O'Hare International Airport

"Ohare" redirects here. For people with that name, see O'Hare (surname).

Chicago O'Hare International Airport
USGS aerial image, 2011
IATA: ORD – ICAO: KORD – FAA LID: ORD
Summary
Airport type		Public
Owner		City of Chicago
Operator		Chicago Department of Aviation
Serves		Chicago, Illinois, United States
Hub for		Air Choice One American Airlines United Airlines
Focus city for		Spirit Airlines
Elevation AMSL		668 ft / 204 m
Coordinates		41°58′43″N 87°54′17″W
Website		www.flychicago.com/ohare
Map
ORD Location of airport in Chicago
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
	ft	m
4L/22R	7,500	2,286	Asphalt
4R/22L	8,075	2,461	Asphalt
9L/27R	7,500	2,286	Concrete
9R/27L	7,967	2,428	Asphalt/Concrete
10L/28R	13,001	3,962	Asphalt/Concrete
14L/32R	10,005	3,050	Asphalt
14R/32L	9,685	2,952	Asphalt/Concrete
10C/28C	10,800	3,291	Concrete
Helipads
Number	Length		Surface
	ft	m
H1	200	61	Concrete
Statistics (2013)
Passenger volume			66,909,638
Aircraft movements			883,287
Cargo (metric tonnes)			1,434,377
Economic impact (2012)			$14.1 billion
Sources: FAA and airport's website. Statistics from ACI

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD), also known as O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Field, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago, Illinois, United States, 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Chicago Loop (the CBD). It is the primary airport serving the Chicago area, with Chicago Midway International Airport, about 10 miles (16 km) closer to the Loop, serving as a secondary airport for low-cost carriers.

United Airlines (including United Express) is the largest airline at O'Hare, carrying over 45% of passengers. O'Hare is the second-largest hub for United, after Houston-Bush. American Airlines (including American Eagle) has the second largest operation at O'Hare, carrying 37.08% of passengers. O'Hare is American Airlines' second-largest hub, after Dallas/Fort Worth.

Until 2005, O'Hare was the world's busiest airport in takeoffs and landings. Until 1998, O'Hare was the busiest airport in the world in number of passengers. Mainly due to limits imposed on the airport by the federal government to reduce flight delays, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport became the busiest by the former metric in 2005. O'Hare is the world's second busiest airport in aircraft movements. In 2008, the airport had 881,566 aircraft operations, an average of 2,409 per day (64% scheduled commercial, 33% air taxi, 3% general aviation and <1% military). O'Hare is the fifth busiest airport in the world (after Atlanta, Beijing, London Heathrow and Tokyo Haneda) with 66,633,503 passengers passing through the airport in 2012, a -0.1% change from 2011. O'Hare has a strong international presence, with flights to more than 60 foreign destinations: it is the fourth busiest international gateway in the United States behind John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, Los Angeles International Airport and Miami International Airport.

O'Hare has been voted the "Best Airport in North America" for 10 years by two separate sources: Readers of the U.S. Edition of Business Traveler Magazine (1998–2003) and Global Traveler Magazine (2004–2007). Travel and Leisure magazine's 2009 "America's Favorite Cities" ranked Chicago's Airport System (O'Hare and Midway) the second-worst for delays, New York City's airport system (JFK, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia) being the first. O'Hare currently accounts for over a sixth of the nation's total flight cancellations.

It is operated by the City of Chicago Department of Aviation. Most of O'Hare Airport is in Cook County, but a section of the southwest part of the airport is in DuPage County. The Cook County portion is located within a section of the city of Chicago contiguously connected to the rest of the city via a narrow strip of land about 200 ft (61 m) wide, running along Foster Avenue, from the Des Plaines River to the airport. This land was annexed into the city limits in the 1950s to assure the massive tax revenue associated with the airport being part of the city. The strip is bounded on the north by Rosemont and the south by Schiller Park.

History

Model of "Butch" O'Hare's Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat on display in Terminal 2 of the airport

World War II

See also: Illinois World War II Army Airfields

The airport was constructed in 1942–43 as a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54s during World War II. The site was chosen for its proximity to the city and transportation. The two million square foot (180,000 m²) factory needed easy access to the workforce of the nation's then-second-largest city, as well as its extensive railroad infrastructure. Orchard Place was a small nearby farming community.

Douglas Company's contract ended in 1945 and though plans were proposed to build commercial aircraft, the company ultimately chose to concentrate production on the west coast. With the departure of Douglas, the airport took the name Orchard Field Airport, the source of its three-letter IATA code ORD.

In 1945, the facility was chosen by the city of Chicago as the site for a facility to meet future aviation demands. Matthew Laflin Rockwell (1915–1988) was the director of planning for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and responsible for the site selection and design of O'Hare International Airport. He was the great grandson of Matthew Laflin, a founder and pioneer of Chicago.

In 1949, the airport was renamed "O'Hare International Airport" to honor Edward O'Hare, the U.S. Navy's first flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient in World War II. Its IATA code, "ORD", remained unchanged, however, resulting in the infrequent case of an airport's three-letter designation bearing no connection to the airport name or metropolitan area.

Commercial development

Airline Operations

(Takeoffs Plus Landings)

	Midway	O'Hare
1958	337,421	66,205
1959	345,170	82,417
1960	298,582	163,351
1961	187,978	235,908
1962	46,873	331,090
1963	19,054	358,266
1964	19,017	389,640
1965	16,716	443,026
1966	5,090	478,644
1967	4,427	573,506
1968	26,941	628,632
1969	31,394	632,030
1970	43,553	598,973
1971	51,734	565,826

By the early 1950s, Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago's primary airport since 1931, had become too crowded despite multiple expansions and could not handle the planned first generation of jets. The city of Chicago and the FAA began to develop O'Hare as the main airport for Chicago's future.

In 1953, while traveling to an airshow at Naval Air Station Glenview in Chicago, Illinois, Blue Angels pilot LT Harding MacKnight experienced an engine flameout in his F7U Cutlass, forcing him to make an emergency landing at NAS Glenview. Traveling with him, LT "Whitey" Feightner was redirected to make his landing at O'Hare. The runway had just been completed and was covered with peach baskets to prevent aircraft from landing until it was opened. LT Feightner was told to ignore the baskets and land on the new runway. As a result, LT Feightner's F7U became the first aircraft to land on the new runway for O'Hare International Airport.

Commercial passenger flights started in 1955 and by the following year O'Hare was served by American, BOAC, Braniff, Capital, Delta, Eastern, North Central, Pan Am, TWA and United, along with freight airlines Riddle and Slick. O'Hare also opened a $1 million "Skymotive" terminal for corporate aircraft in 1955, the first of its kind.

Growth was slow at first. By 1957 Chicago had invested over $25 million in O'Hare, but Midway remained the world's busiest airport and airlines were reluctant to relocate all of their services to O'Hare until better highway access and other capital improvements were completed. The April 1957 Official Airline Guide shows 10 weekday departures on United, 9 on American, 6 on Capital, 3 Eastern, 3 TWA, 2 Delta, 2 North Central, and 1 Braniff. Also three weekly Pan Am and one weekly BOAC (Air France and Lufthansa were at Midway). O'Hare's first dedicated international terminal opened in August 1958. By April 1959 the airport had expanded to 7,200 acres (29 km²) with new hangars, terminals, parking and other facilities. The expressway link to downtown Chicago was completed in 1960.

