O'Hare International Airport

"ORD" redirects here. For other uses, see Ord (disambiguation).

"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 Airport System
Serves	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Hub for	Air Choice One American Airlines United Airlines Spirit Airlines
Elevation AMSL	668 ft / 204 m
Website	flychicago.com/About/...
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 10/28 13,001 3,962 Asphalt/Concrete 14L/32R 10,005 3,050 Asphalt 14R/32L 9,685 2,952 Asphalt/Concrete
Helipads
Number Length Surface ft m H1 200 61 Concrete
Statistics (2011)
Passenger volume 66,790,996
Sources: FAA and airport's website.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD), also known as O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Field, Chicago Airport, 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. 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 intracontinental flights.

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 Airlines after Houston-Bush. American Airlines (including American Eagle) has the second largest operation at O'Hare, carrying 37.08% of passengers. O'Hare is its second-largest hub after Dallas/Fort Worth. The airport used to be a focus city for Mexicana de Aviación and Pan American World Airways before they both ceased operations.

Prior to 2005, O'Hare was the world's busiest airport in terms of takeoffs and landings; prior to 1998, O'Hare was the busiest airport in the world in terms of the number of passengers. Mainly due to limits imposed by the federal government to reduce flight delays at O'Hare, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport became the busiest by the former metric in 2005. O'Hare is now the third busiest airport in the world with 66,665,390 passengers (after Atlanta and Beijing) passing through the airport in 2010, a +3.3% change from 2009. It is the world's second busiest airport in terms of 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 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 feet (61 m) wide, running along Foster Ave. 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.

The airport is named after Edward O'Hare, the U.S. Navy's first flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient in World War II.

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. The airport was renamed "O'Hare International Airport" in 1949.

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.

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 1970s Midway was nearly abandoned; it enjoyed a revival after startup carrier Midway Airlines began low-cost service there in 1979-80.

Pre-deregulation service

Prior to airline deregulation in 1978, a number of major airlines had focused operations at O'Hare.

American Airlines, United Airlines and Trans World Airlines operated numerous routes to the West Coast, Northeast and Midwest. TWA also served Europe nonstop from Chicago. Northwest Orient Airlines offered flights to the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, Florida and Hawaii, as well as service through Alaska to Japan and the Far East. Delta Air Lines served destinations in the Southeast and Midwest.

During this era, Terminal 1 was used for international flights. Terminal 2 (concourses D, E and F) served United, Ozark, Braniff, Eastern, Northwest, Continental and Piedmont. 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 Terminal 1 designed by Helmut Jahn, which was built between 1985 and 1987 on the site of the old international terminal. American renovated its existing facilities in Terminal 3 by 1990. Delta maintained a Chicago hub for some time, and opened a new Concourse L 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. A new Terminal 5 opened in 1993 to handle all international arrivals and many international departures. 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.

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.

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 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 exploded 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 taxiing 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. None of the 3 crew on board were killed but 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 onboard.
• 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 onboard.

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, 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 and several other Star Alliance airlines 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 53 gates on two concourses:

• Concourse B - 23 gates
• Concourse C - 30 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—Rhapsody in Blue is United Airlines' theme music—while moving through the walkway.

United Airlines runs a post-security shuttle service between Concourse C (Gate C-9) and Concourses E & F (Gate E-2A) 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 and Delta Air Lines. United Express also operates a number of flights from Terminal 2, but check-in for these flights is conducted in Terminal 1. Terminal 2 has 38 gates on two concourses:

• Concourse E - 16 gates
• Concourse F - 22 gates

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 planning upgrades to its facilities at Terminal 2, including 10 new jet bridges for its United Express flights and a newly constructed United Club as a replacement of the current club.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 houses the American Airlines hub, as well as departing flights for certain oneworld alliance carriers and unaffiliated domestic low-cost carriers. 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 primarily houses low-cost carrier operations. 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. 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.

Terminal 6 (under construction)

Terminal 6 is curently under construction. When completed, it will house most non hub airlines. It will have 32 gates on 2 concourses:

