CONTENTS FEATURES RESOURCES CHICAGO O’HARE & MIDWAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS Midway International Airport Chicago sits conveniently in the center of the country and boasts two award-winning airports. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) lies just 17 miles from downtown Chicago and is one of the busiest hubs in the country. A mere 10 miles from downtown, Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is a premier point-to-point airport, offering leisure and business travel to nearly 80 destinations. from Chicago to over 250 destinations worldwide, offering visitors their choice of carrier. Four airlines offer flights out of both O’Hare and Midway: Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Volaris. This is the most exciting time for Chicago’s airports in 30 years — travel is rebounding and with the support of its partner airlines, the two airports are thinking big for the future. next area of focus — its terminals. The “O’Hare 21” project is well underway and will enhance the experience from curb to gate for millions of passengers arriving each year. At the forefront are plans to redevelop Terminal 2 into the O’Hare Global Terminal and add two new satellite concourses. At 2.25 million square feet, this will more than double the space of today’s Terminal 2, replacing it with an expansive light-filled arrivals hall with additional gates, concessions, and amenities; new baggage systems; and advanced security screening. American Airlines, United Airlines, and their alliance partners will be able to consolidate operations here, meaning easier domestic and international connections. 10 NEW GATES AT TERMINAL 5 At 350,000 square feet, the Terminal 5 extension at O’Hare now boasts bigger gate areas, expanded seating, new restrooms, and more amenities — with additional restaurants and shops coming in 2023. Seven new gates in Concourse M opened in 2022, with three more opening in 2023. Large bright windows offer airfield views, while open seating areas, modern furniture, and plentiful charging stations provide comfort and convenience. The expansion brings the total number of security checkpoint lanes to 13 and also improves immigration facilities. A NEW HOME FOR DELTA IN TERMINAL 5 In October 2022, Delta Air Lines relocated from Terminal 2 to the newly renovated Terminal 5. The move enables Delta Air Lines and its SkyTeam partners to combine domestic and international flights within the same terminal — making connections quick and seamless. Relax and recharge before flights at the new Delta Sky Club. At over 22,000 square feet, it is four times the size of the previous O’Hare location and the largest premium passenger lounge that Delta offers outside of its hub airports. NEW AT MIDWAY The Midway Modernization Program — the most significant capital program at Midway in nearly 20 years — elevates the travel experience for visitors and is nearly complete, preparing the airport for future growth. SHOP, DRINK & DINE Over the last several years, restaurant and retail openings included 30 locations, including Café Descartes (specialty coffee drinks), Gene’s Bistro (crowd-pleasing salads and sandwiches) and Billy Goat Tavern (an undisputed Chicago landmark). The newest offerings? Local favorite Garrett Popcorn Shops near Gate B1 and cocktails, seafood, burgers, and more at The Orange Line near Gate B19. DOUBLE THE CAPACITY An 80,000-square-foot security pavilion opened in September 2020, touting new technology and a wider, streamlined TSA checkpoint with 23 lanes that double previous capacity while maintaining the highest levels of security. Visitors will see reduced wait times during peak periods with the TSA now able to process as many as 5,000 passengers per hour. Visit flychicago.com and follow @fly2ohare @fly2midway for more updates and travel tips. ABEL ARCINIEGA MOST CONNECTED AIRPORT IN THE WORLD In 2022, O’Hare took the title of “most connected airport in the world” for the first time since 2016, replacing London for the top spot according to Official Aviation Guide (OAG) — the global authority on air service information. Chicago’s airports are hubs to three of the four largest carriers in the United States — American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. More than 45 passenger airlines provide nonstop service NEW AT O’HARE An ambitious plan to modernize the airfield was completed in 2021 and O’Hare now has eight total runways — the most of any commercial airport in the United States. This historic project (building four new runways, extending two existing runways, and constructing two new Air Traffic Control towers) has improved capacity, efficiency, and reliability in all weather conditions. Following the major investments on the airfield, O’Hare is pivoting to the 60 choosechicago.com
Chicago Visitors Guide 2023: Page 60