Ground was broken for the main terminal complex (of which Terminals 2 and 3 remain today) April 1, 1959. The complex, designed by C. F. Murphy and Associates, opened on January 1, 1962.

All fixed-wing scheduled airline service in Chicago moved from Midway to O'Hare by July 1962. President John F. Kennedy attended a dedication ceremony in 1963. The arrival of Midway's former traffic quickly made O'Hare the world's busiest airport, serving 10 million passengers annually. Within two years that number would double, with more people passing through O'Hare in 12 months than Ellis Island had processed in its entire existence. In late 1972, Chicago city officials reached an agreement with airlines to shift some services back to Midway in order to ease the overcrowding at O'Hare. Despite this, O'Hare remained the world's busiest airport until 1998. In the late 1960s Midway was nearly abandoned; it enjoyed a revival after startup carrier Midway Airlines began low-cost service there in 1979–80.

Pre-deregulation service

American Airlines, United Airlines and Trans World Airlines had many routes to the West Coast, Northeast and Midwest. TWA flew to Europe nonstop from O'Hare starting in 1958. Northwest Orient Airlines flew to the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, Florida and Hawaii, as well as service through Alaska to Japan and the Far East. Their 747 to Tokyo was O'Hare's first nonstop to Asia, in 1977. Delta Air Lines served the Southeast and Midwest.

During this era international flights used Terminal 1. United, Ozark, Braniff, Eastern, Northwest, Continental and Piedmont used Terminal 2 (concourses D, E and F). In Terminal 3, Concourse G served TWA and Air Canada, and Concourses H and K served American, Delta and North Central (later merged into Republic Airlines).

Post-deregulation developments

In the 1980s, after deregulation, TWA replaced Chicago with St. Louis as its main mid-continent hub. Northwest likewise shifted to a Minneapolis and Detroit-centered network by the early 1990s following its acquisition of Republic Airlines in 1986.

United and American both established nationwide hubs at the airport in the 1980s, which continue to operate today. United developed a new $500 million Terminal 1 ("The Terminal of the Future" or "Terminal of Tomorrow") designed by Helmut Jahn and A. Epstein and Sons, with Turner Construction as the construction manager, and Thornton Tomasetti serving as the structural engineer. It was built between 1985 and 1987 on the site of the old international terminal. Ground was broken for the new terminal complex in March 1985. The terminal opened with 13 gates on June 15, 1987. The terminal was officially dedicated on August 4, 1987 with Mayor Harold Washington in attendance at the dedication ceremony, and the ticketing and baggage claim areas, as well as 29 more gates, were opened. Concourse D of Terminal 2 was demolished in order to make way for the rest of the terminal, which was completed in December 1988. American renovated its existing facilities in Terminal 3 from 1987 to 1990. These renovations were designed by Kober/Belluschi Associates, Inc. and Welton Becket & Associates. Delta maintained a Chicago hub for some time, and opened a new Concourse L. designed by Perkins and Will and Milton Pate & Associates, in Terminal 3 (initially known as the "Delta Flight Center") in 1983, but ultimately closed its Chicago hub in the 1990s.

Due to the construction of Terminal 1 for United, international flights were relocated to a temporary Terminal 4 from 1984 until 1993. Terminal 4 was located on the ground floor of the main parking garage; international passengers would check in there and be taken directly to their aircraft by bus. Ground for the new $618 million International Terminal was broken on July 11, 1990 with airline executives and government officials, led by Mayor Richard M. Daley and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Samuel K. Skinner, in attendance. The new Terminal 5, designed by Perkins and Will in conjunction with Heard & Associates and Consoer Townsend & Associates partially opened on May 27, 1993 with its two lower levels completed to handle all international arrivals. The rest of the terminal, including the departures level, opened on September 30, 1993. Since the opening of Terminal 5, Terminal 4 has been changed into the airport's facility for CTA buses, hotel shuttles, and other ground transportation; the T4 designation may be used again in the future as new terminals are developed. The CTA Blue Line was extended to the airport in 1984.

Total annual passenger volume at O'Hare reached 30 million in 1968, 40 million in 1976, 60 million in 1990 and 70 million in 1997.

A $80 million renovation of Concourse G in Terminal 3 designed by Teng & Associates, Inc. commenced in the spring of 1999 and finished in the spring of 2001. The concourse was enlarged into a 144,500-square-foot facility with 25 remodeled gates. Six large "sky vaults," which are huge skylights atop V-shaped columns that bring natural light into a previously confined space, were constructed. A new 4,138 square-foot Admirals Club was also added to the concourse.

Delta moved from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2 in 2009 in order to align its operations with merger partner Northwest Airlines. Continental moved from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 in 2010 as part of its merger with United Airlines.

In 2013, the Chicago Department of Aviation appropriated a $19,500 two-year contract to use livestock, specifically goats, sheep, llamas, and burros, to assist with grounds maintenance. This plan was implemented due to difficulties in reaching certain areas on the runway property with traditional lawn mowing machines due to rocky or sloped terrain. About 25 animals were recruited chiefly to clear growing vegetation around the approximately 120 acre space around the runways. A secondary reason for the introduction of the animals, especially the llamas and burros, was to reduce interference from wildlife such as coyotes and birds that may come when smaller prey settle in unmaintained, grassy areas.

United States Air Force use

See: O'Hare Air Reserve Station

The original Douglas Aircraft C-54 Skymaster transport manufacturing plant on the northeast side of the airport became a United States Air Force Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve facility after World War II. It was used by the USAF from 1947 until 1999 as O'Hare Air Reserve Station, making the airport a joint civil-military airfield during this period.

The 1993 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission recommended the closure of O'Hare Air Reserve Station as proposed by the municipal government of the City of Chicago and the transfer of both the Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing (126 ARW) and its KC-135 aircraft, and the Air Force Reserve Command's 928th Airlift Wing (928 AW) and its C-130 aircraft to new facilities to be constructed at Scott AFB, Illinois. The 126 ARW moved from the former O'Hare Air Reserve Station at O'Hare International Airport to Scott AFB, Illinois in 1999 as recommended by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission's Report to Congress in conjunction with the closure of the Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard facilities at O'Hare. Instead of moving to Scott AFB, subsequent BRAC action directed that the 928 AW be inactivated and its C-130 aircraft reallocated to other Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units.

Following the closure of the O'Hare Air Reserve Station, the former USAF facilities were redeveloped for air cargo and general aviation. Today, Signature Flight Support services private aircraft in this area.

Accidents and incidents

1057 fatalities have occurred as a result of accidents en route to or from Chicago O'Hare.