• Concourse N - 18 gates
• Concourse P - 14 gates

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	Cancún, Mexico City Sesonal: Morelia, Guadalajara	5M
Aeroméxico Connect	Durango (Mexico), Leon/El Bajio, Monterrey	5M
Air Canada	Montréal-Trudeau, Toronto-Pearson	2E
Air Canada Express operated by Jazz Air	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, Denver, 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, Orange County (CA), Orlando, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Raleigh/Durham, Reno/Tahoe, St. Louis, San Diego, San Francisco, San José (CA), San Juan, Seattle/Tacoma, Shanghai-Pudong, Tampa, Tokyo-Narita, Tucson, Tulsa, Washington-National, West Palm Beach Seasonal: Cozumel, Dublin, Eagle/Vail, Hayden/Steamboat Springs, Helsinki, Honolulu, Jackson Hole, Montego Bay, Palm Springs, Puerto Vallarta, Rome-Fiumicino, San José del Cabo, Toronto-Pearson	3H, 3K, 3L
AmericanConnection operated by Chautauqua Airlines	Bloomington/Normal, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Cincinnati, Dubuque, Flint, Fort Wayne, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Kalamazoo, La Crosse, Louisville, Madison, Milwaukee, Moline/Quad Cities, Oklahoma City, Peoria, Rochester (MN), Toledo, Wausau/Stevens Point, White Plains	3L
American Eagle	Albuquerque, Atlanta, Baltimore, Buffalo, Champaign/Urbana, Charlotte, Charlottesville, Chattanooga, Cleveland, Columbus (OH), Dayton, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Dubuque, El Paso, Evansville, Fargo, Fayetteville (AR), Grand Rapids, Green Bay, Harrisburg, Hartford, Houston-Intercontinental, Huntsville, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kalamazoo, Kansas City, Kitchener/Waterloo [begins June 14, 2012], Knoxville, La Crosse, Lexington, Little Rock, Madison, Manhattan (KS), Marquette, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Montréal-Trudeau, Nashville, New Orleans, Newark, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh/Durham, Rapid City, Richmond, Rochester (MN), Rochester (NY), Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Springfield (MO), Syracuse, Toledo, Toronto-Pearson, Traverse City, Tulsa, Washington-National, Waterloo, Watertown (NY), Wichita	3G, 3H
Apple Vacations operated by Frontier Airlines	Cancún, Huatulco, Los Cabos, Montego Bay, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, San José del Cabo	5M
Asiana Airlines	Seoul-Incheon	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	Seasonal: Paris-Charles de Gaulle	5M
Delta Connection operated by Chautauqua Airlines	Memphis	2E
Delta Connection operated by Comair	Cincinnati, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK	2E
Delta Connection operated by Compass Airlines	Cincinnati, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City [begins June 7, 2012]	2E
Delta Connection operated by ExpressJet	Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul	2E
Delta Connection operated by Pinnacle Airlines	Atlanta, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City	2E
Delta Connection operated by Shuttle America	Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul	2E
Delta Connection operated by SkyWest Airlines	Salt Lake City	2E
Delta Shuttle operated by Shuttle America	New York-LaGuardia	2E
Etihad Airways	Abu Dhabi	5M
Iberia	Madrid	3K
Japan Airlines	Tokyo-Narita	3K
JetBlue Airways	Boston, Long Beach, New York-JFK	3L
KLM	Amsterdam	5M
Korean Air	Seoul-Incheon	5M
LOT Polish Airlines	Warsaw-Chopin	5M
Lufthansa	Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich	1B
Royal Jordanian	Amman	5M
Scandinavian Airlines	Copenhagen, Stockholm-Arlanda	5M
Spirit Airlines	Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul [begins May 31, 2012], New York-LaGuardia, Orlando Seasonal: Atlantic City, Myrtle Beach	3L
Swiss International Air Lines	Zürich	5M
TACA Airlines	Guatemala City, San Salvador	5M
Turkish Airlines	Istanbul-Atatürk	5M
United Airlines	Albany, Amsterdam, Atlanta, Baltimore, Beijing-Capital, Boston, Brussels, Buffalo, Calgary, Cancún, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus (OH), Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Frankfurt, Grand Rapids, Harrisburg, Hartford, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Houston-Intercontinental, Jacksonville, 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 Juan, São Paulo-Guarulhos, Sarasota [begins November 4, 2012], Seattle/Tacoma, Shanghai-Pudong, Tampa, Tokyo-Narita, Toronto-Pearson, Vancouver, Washington-Dulles, Washington-National Seasonal: Anchorage, Aruba, Bozeman, Cozumel, Jackson Hole, Kahului, Liberia, Miami, Montego Bay, Palm Springs, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San José del Cabo, West Palm Beach	1B, 1C
