging 2,520 per day. It was the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998.
Midway is less busy than O'Hare, with around 220 flights each day to primarily domestic destinations and seven international destinations in Mexico.
O'Hare is much larger than Midway, with four terminals compared to Midway's one. O'Hare also has lounges, while Midway does not, except for a USO centre for military personnel and their families.
Both airports are easily accessible via public transportation. O'Hare is served by the Chicago "L", airport shuttle, bus, or taxi. Interstate 190 (Kennedy Expressway) goes directly into the airport. Midway can be reached by the Chicago Transit Authority's Orange Line trains, CTA buses, Pace buses, regional and shuttle buses, taxi, rideshare, or car.