• On April 1, 1999, an Air China Boeing 747, Flight 9018, taxied onto an active runway at O'Hare during the takeoff of Korean Air Flight 36, another 747. Flight 36 averted a collision by taking off early and missing the Air China aircraft by 75 feet. There were 8 people on the Air China cargo plane and 379 on the Korean Air flight.
• On February 9, 1998, American Airlines Flight 1340 crashed upon landing in Chicago from Kansas City International Airport injuring 22 passengers.
• On October 31, 1994, American Eagle Flight 4184 crashed over northwestern Indiana en route from Indianapolis to Chicago, killing all 68 people on board.
• On September 8, 1994, USAir Flight 427 crashed on approach to Pittsburgh, PA, after departing O'Hare, killing all 132 people on board.
• On July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232, en route to Chicago from Denver, crash-landed in Sioux City, Iowa, killing 111 people on board.
• On August 10, 1986, American Trans Air Flight 131 caught fire on the tarmac at O'Hare, destroying the plane.
• On March 19, 1982, a USAF KC-135 crashed upon approach to O'Hare 40 miles (64 km) northwest of the city (near Woodstock), killing 27 people on board.
• On May 25, 1979, American Airlines Flight 191 crashed just after takeoff on runway 32R from Chicago en route to Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, killing all 271 people on board and two people on the ground. The crash remains the deadliest single-aircraft crash in United States history, and the worst aviation disaster in the nation before September 11, 2001.
• On March 28, 1977, Douglas C-47A N57131 of Emery Worldwide was destroyed by fire following a taxing accident. The aircraft was due to operate a cargo flight.
• On December 20, 1972, North Central Airlines Flight 575 crashed upon takeoff, killing 10 passengers.
• On December 27, 1968, North Central Airlines Flight 458 crashed into a hangar at O'Hare, killing 27 onboard and one on the ground.
• On March 21, 1968, United Airlines Flight 9963 a Boeing 727 overran runway 09R on take off. All 3 crew onboard were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
• On August 16, 1965, United Airlines Flight 389 crashed 30 miles (48 km) east of O'Hare while on approach, killing all 30 on board.
• On September 17, 1961, Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 706 had a mechanical failure in control surfaces and crashed upon takeoff at Chicago O'Hare killing all 37 on board.

Terminals

A terminal map of O'Hare Airport.

O'Hare has four numbered passenger terminals with nine lettered concourses and a total of 182 aircraft gates. Two or more additional terminal buildings are envisioned; there is the possibility of a large terminal complex for the west side of the field, with access from I-90 and/or the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway, if the runway reconfiguration is completed and passenger numbers require additional terminals.

All international arrivals at O'Hare (except flights from destinations with border preclearance) arrive at Terminal 5, as the other terminals do not have Customs facilities. Some airlines, such as United Airlines, American Airlines, Iberia and Lufthansa, will deplane aircraft at Terminal 5 and then, after passengers are offloaded, taxi the planes to other terminals (Terminal 1 for United and Lufthansa, for example) for boarding. This is done at least in part to make connections for passengers transferring from domestic flights to international flights easier.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 houses the United Airlines hub and departures for some of its Star Alliance partners. Lufthansa, All Nippon Airways, and United's international departures operate international departures out of Terminal 1. However, since Terminal 1 lacks customs handling facilities, all international arrivals (United Airlines and Star Alliance) except from airports with Customs preclearance deplane at the international terminal (Terminal 5) and the aircraft are then moved to Terminal 1 for departure. It has 50 gates on two concourses:

• Concourse B – 22 gates
• Concourse C – 28 gates

Concourses B and C are linear concourses located in separate buildings parallel to each other. Concourse B is adjacent to the airport roadway and houses passenger check-in, baggage claim and security screening on its landside and aircraft gates on its airside. Concourse C is a satellite concourse with gates on all sides. Passengers transit between the two concourses via a pedestrian tunnel under the tarmac and are treated to a neon light show and an airy and very slow-tempo version of Rhapsody in Blue (United Airlines' theme music) while moving through the walkway.

United Airlines runs a post-security shuttle service between Concourse C (Gate C9) and Concourses E & F (Gate E2A) in Terminal 2. United operates three United Clubs in Terminal 1 (two in Concourse B, one in Concourse C) as well as a United First International Lounge and United Arrivals Suite in Concourse C.

Terminal 1 houses All Nippon Airways's Chicago office.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 houses US Airways, Air Canada and Delta Air Lines domestic flights (Delta's flight to Paris operates from the International Terminal 5 as the gates in Terminal 2 do not accommodate the aircraft used on that route). United Express also operates a number of flights from Terminal 2, but check-in for these flights is conducted in Terminal 1. United Airlines runs a United Club in Concourse F near gate F4A, while Delta has a SkyClub on Concourse E. United Continental Holdings, the parent company of United Airlines, is currently upgrading its facilities at Terminal 2, including constructing 10 new jet bridges for its United Express flights, reconfiguration of the holding rooms, and a newly constructed United Club as a replacement of the current club. A Concourse D previously existed and served as the concourse for AirCal, Braniff, Continental, Eastern, Northwest Orient, Piedmont and United Express until it was demolished in 1993.

Terminal 2 has 42 gates on two concourses:

• Concourse E – 16 gates
• Concourse F – 26 gates

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 houses the American Airlines hub, as well as departing flights for oneworld alliance carriers Air Berlin, Iberia, Japan Airlines, and Qatar Airways. Also, unaffiliated domestic low-cost carriers operate in Terminal 3. Terminal 3 has 80 gates on four concourses:

• Concourse G – 26 gates
• Concourse H – 21 gates
• Concourse K – 22 gates
• Concourse L – 11 gates

Concourse G primarily houses American Eagle operations, while concourses H and K house American mainline operations, and concourse L, the previous home of Delta, now houses AmericanConnection (now defunct) flights, and has three gates used for mainline operations (L1, L8, and L10) as well as for codeshare partners Alaska Airlines and Westjet. Low-cost carriers Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Virgin America and Air Choice One operate the odd-numbered gate side of concourse L beginning at gate L3. Qatar Airways operates out of gate L10. Terminal 3 has two American Airlines Admirals Clubs and a Flagship Lounge.

Terminal 5 (International Terminal)

All international arrivals at O'Hare (excluding flights from destinations with U.S. border preclearance) are processed at Terminal 5, which also handles most non-US carriers and certain domestic low-cost carriers (Delta is the only US carrier that uses Terminal 5 for its nonstop seasonal flight to Paris). Terminal 5 has 21 gates on one concourse (Concourse M).

Terminal 5 houses a number of airline lounges including the Aer Lingus Gold Circle Club, Air France Lounge, Alitalia Sala Freccia Alata, British Airways Lounge, Korean Air Lounge, SAS Business Lounge and Swiss Lounge. It also houses U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the arrival (lower) level. Terminal 5 is currently undergoing renovation, which will feature world-class dining and retail post-security – including many Chicago-based restaurants and brands – cutting edge design, and a re-engineered layout. The project is scheduled to be completed in Fall 2013.

Airlines and destinations

Destinations with direct service to O'Hare.