United Express operated by Chautauqua Airlines	Cleveland	1B
United Express operated by Colgan Air	Cleveland	1B
United Express operated by ExpressJet	Akron/Canton, Albany, Allentown/Bethlehem, Appleton, Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham (AL), Bismarck, Buffalo, Burlington (VT), Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbia (SC), Columbus (OH), Dayton, Des Moines, Detroit, Fargo, Fayetteville (AR), Grand Rapids, Green Bay, Greensboro, Greenville/Spartanburg, Harrisburg, Hartford, Huntsville, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Lansing, Lexington, Lincoln, Little Rock, Louisville, Madison, Manchester (NH), Memphis, Montréal-Trudeau, Nashville, Newark, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Ottawa, Pensacola, Peoria, Pittsburgh, Portland (ME), Providence, Quebec City, Raleigh/Durham, Rapid City, Richmond, Roanoke, Rochester (NY), Savannah, Sioux Falls, South Bend, Springfield (MO), Syracuse, Toronto-Pearson, Traverse City, Tulsa, Wausau/Stevens Point, Wichita, Wilkes Barre/Scranton	1B, 1C, 2E*, 2F*
United Express operated by GoJet Airlines	Albany, Austin, Baltimore, Boise, Bozeman, Burlington (VT), Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Greensboro, Hartford, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Madison, Manchester (NH), Moline/Quad Cities, Montréal-Trudeau, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Philadelphia, Portland (ME), Providence, Richmond, Rochester (NY), St. Louis, San Antonio, Syracuse, Toronto-Pearson, Tulsa	1B, 1C, 2F
United Express operated by Mesa Airlines	Austin, Buffalo, Burlington (VT), Charleston (SC), Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Dayton, Des Moines, Detroit, Harrisburg, Hartford, Houston-Intercontinental, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Madison, Memphis, Miami, Nashville, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland (ME), Raleigh/Durham, Rochester (NY), San Antonio, Savannah, South Bend, Syracuse Seasonal: Grand Rapids	1B, 1C, 2E*, 2F*
United Express operated by Shuttle America	Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Buffalo, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Charlotte, Columbus (OH), Dallas/Fort Worth, Des Moines, Detroit, Edmonton, Fort Myers, Grand Rapids, Halifax, Hartford, Houston-Intercontinental, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Louisville, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Moline/Quad Cities, Montréal-Trudeau, New Orleans, New York-LaGuardia, Newark, Norfolk, Omaha, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Raleigh/Durham, Rochester (NY), St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, South Bend, Toronto-Pearson, Washington-National, White Plains Seasonal: Myrtle Beach, Spokane,	1B, 1C
United Express operated by SkyWest Airlines	Albuquerque, Allentown/Bethlehem, Asheville, Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham (AL), Boise, Calgary, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Charleston (WV), Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Dallas/Fort Worth, Dayton, Des Moines, Detroit, Duluth, Eau Claire, Edmonton, Fargo, Fort Wayne, Grand Rapids, Green Bay, Hancock/Houghton, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Knoxville, Lincoln, London (ON), Louisville, Madison, Memphis, Milwaukee, Moline/Quad Cities, Muskegon, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Ottawa, Paducah, Peoria, Pittsburgh, Quebec City, Regina, St. Louis, Saginaw, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Saskatoon, Sioux Falls, South Bend, Spokane, Springfield (IL), Syracuse, Traverse City, Tulsa, White Plains, Wichita, Winnipeg Seasonal: Aspen, Billings, Hayden/Steamboat Springs, Kalispell, Missoula, Rapid City	1B, 1C, 2E*, 2F*
United Express operated by Trans States Airlines	Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Charleston (SC), Cincinnati, Dayton, Greensboro, Harrisburg, Huntsville, Knoxville, Manchester (NH), Nashville, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Richmond, Roanoke, Rochester (NY), St. Louis, Syracuse	1B, 1C
US Airways	Charlotte, Philadelphia, Phoenix	2E, 2F
US Airways Express operated by Republic Airlines	Charlotte	2E, 2F
Virgin America	Los Angeles, San Francisco	3L
Virgin Atlantic Airways	Seasonal: London-Heathrow	5M
WestJet	Calgary, Vancouver	3L

