Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD) is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, and one of the busiest airports in the world by passenger traffic. Located about 27 km northwest of downtown Chicago, ORD is the main hub for United Airlines (UA) and American Airlines (AA), and a key base for Southwest Airlines (WN) and Spirit Airlines (NK).

Opened in 1944 as Orchard Field, the airport was renamed in 1949 in honour of Edward “Butch” O’Hare, a US Navy fighter ace. O’Hare is the second-busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic, after Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL). The airport operates four passenger terminals — Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and Terminal 5 — connected by the Airport Transit System (ATS), an automated people mover that runs 24 hours a day. Terminal 5 handles all international arrivals and most international departures, while Terminals 1, 2, and 3 serve domestic flights.

ORD connects to over 210 destinations across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, served by more than 30 airlines. It is a key hub for United Airlines (UA) and American Airlines (AA), and a major gateway between the Midwest and the rest of the world. Popular international routes include London (LHR), Frankfurt (FRA), Tokyo (HND, NRT), Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), and Mexico City (MEX).

In 2024, Chicago O’Hare International Airport handled over 80 million passengers, making it one of the busiest airports in the world. The airport is currently undergoing a multi-billion-dollar modernisation programme called “O’Hare 21”, which includes the construction of a new Global Terminal, additional gates, and a complete redesign of the terminal area.