Aircraft taxiing in Chicago

United Airlines Terminal 1, Concourse B

American Airlines Terminal 3 Main Hall

Terminal 5 – International

Airlines	Destinations	Terminal/ Concourse
Aer Lingus	Dublin	5M
Aeroméxico	Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey Seasonal: Puerto Vallarta, Morelia	5M
Air Berlin	Berlin–Tegel	3K
Air Canada	Montréal–Trudeau, Toronto–Pearson	2E
Air Canada Express operated by Jazz Air	Montréal–Trudeau	2E
Air Canada Express operated by Sky Regional Airlines	Montréal–Trudeau, Toronto–Pearson	2E
Air Choice One	Burlington (IA), Decatur	3L
Air France	Seasonal: Paris–Charles de Gaulle	5M
Air India	Delhi, Hyderabad	5M
Alaska Airlines	Anchorage, Portland (OR), Seattle/Tacoma	3L
Alitalia	Seasonal: Rome–Fiumicino	5M
All Nippon Airways	Tokyo–Narita	1C
American Airlines	Austin, Beijing–Capital, Boston, Cancún, Dallas/Fort Worth, Düsseldorf, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Kansas City, Las Vegas, London–Heathrow, Los Angeles, Manchester (UK), Mexico City, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia, New Orleans, Orange County (CA), Orlando, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland (OR), Raleigh/Durham, Reno/Tahoe, St. Louis, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose (CA), San Juan, Seattle/Tacoma, Shanghai–Pudong, Tampa, Tokyo–Narita, Tucson, Tulsa, Washington–National, West Palm Beach Seasonal: Cozumel, Dublin, Eagle/Vail, Helsinki, Honolulu, Jackson Hole, Montego Bay, Palm Springs, Puerto Vallarta, Rome–Fiumicino, San José del Cabo,	3H, 3K, 3L
AmericanConnection operated by Chautauqua Airlines	Bloomington/Normal, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Charlottesville (ends March 31, 2014), Cincinnati, Dubuque, Evansville (begins June 11, 2014), Flint, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, La Crosse, Lexington, Louisville, Madison, Milwaukee (ends March 31, 2014), Peoria, Richmond, Rochester (MN), Rochester (NY), White Plains	3L
American Eagle operated by Envoy	Atlanta, Baltimore, Bloomington/Normal, Buffalo, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Champaign/Urbana, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbia (MO), Columbus (OH), Dayton, Des Moines, Detroit, Dubuque, Evansville, Fargo, Flint, Fayetteville (AR), Fort Wayne, Green Bay, Harrisburg, Hartford, Houston–Intercontinental, Huntsville, Indianapolis, Jacksonville (FL), Kalamazoo, Kansas City, Kitchener/Waterloo, Knoxville, Little Rock, Madison, Manhattan (KS), Marquette, Memphis, Milwaukee (ends March 31, 2014), Minneapolis/St. Paul, Montréal–Trudeau (ends March 31, 2014), Nashville, Newark, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh/Durham, Rochester (MN), Rochester (NY), Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Springfield/Branson, Syracuse, Toledo, Toronto–Pearson, Traverse City, Tulsa, Washington–National, Waterloo, Watertown (NY) (ends May 7, 2014), Wausau/Stevens Point, Wichita (ends March 31, 2014) Seasonal: Albuquerque, Rapid City	3G, 3H
American Eagle operated by Republic Airlines	Albuquerque, Atlanta, Baltimore, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, El Paso, Hartford, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Montréal–Trudeau, Nashville, New Orleans, Newark, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Toronto–Pearson, Washington–National Seasonal: Hayden/Steamboat Springs	3K, 3H
American Eagle operated by SkyWest Airlines	Charlottesville (begins April 1, 2014), Milwaukee (begins April 1, 2014), Montréal–Trudeau (begins April 1, 2014), Wichita (begins April 1, 2014)	3G, 3H
Apple Vacations operated by Alaska Airlines	Seasonal: Puerto Vallarta	5M
Apple Vacations operated by Aeroméxico	Seasonal: Cozumel, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo	5M
Apple Vacations operated by Frontier Airlines	Cancún, Huatulco, Montego Bay, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, San José del Cabo	5M
Asiana Airlines	Seoul–Incheon	5M
Austrian Airlines operated by Tyrolean Airways	Vienna	5M
Avianca	San Salvador	5M
British Airways	London–Heathrow	5M
Cathay Pacific	Hong Kong	5M
Cayman Airways	Seasonal: Grand Cayman	5M
Copa Airlines	Panama City	5M
Delta Air Lines	Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul Seasonal: Salt Lake City	2E
Delta Air Lines	London–Heathrow (begins October 26, 2014) Seasonal: Paris–Charles de Gaulle	5M
Delta Connection operated by Chautauqua Airlines	Cincinnati	2E
Delta Connection operated by Compass Airlines	Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City	2E
Delta Connection operated by Endeavor Air	Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–JFK	2E
Delta Connection operated by ExpressJet	Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul	2E
Delta Connection operated by GoJet Airlines	New York–JFK	2E
Delta Connection operated by Shuttle America	Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul	2E
Delta Connection operated by SkyWest Airlines	Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Salt Lake City	2E
Delta Shuttle operated by Shuttle America	New York–LaGuardia	2E
Emirates	Dubai-International (begins August 5, 2014)	5M
Etihad Airways	Abu Dhabi	5M
Hainan Airlines	Beijing–Capital	5M
Iberia	Madrid	3K
Japan Airlines	Tokyo–Narita	3K
JetBlue Airways	Boston, New York–JFK, San Juan	3L
KLM	Amsterdam	5M
Korean Air	Seoul–Incheon	5M
LOT Polish Airlines	Warsaw–Chopin	5M
Lufthansa	Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich	1B
Qatar Airways	Doha	3K
Royal Jordanian	Amman–Queen Alia	5M
Scandinavian Airlines	Copenhagen, Stockholm–Arlanda	5M
Spirit Airlines	Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Houston–Intercontinental, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–LaGuardia, Oakland (begins May 1, 2014), Orlando Seasonal: Atlantic City, Baltimore (begins May 22, 2014), Boston, Fort Myers, Myrtle Beach, Phoenix, Portland (OR) (begins May 22, 2014), Tampa	3L
Swiss International Air Lines	Zürich	5M
Turkish Airlines	Istanbul–Atatürk	5M
United Airlines	Albany (NY), Amsterdam, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Beijing–Capital, Boise, Boston, Brussels, Buffalo, Calgary, Cancún, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus (OH), Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Frankfurt, Grand Rapids, Harrisburg, Hartford, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Houston–Intercontinental, Jacksonville (FL), Kansas City, Las Vegas, London–Heathrow, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Munich, New Orleans, New York–LaGuardia, Newark, Omaha, Orange County (CA), Orlando, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland (OR), Providence, Raleigh/Durham, Richmond, Rochester (NY), Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose de Costa Rica, San Juan, São Paulo–Guarulhos, Sarasota, Seattle/Tacoma, Seoul-Incheon (ends March 28, 2014), Shanghai–Pudong, Singapore, Tampa, Tokyo–Narita, Toronto–Pearson, Vancouver, Washington–Dulles, Washington–National Seasonal: Anchorage, Aruba, Bozeman, Cozumel, Edinburgh (begins May 22, 2014), Fairbanks, Fort Myers, Jackson Hole, Kahului, Liberia, Miami, Montego Bay, Palm Springs, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, Shannon, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San José del Cabo, West Palm Beach	1B, 1C
United Express operated by Chautauqua Airlines	Albany (NY), Atlanta, Buffalo, Charleston (SC), Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus (OH), Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Louisville, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Raleigh/Durham	1B, 1C, 2E, 2F
United Express operated by ExpressJet	Akron/Canton, Albany (NY), Allentown/Bethlehem, Appleton, Atlanta, Atlantic City (begins April 1, 2014), Baltimore, Birmingham (AL), Buffalo, Burlington (VT), Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Charleston (SC), Charleston (WV), Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Columbia (SC), Columbus (OH), Dayton, Des Moines, Detroit, Elmira/Corning, El Paso (ends March, 9, 2014), Erie (begins June 5, 2014), Flint (begins June 5, 2014), Fargo, Fayetteville (AR), Grand Rapids, Green Bay, Greensboro, Greenville/Spartanburg, Halifax, Harrisburg, Hartford, Huntsville, Indianapolis, Jackson (MS), Jacksonville (FL), Kansas City, Knoxville, Lansing, Lexington, Lincoln, Little Rock, Louisville, Madison, Manchester (NH), Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Mobile, Moline/Quad Cities, Montréal–Trudeau, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Ottawa, Peoria, Pittsburgh, Portland (ME), Providence, Quebec City, Raleigh/Durham, Rapid City, Richmond, Roanoke, Rochester (NY), Saskatoon, Savannah, Sioux Falls, South Bend, Springfield/Branson, State College, Syracuse, Topeka, Toronto–Pearson, Traverse City, Tulsa, Washington–Dulles, Wausau/Stevens Point, White Plains, Wichita, Wilkes–Barre/Scranton, Winnipeg Seasonal: Billings, Fort Myers, Myrtle Beach, Pensacola, Sarasota	1B, 1C, 2E, 2F
United Express operated by GoJet Airlines	Albany (NY), Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boise, Bozeman, Burlington (VT), Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Greensboro, Hartford, Jacksonville (FL), Kansas City, Madison, Manchester (NH), Minneapolis/St. Paul, Moline/Quad Cities, Montréal–Trudeau, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Philadelphia, Portland (ME), Providence, Raleigh/Durham, Richmond, Rochester (NY), St. Louis, San Antonio, Syracuse, Toronto–Pearson, Tulsa, Washington–Dulles	1B, 1C, 2E, 2F
United Express operated by Mesa Airlines	Albany (NY), Austin, Boston, Buffalo, Burlington (VT), Charleston (SC), Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas/Fort Worth, Des Moines, Detroit. Hartford, Indianapolis, Jacksonville (FL), Kansas City, Madison, Manchester (NH), Memphis, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland (ME), Providence, Raleigh/Durham, Rochester (NY), San Antonio, Savannah, South Bend, Syracuse, Washington–Dulles Seasonal: Bangor (begins June 5, 2014), Grand Rapids, Sarasota	1B, 1C, 2E, 2F
United Express operated by Shuttle America	Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boise, Boston, Buffalo, Calgary, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus (OH), Dallas/Fort Worth, Des Moines, Detroit, Edmonton, Fort Myers, Grand Rapids, Hartford, Houston–Intercontinental, Indianapolis, Jacksonville (FL), Kansas City, Louisville, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Montréal–Trudeau, Nashville, New Orleans, New York–LaGuardia, Newark, Norfolk, Oklahoma City (begins April 2, 2014), Omaha, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Raleigh/Durham, Rochester (NY), Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Toronto–Pearson, Washington–Dulles, Washington–National Seasonal: Myrtle Beach, Spokane	1B, 1C, 2E
United Express operated by SkyWest Airlines	Albuquerque, Appleton, Asheville, Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham (AL), Boise, Boston, Bozeman, Calgary, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Charleston (SC), Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Columbus (OH), Dallas/Fort Worth, Dayton, Des Moines, Detroit, Duluth, Eau Claire, Edmonton, Fargo, Fayetteville (AR), Fort Wayne, Grand Rapids, Green Bay, Houghton/Hancock, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Lexington, Lincoln, Little Rock, London (ON), Louisville, Madison, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Monterrey, Moline/Quad Cities, Muskegon, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Ottawa, Paducah, Peoria, Pittsburgh, Regina, St. Cloud (begins May 6, 2014), St. Louis, Saginaw, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Sioux Falls, South Bend, Springfield (IL), Syracuse, Thunder Bay (ends April 24, 2014), Toronto–Pearson, Tulsa, Washington–Dulles, Washington–National, Wausau/Stevens Point, Wichita, Winnipeg Seasonal: Aspen, Cody (begins June 22, 2014), Edmonton, Gunnison/Crested Butte, Halifax, Hayden/Steamboat Springs, Kalispell, Miami, Missoula, Nassau, Rapid City	1B, 1C, 2E, 2F
United Express operated by Trans States Airlines	Allentown/Bethlehem, Burlington (VT), Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus (OH), Dayton, Des Moines, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Greensboro, Greenville/Spartanburg, Harrisburg, Hartford, Memphis, Moline/Quad Cities, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Peoria, Richmond, Rochester (NY), St. Louis, Springfield/Branson, Syracuse, Tulsa, Washington–Dulles, Wichita	1B, 1C, 2E, 2F
US Airways	Charlotte, Philadelphia, Phoenix	2E, 2F
Virgin America	Los Angeles, San Francisco	3L
Virgin Atlantic	Seasonal: London–Heathrow	5M
Volaris	Mexico City, Guadalajara	5M
WestJet	Seasonal: Calgary, Vancouver	3L

