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Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of the busiest airports in the world. The airport's code, ORD, is derived from its previous name, Orchard Field, which was also known as Orchard Place. The Chicago City Council officially renamed Orchard Field as O'Hare International Airport in 1949 to honour World War II naval aviator and war hero Lieutenant Commander Edward Butch O'Hare, a Medal of Honor recipient from Chicago.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | O'Hare International Airport |
| Airport Code | ORD |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois |
| Reputation | Busy, crowded, delayed flights, long lines, inadequate seating, poor cleanliness, impressive train station integration |
| Awards | 2012 Global Traveller Award for Best Airport in North America |
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What You'll Learn
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world
- The airport was built on the site of an aircraft factory
- The airport was originally named Orchard Field, or Orchard Place
- The airport was renamed in 1949 to honour World War II aviator Edward Butch O'Hare
- The airport has won awards for its quality, but some passengers have complained about their experiences
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world
The airport's IATA code is ORD, which stands for Orchard Place, as the site was once an aircraft factory with that name. The airport was renamed Orchard Field Airport in the mid-1940s, and in 1949, it was changed to O'Hare Field to honour local war hero Edward "Butch" O'Hare.
O'Hare has a reputation for being one of the leading financial cities in the world and a hub for business. In 2012, the airport won the Global Traveller Award for the Best Airport in North America for the 13th consecutive year. Chicago's mayor, Lori E. Lightfoot, has emphasised the economic significance of O'Hare, stating that it "connects Chicagoans to the world and the world to Chicagoans."
The airport has undergone modernisation programs, such as the O'Hare Modernization Program, which has reduced avoidable delays and improved operations. These improvements aim to enhance the airport's efficiency and reliability, accommodating the growing demand for air travel through Chicago.
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The airport was built on the site of an aircraft factory
The airport code for Chicago O'Hare International Airport is ORD. ORD is one of the few airport codes that has no connection to the airport's name or the metropolitan area it serves. So, why is this the code for Chicago's airport? Well, the answer lies in the history of the site.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport was built on the site of an aircraft factory known as Orchard Place. The site was once home to a wartime aircraft assembly plant operated by the Douglas Corporation. During World War II, the site served as an airfield for a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports. After the war, the site was renamed Orchard Field Airport in the mid-1940s, and this name change is the origin of the airport code ORD, which stands for OrchaRD.
The use of the site as an aircraft factory and assembly plant played a significant role in its future as an airport. In fact, O'Hare became the first major airport planned after World War II, pioneering innovative designs and concepts such as concourses, direct highway access to the terminals, jet bridges, and underground refuelling systems. The history of aviation and aircraft manufacturing on the site laid the foundation for its transformation into a bustling airport.
The choice to build an airport on this particular site was likely influenced by its previous function as an aircraft factory. The infrastructure and facilities already in place would have been advantageous for developing an airport. Additionally, the location's connection to aviation and its proximity to Chicago may have been strategic factors in the decision-making process.
While the airport has since been renamed O'Hare Airport, honouring the war hero Edward "Butch" O'Hare, the airport code ORD remains a reminder of the site's history as an aircraft factory and assembly plant, playing a pivotal role in aviation long before it became an international airport.
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The airport was originally named Orchard Field, or Orchard Place
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of the busiest airports in the world. The airport is located in Illinois and is known for its buzzing atmosphere, history, and entertainment. The airport is highly rated and even won the Global Traveller Award for the Best Airport in North America 13 years in a row until 2012.
The airport code ORD is seen on flight reservations, luggage tags, airfare tickets, and more. The Chicago Department of Aviation states that the Chicago City Council officially renamed Orchard Field as O'Hare International Airport in 1949. The O'Hare legacy continues to this day, with the airport bearing his name and honouring his memory.
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The airport was renamed in 1949 to honour World War II aviator Edward Butch O'Hare
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is named after World War II aviator Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare. O'Hare was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1914, the son of lawyer Edward Joseph O'Hare and Selma Anna Lauth. After his parents divorced in 1927, Butch and his sisters lived with their mother in St. Louis while their father moved to Chicago. Butch O'Hare graduated from the Western Military Academy in 1932 and went on to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, the following year.
O'Hare became a naval aviator and received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during World War II. He was known for his extreme bravery and was celebrated as a war hero, participating in several war bond tours. O'Hare was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for "extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TWO (VF-2), attached to the U.S.S."
In 1949, Chicago's O'Hare International Airport was renamed to honour Butch O'Hare, who had become a local war hero. The airport, previously known as Orchard Place and Orchard Field, became O'Hare Field. The airport code ORD was derived from the original name, Orchard. Today, O'Hare International Airport is one of the world's busiest airports, offering access to Chicago, a leading financial city and a hub for business.
The legacy of Edward "Butch" O'Hare lives on at the airport that bears his name. A display featuring an F4F Wildcat, identical to the aircraft flown by O'Hare, can be found in Terminal 2. Additionally, an F-15 fighter jet is on display near the airport's rental car facility, honouring O'Hare's service in the U.S. Navy.
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The airport has won awards for its quality, but some passengers have complained about their experiences
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) has been recognised for its quality, winning the Global Traveller Award for the Best Airport in North America for 13 consecutive years, as of 2012. In 2024, O'Hare was also ranked #1 in the U.S. for connectivity by the Official Aviation Guide.
However, some passengers have reported negative experiences at the airport. One passenger complained about the lack of seating, describing the airport as "horrible". Another passenger criticised the airport's cleanliness, stating that the bathrooms were "filthy". The same passenger also noted issues with delayed flights and lost luggage.
Other complaints include rude staff, expensive food, and strict law enforcement regarding curbside pick-up. One passenger recounted an incident where they were not allowed to stop their car at the curb to assist their elderly parents with their luggage, despite their disabilities.
Despite these complaints, some passengers have also shared positive experiences, such as being impressed by the organisation and optimal structure of the train station integrated with the airport terminals.
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Frequently asked questions
ORD.
The airport was built on a site called Orchard Field, also known as Orchard Place. Orchard = ORcharD.
Orchard Place was an aircraft factory.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