• - Although Concourses E and F are part of Terminal 2, check-in and baggage claim for all United flights are in Terminal 1.

Former Airlines

• Aeroflot (Moscow-Sheremetyevo, Shannon)
• Air Jamaica (Montego Bay)
• Air One (Milan-Malpensa)
• Air Ukraine International (Kiev)
• America West Airlines (now US Airways flights)
• Austrian Airlines (Vienna)
• Aviacsa (Monterrey, Morelia)
• bmi (Manchester, UK)
• Continental Air Lines (now United Airlines flights)
• Czech Airlines (Prague)
• El Al Israel Airlines (Tel Aviv)
• Ecuatoriana de Aviacion (Quito)
• Icelandair (Reykjavík-Keflavík)
• Iceland Express (Reykjavik-Keflavik)
• Independence Air (Washington-Dulles)
• JAT Yugoslav Airlines (Belgrade, Zagreb)
• Kuwait Airways (Amsterdam, Geneva, Kuwait)
• Mexicana de Aviación (Aguascalientes, Cancun, Guadalajara, Leon, Mexico City, Monterrey, Morelia, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas)
• Northwest Airlines (now Delta Air Lines flights)
• Olympic Airways (Athens)
• Pakistan International Airlines (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore)
• Pan American World Airways (various)
• Phillipine Airlines (Manila)
• Reno Air (Reno-Tahoe)
• SABENA (Brussels)
• Singapore Airlines (Amsterdam, Singapore)
• Swissair (Zurich)
• TAESA (Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Leon, Mexico City, Morelia, Zacatecas)
• Tarom Romanian (Bucharest)
• TWA (various)
• USA3000 Airlines (various)
• Varig (Rio de Janeiro-Galeao, Sao Paulo-Guarulhos, Toronto-Pearson)

Traffic and statistics

Busiest International Routes from O'Hare (2009–2010)

Rank	Airport	Passengers	Carriers
1	London (Heathrow), United Kingdom	1,108,513	American, British Airways, United, Virgin Atlantic
2	Frankfurt, Germany	919,448	Lufthansa, United
3	Toronto (Pearson), Canada	747,713	Air Canada, Air Canada Express, American, United
4	Tokyo (Narita), Japan	651,643	All Nippon, American, JAL, United
5	Cancún, Mexico	400,424	American, Frontier, United
6	Paris (Charles de Gaulle), France	346,940	Air France, American, United
7	Montréal (Trudeau), Canada	345,384	Air Canada, Air Canada Express, American, United
8	Munich, Germany	318,762	Lufthansa, United
9	Mexico City, Mexico	318,063	Aeroméxico, American, United
10	Shanghai (Pudong), China	299,351	American, United

Top 10 domestic destinations (February 2011 – January 2012)

Rank	Airport	Passengers	Carriers
1	New York (LaGuardia), New York	1,307,000	American, Delta, Spirit, United
2	Los Angeles, California	1,125,000	American, Spirit, United, Virgin America
3	San Francisco, California	1,029,000	American, United, Virgin America
4	Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas	925,000	American, Spirit, United
5	Boston, Massachusetts	817,000	American, JetBlue, Spirit, United
6	Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota	721,000	American, Delta, United
7	Washington (National), D.C.	688,000	American, United
8	Atlanta, Georgia	669,000	American, Delta, United
9	Denver, Colorado	662,000	American, Spirit, United
10	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	662,000	American, United, US Airways

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
ABX Air	Cincinnati
Aerologic	Atlanta, Leipzig/Halle
AeroUnion	Mexico City
AirBridgeCargo Airlines	Amsterdam, Moscow-Domodedovo
Air China Cargo	Anchorage, Beijing-Capital
Air France Cargo	Dublin, Glasgow-Prestwick, Paris-Charles de Gaulle
Asiana Airlines	Seoul-Incheon
Atlas Air	Anchorage
British Airways World Cargo operated by Global Supply Systems	Houston-Intercontinental, London-Stansted, Washington-Dulles
Cargolux	Anchorage, Atlanta, Hong Kong, Indianapolis, Luxembourg, New York-JFK
Cathay Pacific Cargo	Amsterdam, Anchorage, Dallas/Fort Worth, Hong Kong, Houston-Intercontinental, San Francisco
China Airlines	Anchorage, Taipei-Taoyuan
China Cargo Airlines	Shanghai-Pudong
China Southern Airlines	Shanghai-Pudong
DHL
Emirates SkyCargo	Dubai
EVA Air	Anchorage, Taipei-Taoyuan
Evergreen International Airlines
FedEx Express	Indianapolis, Memphis, Newark
Kalitta Air	Newark, New York-JFK
Korean Air Cargo	Seoul-Incheon
LOT Polish Airlines operated by Cargojet Airways	Katowice, Warsaw-Chopin
Lufthansa Cargo	Anchorage, Frankfurt, Mexico City
Lufthansa Cargo operated by World Air Cargo	Frankfurt
Nippon Cargo Airlines	Tokyo-Narita, Anchorage
Polar Air Cargo	Anchorage, Tokyo-Narita
Qantas Freight operated by Atlas Air	Chongqing, Melbourne, Sydney
Qatar Airways Cargo	Amsterdam, Doha
Singapore Airlines Cargo	Anchorage, Singapore, Xiamen
Southern Air	Anchorage, Seoul-Incheon
UPS Airlines	Cologne/Bonn, Columbus-Rickenbacker, Louisville, Philadelphia
World Airways Cargo	Baltimore, Hong Kong, Milan-Malpensa
Yangtze River Express	Anchorage, Shanghai-Pudong