United's check-in and baggage claim is located at Terminal 1 but uses Concourses E and F, which are part of Terminal 2.

Traffic and statistics

Busiest International Routes from O'Hare (January–October 2011)

Rank	Airport	Passengers	Carriers
1	London (Heathrow), United Kingdom	1,207,407	American Airlines, British Airways, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
2	Toronto (Pearson), Canada	525,450	Air Canada, American Airlines, United Airlines
3	Frankfurt, Germany	500,644	Lufthansa, United Airlines
4	Tokyo (Narita), Japan	468,396	All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, United Airlines
5	Montréal (Trudeau), Canada	276,888	Air Canada, American Airlines, United Airlines
6	Mexico City, Mexico	275,000	Aeroméxico, American Airlines, United Airlines
7	Cancún, Mexico	272,754	American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines
8	Paris (Charles de Gaulle), France	270,450	Air France, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines
9	Beijing, China	252,144	American Airlines, United Airlines
10	Munich, Germany	250,045	Lufthansa, United Airlines

Top 10 domestic destinations (January 2013 – December 2013)

Rank	Airport	Passengers	Carriers
1	New York (LaGuardia), New York	1,333,000	American, Delta, Spirit, United
2	Los Angeles, California	1,149,000	American, Spirit, United, Virgin America
3	San Francisco, California	1,076,000	American, United, Virgin America
4	Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas	930,000	American, Spirit, United
5	Boston, Massachusetts	872,000	American, JetBlue, Spirit, United
6	Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota	827,000	American, Delta, Spirit, United
7	Washington (National), D.C.	717,000	American, United
8	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	687,000	American, United, US Airways
9	Houston, Texas	668,000	American, Spirit, United
10	Denver, Colorado	667,000	American, Spirit, United

Cargo carriers

There are two main cargo areas at O'Hare that have warehouse, build-up/tear-down and aircraft parking facilities. The Southwest Cargo Area, adjacent to Irving Park Road, accommodates over 80% of the airport's all-cargo flights, divided among 9 buildings in two tiers. The North Cargo Area, which is a modest conversion of the former military base (the 1943 Douglas plant area), also receives air freighters. It is adjacent to the northern portion of Bessie Coleman Drive.

