Chicago Meeting Professionals Guide • 2026 • INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

Conveniently situated in the center of the country, it’s easy to meet at Chicago’s two first-class airports, whether arriving from the east, west, north, or south. Chicago likes things in twos: two Major League Baseball teams, two major daily newspapers, and two international airports! There is nowhere else on earth like Chicago. From the moment you arrive at Chicago O’Hare or Midway International Airports, you will be connected to the Second City, which is second to none.

O’Hare International Airport lies just 17 miles from downtown Chicago and is one of the most connected airport hubs in the country. O’Hare has eight total runways — the most of any commercial airport in the United States. A mere 10 miles from downtown, Midway is a premier point-to-point airport for leisure and business travel.

Connect with colleagues, family, and friends in Chicago. OAG, the leading data platform for the global travel industry, ranked O’Hare the #1 Most Connected Airport in the United States and #7 worldwide in 2025.

Chicago’s airports are hubs to three of the four largest carriers in the United States — American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. Four airlines offer dual services out of O’Hare and Midway: Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Volaris.

Combined, Chicago’s airports welcomed more than 100 million passengers in 2023. Nearly 50 passenger airlines provide service to Chicago from more than 290 cities worldwide, giving attendees great travel flexibility.

This is an exciting time for Chicago’s airports. Major investments have been made at O’Hare to provide passengers with an experience fit for the global gateway that it is.

In November 2024, a new six-story parking garage opened at Terminal 5 — more than doubling the available parking spaces. The garage provides 1,700 short-term, long-term, and premium parking spaces. The garage also features park assist technology and electric vehicle charging stations. The garage connects to Terminal 5 via a pedestrian bridge.

Whether arriving early at the airport or waiting for others to arrive in Chicago, travelers can work or relax in the various airline club lounges. Day passes can be purchased by non-members at most of the clubs. At O’Hare, the most recent lounges to open are the LOT Business Lounge and Air France Lounge in Terminal 5, which both feature areas for relaxation, work, and dining.

The United Club in Terminal 1 occupies 17,000 square feet and is nearly twice the size of the previous United Club it replaced near Gate 16. With available seating for 400, there is no shortage of space for lounge-goers to work at individual tables, one-person desks, couches, lounge chairs, and coworking-style desks. The American Airlines’ Admiral’s Club in Terminal 3 will also receive a refresh as part of the ElevateT3 development project.

From America’s Dog to Wow Bao, O’Hare offers a variety of drink, snack, and meal choices to meet all dietary needs, appetites, and culinary desires. For passengers traveling through O’Hare who wish to shop, the vast options include clothing, toys, books, technology, makeup and perfumes, and shoes, in addition to other specialty items, services, and amenities.

Vending machines are located throughout the airport, providing a 24-hour option for travelers to purchase everything from bandages to hosiery to LEGOs. Traveling families can purchase diapers, wipes, pacifiers, formula, bottles, snacks, and children’s activity kits. Hudson Nonstop in Terminals 1 and 3 offers travelers a fast and convenient way to shop for must-have essentials, food and beverages, and local souvenirs. Hudson Nonstop is powered by Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” technology, which allows passengers to enter the store by inserting their credit card or tapping their mobile wallet at the entry gate, selecting their items, and walking out without any checkout lines.

O’Hare has also expanded the mobile ORDer program powered by Servy beyond Terminal 5 to Terminals 1, 2, and 3, adding new options throughout the airport. Travelers can search, order, and pay for food, beverages, and retail products from their phones for pick up.

A mix of new food, beverage, and retail spots have made their way to both ends of the modernized Terminal 5. The locations prominently feature both national and Chicago-based brands:

At Chicago’s Southwest Side airport, passengers are treated to a collection of Chicago favorites while enjoying an elevated travel experience, thanks to the Midway Modernization Program — the most significant capital program at Midway in nearly 20 years.

The redeveloped Central Market, located at the intersection of Concourses A and B, is home to a mix of new and existing brands with diverse ownership teams. Food, beverage, and retail locations include:

The airport now boasts nearly 70 concession brands, and the expansion increased Midway’s total concessions area from 40,000 square feet to more than 70,000 square feet.