Facilities

Runways

Runway layout at ORD

With the opening of new runway 9L/27R in November 2008, there are now seven primary air carrier runways, arranged tangentially in three parallel sets. The largest is Runway 10–28, 13,001′ x 150′. Runways 9L, 10, 14L, 14R, 27L, 27R and 28 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 have full Category I ILS. Due to its location and prevailing winds, runway 4L is seldom used for landings. Therefore, it is equipped with a localizer, the horizontal guidance component of an ILS system, but does not have a glideslope, the vertical component.

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

Three of the original 1943 airfield's four runways (14L/32R, 9R/27L, and 4L/22R) have been upgraded to modern standards. Runway 14R/32L was added in 1955, 9R/27L (now designated 10/28) in 1968, 4R/22L in 1971 and the new 9L/27R in 2008. In 2003, the fourth original runway (18/36) was permanently closed; its short length, lack of use, and problematic placement no longer justified continued certification. Runway 18/36 is now shown as taxiway WT on current airport charts.

The ongoing 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 2 existing east–west runways (9R/27L and 10L/28R, shown on current charts as 10/28). The two existing northeast–southwest (4/22 L/R) runways will be retained. Currently, one of the four new runways has been constructed (9L/27R), and one of the two extensions (10/28) has been completed. The second new runway (10C/28C) is currently under construction.

In the original airfield configuration, runway 32L was often used for departures in a shortened configuration. Planes accessed the runway from its intersection at taxiway T10 (common) or taxiway M (not common). This shortened the effective length of the runway but allowed operations on runway 10/28 to continue without restriction. The full length of the runway was available upon request, though with the extension of 10/28 it was usually not needed. As part of the ongoing reconfiguration, in May 2010 runway 14R/32L was permanently shortened to 9,685-foot (2,952 m), and it now starts at taxiway M.

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

The runway reconfiguration program at O'Hare will also improve the airport for the A380 Super-Jumbo aircraft. As part of the runway reconfiguration program, on July 5, 2007, the runway previously designated 9R-27L became runway 10–28, and on August 30, 2007, runway 9L/27R became 9R/27L.

On September 25, 2008, a 2,857-foot (871 m) extension to 10/28 was opened.

Access to airport

CTA Blue Line station at O'Hare International Airport

• 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.
• Subway trains from the Blue Line of the Chicago Transit Authority's 'L' depart the terminal from an underground station that opened on September 3, 1984.
• 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.
• Taxi and Limo Services can also get you to/from Chicago O'Hare Airport.

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 be soon undergoing a US $90 million enhancement to add 24 new cars and to extend the line to a new remote parking garage.

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.

The hangar area has multiple buildings capable of fully enclosing aircraft up to the size of the Boeing 747.

The new North Terminal Air Traffic Control Tower was designed by AECOM (design principal Jose Luis Palacios).

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
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 10/28 (formerly 9R/27L) to 13,001 feet (3,963 m) was opened in September, 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. Ironically, American Airlines eliminated over 60 daily flights at O'Hare because of soaring 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)
• 
  Phase 2 (Extension complete, runway 14R/32L shortened to 9,685 feet (complete), future runway 10C/28C under construction)
• 
  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 will 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 15 million dollars. It should also be noted that the city of Chicago is facing an issue with a historical cemetery located in the space of their planned runway expansion. Up until recently, the city was removing graves. This stopped when a state court stepped in on behalf of the buried's kin.

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.

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

• Christmas Vacation: Clark Griswold says that Santa Claus has been spotted by air traffic controllers at 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 Epidode "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.

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 the Air Force Historical Research Agency

External links

• O'Hare International Airport (official web site)
• O'Hare airport Modernization plan
• Comprehensive information about O'Hare Airport
• O'Hare Modernization Program (official web site)
• 41st ward map (official city web site)
• The Northwest Chicago Historical Society's page on O'Hare
• openNav: ORD / KORD charts
• FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective October 31, 2024
• ORD WiFi Internet Service Guide
• Chicago O'Hare International Airport Information
• Resources for this airport:
  • AirNav airport information for KORD
  • ASN accident history for ORD
  • FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
  • NOAA/NWS weather observations: current, past three days
  • SkyVector aeronautical chart for KORD
  • FAA current ORD delay information
• An article by urbanologist William Olson discussing the OMP's sustainable design features. Retrieved January 13, 2009