Two satellite cargo areas have warehouse and build-up/tear down facilities, but aircraft do not park at these. Freight is trucked to/from aircraft on other ramps. The South Cargo Area is along Mannheim Road. The East Cargo Area, adjacent to Terminal 5, was formerly the airport's only cargo section but has now mostly evolved into an airport support zone.

The Southwest Cargo Area partially lies in the path of one of the new runways (10C/28C). The redevelopment of the airfield will entail moving/replacing this primary cargo hub.

Airlines	Destinations
AeroUnion	Mexico City
AirBridgeCargo Airlines	Amsterdam, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow–Domodedovo
Air China Cargo	Anchorage, New York–JFK
Air France Cargo	Dublin, Glasgow-Prestwick, New York–JFK, Paris–Charles de Gaulle
Asiana Cargo	Anchorage, Atlanta, Detroit, Houston–Intercontinental, New York–JFK, Portland (OR), Seoul–Incheon
Atlas Air	Anchorage, Miami
British Airways World Cargo operated by Global Supply Systems	Houston–Intercontinental, London–Stansted
Cargolux	Anchorage, Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Hong Kong, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Luxembourg, New York–JFK
Cathay Pacific Cargo	Anchorage, New York–JFK
China Airlines Cargo	Anchorage, Houston–Intercontinental, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma
China Cargo Airlines	Anchorage, Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth
China Southern Cargo	Shanghai–Pudong
DHL operated by ABX Air	Cincinnati
Emirates SkyCargo	Copenhagen
Etihad Crystal Cargo	Abu Dhabi, Miami
EVA Air Cargo	Anchorage, Taipei–Taoyuan
FedEx Express	Fort Worth/Alliance, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Memphis, Newark
Kalitta Air	Anchorage, Khabarovsk Novy, Newark, New York–JFK
Korean Air Cargo	Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma, Toronto–Pearson
LOT Polish Airlines operated by Cargojet Airways	Warsaw–Chopin
Lufthansa Cargo	Anchorage, Atlanta, Frankfurt, Guadalajara, Los Angeles, Manchester (UK), Mexico City, New York-JFK
Lufthansa Cargo operated by AeroLogic	Frankfurt
Nippon Cargo Airlines	Anchorage, Dallas/Fort Worth, Frankfurt–Hahn, New York-JFK
Qantas Freight operated by Atlas Air	Chongqing, Melbourne, Sydney
Qatar Airways Cargo	Amsterdam, Doha, Los Angeles, Milan–Malpensa
Singapore Airlines Cargo	Anchorage, Atlanta, Brussels, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles
UPS Airlines	Cologne/Bonn, Columbus–Rickenbacker, Louisville, Philadelphia
World Airways	Baltimore, Hong Kong, Milan
Yangtze River Express	Anchorage, Shanghai–Pudong

Facilities

Runways

Runway layout at ORD

On October 17, 2013 O'Hare opened Runway 10C-28C. The opening of this eighth runway marked the completion of the Phase II expansion project. O'Hare arrivals have been reconfigured to predominately use a triple arrival scheme utilizing three of the four parallel runways.

Prior to the opening of 10C-28C, the new runway, 9L/27R which opened in November 2008, O'Hare had seven runways in three roughly-parallel sets. The longest is Runway 10L–28R, 13,001 by 150 feet (3,963 m × 46 m). Runways 9L, 10C, 10L, 14L, 14R, 27L, 27R, 28C and 28R have Category III instrument landing systems (ILS), allowing trained aircrews to conduct landings with as little as 600 feet (180 m) of horizontal visibility. All other runway approaches except 4L and 32L have full Category I ILS. Runway 4L is seldom used for landings and has a localizer, the horizontal guidance component of an ILS system, but does not have a glideslope, the vertical component. Runway 32L was permanently closed to arrivals when the section south of Runway 10L/28R was closed due to 10C/28C construction.

In years past, runways at O'Hare intersected each other with the exception of 4R/22L. This creates problems in inclement weather, busy times, or high winds. There have been several near-collisions at O'Hare in recent years. The redevelopment, which essentially eliminates active runway intersections, is intended to reduce collision hazards and delays.

The field started with four clustered runways; in March 1950 all were 5,500 to 5,750 feet (1,680–1,750 m) long. Runway 14 (later 14L) became 7,345 feet (2,239 m) around 1952; the 8,000-foot (2,400 m) runway 14R/32L opened in 1956 and became 11,600 feet (3,500 m) long in 1960. The 10,000-foot (3,000 m) 9R/27L (now designated 10L/28R) opened in 1968 and 14L became 10,000 feet (3,000 m) long around the same time. 4R/22L opened in 1971 and the new 9L/27R in 2008. In 2003 the fourth original runway (18/36) closed; its short length, lack of use, and placement no longer justified certification. Runway 18/36 is now taxiway M on airport charts.

The redevelopment, when completed, will remove the two northwest–southeast runways (14/32 L/R), construct four additional east–west runways (10C/28C, 10R/28L, 9L/27R, and 9C/27C), and extend the existing east–west runways (9R/27L and 10L/28R). The two existing northeast–southwest (4/22 L/R) runways will be retained. Currently, two of the four new runways have been constructed (9L/27R, 10C/28C), and one of the two extensions (10L/28R) has been completed.

In the earlier airfield layout runway 32L was often used for departures in a shortened configuration. Planes reached the runway at taxiway T10 (common) or taxiway N, formerly M (not common). This shortened the runway but allowed operations on runway 10L/28R to continue without restriction. The full length of the runway was available upon request, though with the extension of 10L/28R it was usually not needed. In May 2010 runway 14R/32L was permanently shortened to 9,685 feet (2,952 m) and it now starts at taxiway N.

O'Hare has a voluntary nighttime (2200–0700) noise abatement program.

The runway reconfiguration at O'Hare will also improve the airport for the A380 Super-Jumbo aircraft. On July 5, 2007 the runway previously designated 9R/27L became runway 10/28. On May 2, 2013, that same runway (10/28) became 10L/28R. On August 30, 2007, runway 9L/27R became 9R/27L.

On September 25, 2008, a 2,857-foot (871 m) extension to 10L/28R opened. On May 2, 2013, airport diagrams published by the FAA depicted the runway previously designated 10/28 as 10L/28R.

Runway 10C/28C was commissioned and opened for regular use on October 17, 2013. On October 17, 2013, airport diagrams published by the FAA depicted the runway as open.

