Chicago O'Hare International Airport
About Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the largest airport in Chicago. It was built in 1995 and instantly became the main airport in Chicago as it overtook Chicago Midway International by passenger traffic and size.
The airport was the first major airport built post World War II and was the world's busiest airport from the early 1960s up until the late 1990s. Today, it remains as one of the top 10 busiest airports in the world, with over 80 million passengers served per year.
Chicago O'Hare underwent a major expansion in 1962 with the creation of Terminal 2 and 3. It expanded again in 1985 when United built a new Terminal 1 that featured two concourses. Additional terminals were built in the years following. The terminals are numbered 1–5, with Terminal 4 no longest existing.
Chicago O'Hare will undergo a massive terminal redevelopment plan that will see all terminal floor spaces expand. All redevelopment is set to be finished by 2028.
The airport is a major hub for both American Airlines and United Airlines.
What is the airport code for Chicago O'hare International Airport?
The airport code for Chicago O'Hare International Airport is ORD.
Airport Location
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is located Northwest of Chicago, Illinois. It can take anywhere from a 30-minute drive to over an hour to reach the airport from downtown Chicago.
Facilities
Credit: N i c o l a on Flickr
Facilities Include:
- WIFI
- Power stations
- Lounges
- Banking
- Special services
- On-site hotel
- Yoga room
- Mother's room
- Aeroponic garden
- Hilton Health Club
- Chapel
Lounges Include:
Terminal 1
- United Club (x4)
Terminal 2
- United Club
- Delta Sky Club
Terminal 3
- Admiral's Club (x3)
- American Flagship Lounge (x2)
Terminal 5
- Air France/KLM
- British Airways First Class Lounge
- British Airways Terraces Lounge
- SAS Lounge
- Swiss/Austrian Airlines Lounge
- Swissport Lounge
Book Lounge Passes for Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Did you know that you can buy lounge passes for Chicago O'Hare International Airport with Alternative Airlines? You can purchase them for Air France - KLM Lounge.
Runways
Credit: Ron Reiring on Flickr
Chicago O'Hare has two sets of runways (five in total). The south side runways are a set of three — 10L/28R, 10C/28C and 10R/28L and the north side runways are a set of two — 9L/27R and 9R/27L, with a new terminal projected to be completed in 2020.
Previous runways were 18/36 (closed in 2003) and 14L/32R (closed in 2015).
Terminals
Chicago O'Hare International has four terminals in total. The terminals are numbered Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3 and Terminal 5. Terminal 4 was a temporary terminal that is now shut.
Terminal 1
Terminal 1 was built when the airport opened and then expanded and rebuilt in 1985. The terminal is exclusively a domestic terminal and facilitates all of United Airlines domestic flights. The terminal is attached to Concourse A and Concourse B.
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 was built in 1962 and is exclusively a domestic terminal. The terminal is attached to Conrouse E and Concourse F. The terminal has three lounges — Delta Sky Club, United Club and Admirals Club.
Terminal 3
Along with Terminal 2, Terminal 3 was created in 1962 and is also exclusively a domestic terminal. The terminal is attached to Councouses G, H, K and L. Although domestic, many international airlines
Terminal 5
Terminal 5 was built in 1993 and — as the only terminal with Customs screening — is the only terminal that facilitates inbound international flights.
The terminal is also home to most of the airline lounges within the airport, including lounges from KLM, British Airways, SWISS and Air France.