For the first time in the airport’s 96-year history, Midway offers a shared-use passenger lounge. The Club MDW opened in September 2024 and is conveniently located in the airport’s Central Market at the intersection of Concourses A and B. It is available for all travelers regardless of airline and class of service, and it offers complimentary food and beverage service to all patrons in an inviting, relaxing environment. The lounge is accessible through Priority Pass, the world’s largest airport lounge membership program.

Whether meeting near the airports, downtown, or in the suburbs, there are many ways to get to and from the airports.

Public transportation on Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) ‘L’ trains offers easy and economical travel. The CTA Blue Line — conveniently connected to Terminals 1, 2, and 3 — travels between O’Hare Station and the downtown Loop. Transfers from Terminal 5 are available on the ATS train.

The CTA Orange Line travels between Midway Station and the downtown Loop. Located next to the airport terminal, it is connected by an enclosed walkway.

Several airport shuttles, hotel shuttles, and regional buses service O’Hare and Midway, offering transportation for passengers in the city, suburbs, and surrounding states.

Passengers can also utilize the Metra North Central Service train line via the O’Hare Transfer Station to downtown Union Station. The Metra rail station is located outside the northeast corner of the Multi-Modal Facility.

The 2.5-million-square-foot Multi-Modal Facility is a state-of-the-art building that opened at O’Hare in 2018 and consolidates all rental cars. Eleven major rental car companies are located under one roof and are easily accessible from the terminals via the ATS train. It is also a centralized location for Economy Parking (Lot F), Kiss ‘n’ Fly, suburban Pace buses, and Metra rail. Shuttle pick-up and drop-off to the facility operates 24/7 and is scheduled to run every 15 minutes.

Midway’s rental car facility hosts all rental car companies (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Corporate Rent A Car) in one convenient location. Shuttles operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are scheduled to run every 15 minutes. The facility is located at 5150 W. 55th St.

Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft are available at specific O’Hare and Midway locations. Taxis, as well as private transportation such as limos, all have dedicated pick-up locations immediately outside the baggage claim levels.

Chicago’s airports are fully accessible to all passengers. In 2025, sensory maps, “point-of-view” videos, sensory bags, and social stories are among the newest resources designed to help neurodivergent travelers, specifically those with sensory sensitivities, feel more comfortable or prepare for their experience at Chicago’s airports.

The Companion Plus Restroom at O’Hare is a first-of-its-kind amenity providing a restroom, shower, and other ADA features for disabled passengers. It is located in Terminal 2 near security checkpoint 5 (Gate F3).

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program offers additional support to travelers with invisible disabilities, such as autism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and hearing loss. Lanyards, bracelets, hats, and other sunflower items with a green background and a sunflower enables individuals to discreetly indicate that they have a nonvisible disability and may need additional assistance, understanding, or more time. Sunflower lanyards and basic information cards are available at all information desks at O’Hare and Midway.

Eleven parent-friendly Mamava lactation pods are conveniently located at the airports to augment the Mother’s Rooms already in place. The pods are freestanding spaces intentionally designed with easy-to-clean surfaces and app-enabled access for a comfortable and private option to breastfeed or pump.

Passengers who are blind or have low vision can receive assistance with the help of the Aira app, which is free for users inside both airports. The app connects users with a trained visual interpreter, who will provide assistance from information conveyed by surroundings either from a camera view or what is shared on a screen.

Travelers Aid Chicago at O’Hare and Volunteer Information Services at Midway are both programs that provide resources and information to passengers traveling through the airports.

These stations are available in the baggage claim areas of all terminals at both O’Hare and Midway. They are located adjacent to the information desks and provide basic tools to assist travelers in adjusting or repairing their mobility devices independently.

Interior and exterior service animal relief areas (SARAs) are available at both airports for passenger convenience.

TSA Cares is a national program offering travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, or other special circumstances the opportunity to receive additional assistance during the security screening process. Travelers can call (855) 787-2227 at least 72 hours prior to travel to request support or complete the request form online at www.tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) are available on the lower level just outside baggage claim at every terminal. WAV service is provided through city taxis, as well as Uber WAV and Lyft WAV rideshare options — which, unlike standard rideshare pickups, are available at the lower level of every terminal.

Chicago Meeting Professionals Guide - 2026

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

A GUIDE TO CHICAGO O’HARE AND MIDWAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

Issue List

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020