Intra-airport transportation

Main article: Airport Transit System

Airport Transit System with Hilton Hotel in Background

Access within the airport complex can be accomplished using O'Hare's Airport Transit System (ATS), a 2.5 mi (4 km)-long automated people mover system that operates 24 hours a day, connecting all four terminals and the remote parking lots. The system began operation on May 6, 1993, and will soon experience a $240 million enhancement to add 15 new cars, upgrade the current infrastructure, and to extend the line to a new consolidated rental car facility where lot F is currently situated.

Other facilities

Nippon Cargo Airlines has its Americas regional office on the O'Hare property.

A large air cargo complex on the southwest side of the field was opened in 1984, replacing most of the old cargo area, which stood where Terminal 5 now exists. This complex sits right in the middle of the footprint for new runway 10C/28C, and is to be replaced by a new facility located on the northeastern portion of the airfield.

The new North Terminal Air Traffic Control Tower was completed in September 2008 and commissioned for use on November 20, 2008. The new tower was designed by DMJM Aviation-Holmes & Narver Aviation Partners JV (design principal Jose Luis Palacios).

The USO has a facility in Terminal 2 for the use of military personnel arriving or departing, as well as military recruits going to Recruit Training Command, which has a booth at O'Hare to coordinate transportation to Naval Station Great Lakes for Naval recruits arriving via airplane.

Ground transportation

CTA Blue Line station at O'Hare International Airport

Rail

Blue Line

Main article: O'Hare (CTA station)

Subway trains from the Blue Line of the Chicago Transit Authority's 'L' depart the terminal from an underground station, accessible by pedestrian tunnels from Terminals 1, 2, and 3. The station opened on September 3, 1984. Trains run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing connection via downtown Chicago to Forest Park.

Metra

Commuter trains from the Metra North Central Service stop at the O'Hare Transfer station, which is connected to the Airport Transit System via a shuttle bus.

Car

Road vehicles enter and exit via I-190, which branches off I-90 (the Kennedy Expressway) leading to downtown Chicago. Cars may also access the airport locally from Mannheim Road, the airport's eastern boundary. Aside from cargo access on its south side, all airport traffic travels through the east side of the airport. Local residents sometimes refer to I-190 as "the world's busiest Cul-de-sac" as a result of the one way access.

Taxi

Taxi and Limo Services also provide transportation to/from Chicago O'Hare Airport. Fares vary based on traffic, average fares from O'Hare to downtown Chicago are $30–$40.

Bus

Regional buses, taking passengers to Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin arrive and depart from the Bus / Shuttle Center. It is located on the ground level of the Main Parking Garage, accessible by pedestrian tunnels from Terminals 1, 2, and 3.

Cell Phone Lot

A cell phone lot can be reached via the North Mannheim Road exit off the I-190. Signs direct drivers to the Economy Parking Lot F/Cell Phone Lot. An information display provides arrival time updates.

Statistics

Traffic by calendar year

	Passenger volume	Change over previous year	Aircraft operations	Cargo tonnage
2000	72,144,244	00.64%	908,989	1,640,524.1
2001	67,448,064	06.51%	911,917	1,413,834.4
2002	66,565,952	01.31%	922,817	1,436,385.7
2003	69,508,672	04.40%	928,691	1,601,735.5
2004	75,533,822	08.67%	992,427	1,685,808.0
2005	76,581,146	01.38%	972,248	1,701,446.1
2006	76,282,212	00.30%	958,643	1,718,011.0
2007	76,182,025	00.15%	926,973	1,690,741.6
2008	70,819,015	07.03%	881,566	1,480,847.4
2009	64,397,782	09.07%	827,899	1,198,426.3
2010	67,026,191	03.83%	882,617	1,577,047.8
2011	66,790,996	00.35%	878,798	1,505,217.6
2012	66,834,931	00.04%	878,108	1,443,568.7
2013	66,909,638	00.12%	883,287	1,434,377.1
Source: O'Hare International Airport

Modernization plan

O'Hare's high volume and crowded schedule can lead to long delays and cancellations that, due to the airport being a major hub, can affect air travel across North America. Official reports rank O'Hare as one of the least punctual airports in the United States based on percentage of delayed flights. In 2004, United Airlines and American Airlines agreed to modify their schedules to help reduce congestion caused by clustered arrivals and departures. Because of the air traffic departing, arriving, and near the airport, air traffic controllers at O'Hare and its nearby facilities are among the leaders in the world in terms of number of controlled flights per hour.

City management has committed to a $6 billion capital investment plan to increase the airport's capacity by 60% and decrease delays by an estimated 79 percent. This plan was approved by the FAA in October 2005 and will involve a reconfiguration of the airfield and addition of terminal space. The plan includes the addition of four runways, the lengthening of two existing runways, and the decommissioning of two existing runways in order to give the airfield six parallel runways in a configuration similar to that in Dallas and other large modern hub airports. This plan was very controversial as the added improvements, at the time they were proposed, were expected to increase the airport's air traffic capacity only slightly, given existing FAA rules. Additionally, the southernmost new runway would require the city acquire additional land, which was extremely controversial as residents did not want to move.

The Modernization Plan is now being implemented; an additional runway and Air Traffic Control Tower were commissioned on November 20, 2008. The new north runway, designated 9L/27R, initially served as a foul weather arrival runway, addressing one of O'Hare's primary causes of delay, but now serves as one of three runways that can be used simultaneously for landings. An extension of Runway 10L/28R (formerly 10/28, and prior to that 9R/27L) to 13,001 feet (3,963 m) was commissioned for use on September 25, 2008, facilitating the shortening and eventual closure of the 13,000 feet (4,000 m) Runway 14R/32L. At the same time, the FAA redesigned departure routes for both O'Hare and Chicago Midway International Airport, increasing the number from three shared by both airports to five from each airport. With the new runway's opening, O'Hare's maximum aircraft arrival capacity increased from 96 planes per hour to 112 planes per hour; United Airlines's senior vice president of operations, Joseph Kolshak, told The Wall Street Journal that within a month of the runway's opening, "they were consistently hitting that."

As part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's $7.3 billion infrastructure modernization plan, announced in March 2012, the airport would receive an additional $1.4 billion over three years to hasten the completion of the modernization effort. The plan calls for accelerated completion of the fourth and final new runway as well as resumed negotiations with the airport's major airlines in an effort to boost O'Hare's overall capacity by 300,000 passengers per year by 2015.

The modernization plan has required the acquisition of 126 acres (51 ha) of land in Des Plaines, Illinois; construction of runway 27R and the control tower cost $457 million and involved the rerouting of a creek and 14,000,000 cubic yards (11,000,000 m³) of fill to build up an embankment.." 2,800 residents had to be relocated, as well as a cemetery with 900 known graves. The program ultimately is expected to expand the airport's capacity to over 3,800 operations per day, up from the present capacity of 2,700, and will vastly increase passenger throughput. It will also improve the ability of very large aircraft such as the A380 to operate.

Flight caps in place since 2004 expired on October 31, 2008. American Airlines eliminated over 60 daily flights at O'Hare because of rising fuel prices. United announced similar cutbacks. Recent worldwide economic difficulties further complicate the forecasts for airport demand.