Airlines that fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
| AIRLINE | COUNTRY FROM |
|---|---|
| Aer Lingus | Ireland |
| Aeroflot | Russia |
| Aeromexico & Aeromexico Connect | Mexico |
| Air Canada | Canada |
| Air China | China |
| Air France | France |
| Air Italy | Italy |
| Air New Zealand | New Zealand |
| Air Tahiti Nui | France |
| Alaska Airlines | USA |
| Alitalia | Italy |
| All Nippon Airways | Japan |
| Allegiant Air | USA |
| American Airlines | USA |
| American Eagle | USA |
| Asiana Airlines | South Korea |
| Austrian Airlines | Austria |
| Avianca | Colombia |
| Avianca Costa Rica | Costa Rica |
| Avianca El Salvador | El Salvador |
| Boutique Air | USA |
| British Airways | England |
| Cathay Pacific | Hong Kong |
| China Airlines | China |
| China Eastern | China |
| China Southern | China |
| Copa Airlines | Panama |
| Delta & Delta Connection | USA |
| El Al | Israel |
| Emirates | UAE |
| Etihad Airways | UAE |
| EVA Air | Taiwan |
| Fiji Airways | Fiji |
| Finnair | Finland |
| Frontier Airlines | USA |
| Hainan Airlines | China |
| Hawaiian Airlines | USA |
| Hong Kong Airlines | Hong Kong |
| Iberia | Spain |
| Iceland Air | Iceland |
| Interjet | Mexico |
| Japan Airlines | Japan |
| JetBlue | USA |
| KLM | Netherlands |
| Korean Air | South Korea |
| LOT Polish Airlines | Poland |
| Lufthansa | Germany |
| Norwegian | Norway |
| Qatar Airways | Qatar |
| Royal Jordanian | Jordan |
| Scandinavian Airlines | Sweden, Norway, Denmark |
| Spirit Airlines | USA |
| Sun Country Airlines | USA |
| SWISS | Switzerland |
| TAP Air Portugal | Portugal |
| Turkish Airlines | Turkey |
| United Air Lines & United Express | USA |
| Volaris | Mexico |
Top Destinations
Top International Routes
2016| Rank | Destination | Passengers | Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | London-Heathrow | 1,037,444 | American Airlines, British Airways, United |
| 2 | Toronto-Pearson | 887,663 | Air Canada, American Airlines, United |
| 3 | Tokyo-Narita | 685,067 | ANA, American Airlines, JAL, United |
| 4 | Frankfurt | 607,328 | Lufthansa, United |
| 5 | Cancún | 522,129 | American Airlines, Frontier Spirit, United |
Top Domestic Routes
May 2018–April 2019| Rank | Destination | Passengers | Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York–LaGuardia, New York | 1,598,000 | American Airlines, Delta, Spirit, United |
| 2 | Los Angeles, California | 1,397,000 | Alaska, American Airlines, Spirit, United |
| 3 | San Francisco, California | 1,114,000 | Alaska, American Airlines, United |
| 4 | Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas | 1,058,000 | American Airlines, Spirit, United |
| 5 | Denver, Colorado | 992,000 | American Airlines, Frontier, Spirit, United |
How to get to Los Angeles International Airport
By driving
Parking is available at the airport. There are over 10 different rental car companies at Chicago O'Hare. All rental car companies are situated at the Multi-Modal Facility. You can get to the Multi-Modal Facility via the airport's free 24-hour shuttle bus from the Lower Level of the airport. Buses will read 'Rental Cars/ Parking Lot F.
By taxi
Taxis can be flagged down on the street but make sure they're licensed. The safest and most convenient way to order a taxi is to get whoever is providing your accommodation to arrange one for you. If you're travelling from the suburbs, it's best to contact a local taxi company.
Taxis roughly cost $40 USD from Downtown Chicago to Chicago O'Hare.
By rail
There are two main train companies that travel to Chicago O'Hare International.
The first and cheapest way is the Blue Line Train, also known as the Blue Line 'L' (people in Chicago nickname this train the 'L'). This is a rapid-transit system that runs 24 hours a day from Chicago O'Hare to Forest Park Terminal, stopping in Downtown Chicago. The Blue Line Train will drop you off at the lower level of the parking garage.
Tickets can be bought via machines outside of stations and can be paid for using either cash or card.
The second train is Metra. The North Central Service train line is the Metra line that travels to Chicago O'Hare. To get to Chicago O'Hare, you must get off at the O'Hare Transfer Station stop, where you can then get a Shuttle Bus to the airport terminal.
Metra's North Central Service line runs to the airport from downtown Chicago and suburban areas.
By bus
To travel to Chicago O'Hare via bus, you must use the bus company Pace. Pace buses travel to Chicago O'Hare daily via the Pace Route 250, which travels from Des Plaines Metra station and downtown Evanston via Dempster Avenue.
Pace Route 330 travels on every day except Sunday and travels to the airport from Archer Ave/Harlem Ave in Summit.