After initially opposing the Modernization plan, DuPage County has endorsed the plan citing the creation of jobs, commercial development, and the ability of O'Hare to regain the status as busiest airport.

  existing runway

  new runway

  removed runway

• 

  Phase 1 (Complete, runway 18/36 was closed before)

• 

  Phase 2 (Complete)

• 

  Phase 3 (Beginning stages)

• 

  Final runway configuration

Resistance and alternatives

The neighboring communities of Bensenville and Elk Grove Village have been centers of resistance to the expansion plan, due to their proximity to the airport and because some of their residents and businesses would be required to relocate. Bensenville and Elk Grove Village formed the Suburban O'Hare Commission to fight the expansion. So far, they have not had much success. The commission did receive a temporary injunction against portions of the city's expansion project; however, it was soon overturned. The Suburban O'Hare Commission has also been instrumental in pushing for a third regional airport in south suburban Peotone, which it claims would alleviate congestion at O'Hare. However, no airline has committed to the proposed airport, and planning efforts moved very slowly during 2007–08. In 2008, Elk Grove Village ended resistance. They received assurance that a proposed highway would not be built through their business park. In November 2009, Bensenville officially ended all resistance to the expansion, ceasing all legal challenges against the city of Chicago. They received a one-time $16-million payment from Chicago. The city of Chicago also faced a five year court battle to acquire a small, historical cemetery located within the space of their planned runway expansion. A settlement was finally reached in December 2012, between St. John United Church of Christ in Bensenville and the city of Chicago. The city agreed to pay the church $1.3 million for the 5-acre (2.0 ha) parcel on the west side of the airport, which included a 2-acre (0.81 ha) burial ground established by the church in 1849. All told, 1,494 bodies were disinterred from the St. Johannes Cemetery and reburied at various cemeteries throughout the region.

In 1995, the Chicago/Gary Airport Compact was signed by the cities of Chicago and Gary, Indiana, creating a new administration for the Gary/Chicago International Airport just across the state line. While markedly smaller than the proposed Peotone site, this airport already has more land and a longer main runway than Midway Airport. Gary is also many miles closer than Peotone to downtown Chicago. In addition public transportation is already in place to the Loop via the South Shore Line. Indiana and the FAA have provided significant funding for a Gary runway expansion, currently under construction. However, the issue here is a large portion of the revenue that is generated would go to the state of Indiana as opposed to Chicago and the state of Illinois, the very entities the airport would mainly serve.

Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) in Rockford, Illinois has also marketed itself as an alternative for congestion at O'Hare. However, it is at least a 1-1/2 hour trip to Rockford from the Chicago Loop. Currently there is no direct transportation service from downtown Chicago or O'Hare to the Chicago Rockford International Airport, but airline service at the airport continues to grow. Larry Morrissey, the current mayor of Rockford, has pushed for a high-speed rail connection between the two airports to make the Rockford airport a more convenient alternative to O'Hare.

General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) in Milwaukee has consistently attempted to increase its usage by Chicago and Northern Illinois customers. There is a direct Amtrak rail service connecting Chicago with Mitchell Airport. The trains operate seven round trips each day, taking under 75 minutes from the Chicago loop.

Popular culture

O'Hare has been referenced by many movies, TV shows and songs:

• Arrests for drugs smuggling in Running Scared, and the start of the film's car chase scene were filmed at O'Hare.
• While the Chicago airport in Airport is named "Lincoln", Joe Patroni phones in that he is approaching Mannheim Road which is the eastern edge of O'Hare.
• O'Hare was frequently referenced in the TV show LAX.
• Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers: Greg Focker departs O'Hare on his way to New York. (However, the scenes were shot at Westchester County Airport for Meet the Parents, and LA/Ontario International Airport was used for Meet the Fockers)
• My Best Friend's Wedding: Julia Roberts' character meets her friend's fiancée at O'Hare.
• Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Steve Martin is trying to get back to O'Hare in the hit comedy.
• Home Alone and Home Alone 2: The McCallisters live in Winnetka, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and are seen departing from O'Hare's Terminal 3 in both movies.
• Home Alone 3: This time, Mrs. Hess arrives in the airport holding the wrong bag, which belongs to the antagonists. Because of that, the antagonists chase her without any notice from her.
• Risky Business: There is a scene where Joel takes his parents to O'Hare; nice highway approach shots and inside the ticketing area.
• Alkaline Trio's track "You're Dead" from the 2001 album From Here to Infirmary includes the line "If assholes could fly, this place would be busier than O'Hare."
• In a classic Looney Tunes cartoon, Bugs Bunny flies on a plane departing from "Oh, Hare! Airport."
• It is part of the title of the Chicago-based band The Academy Is...'s single "LAX to O'Hare". It is also part of the first line of the song, "It was a plane ride from LAX to O'Hare..."
• In the sixth season of the hit CBS show The Amazing Race, eleven teams of two began their race at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, where they boarded flights to either Minneapolis, Minnesota, Boston, Massachusetts, or Baltimore, Maryland and connected to Keflavík, Iceland.
• Many scenes of the airline-themed FOX TV show The Loop presumably take place at O'Hare, as the show is set partly at a large international airport in the Chicago area. However, the airport is never actually identified as O'Hare. Additionally, some exterior scenes are actually shot at LAX.
• In the 1996 Early Edition Episode "The Choice" Gary, Chuck and Marissa must make a choice between preventing the crash of a Boeing 747 taking off from O'Hare with more than 200 people on board, or preventing a little girl (Amanda Bailey) from being hit by a car while riding her bicycle in the Chicago neighborhood of Lincoln Park.
• Dave Carroll's song "United Breaks Guitars" is based on an incident that occurred with Carroll's luggage while at O'Hare.
• The 1997 Puff Daddy music video featuring Faith Evans for 'I'll Be Missing You' in commemoration of Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G" Wallace was partly filmed on the moving walkway between B and C concourses in Terminal 1.
• O'Hare is featured in the cover of Veronica Roth's novel, Allegiant. It is the primary location for much of the book.
• In the Left Behind series by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim Lahaye, Pan-Con airlines pilot Captain Rayford Steele is forced to return his 747 to O'Hare after the chaos following the Rapture closes many major American airports.

See also

• Golden Corridor, for the region of commerce and industry surrounding O'Hare and extending west, along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
• Proposed Chicago south suburban airport

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

External links

• Official website
• O'Hare International Airport Master Plan, Chicago Dept. of Aviation
• O’Hare Modernization Program, City of Chicago
• Ward 41 Map, City of Chicago
• O'Hare History, Northwest Chicago Historical Society
• Olson, William (4 January 2010). "Sustainable Airport Design Takes Flight: The O’Hare Modernization Program". GreenBeanChicago.com. 
• openNav: ORD / KORD charts
• FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective March 6, 2014
• Resources for this airport:
  • AirNav airport information for KORD
  • ASN accident history for ORD
  • FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
  • GlobalAir airport information for ORD
  • NOAA/NWS latest weather observations
  • SkyVector aeronautical chart for KORD
  • FAA current ORD delay information