CHICAGO—Chicago’s airports have been acknowledged as the best according to a new study by the Eno Center for Transportation, a leading independent think-tank, measuring the quality of domestic air service for 47 key U.S. metropolitan areas. The FlyScore metric ranked Chicago highest in the nation with a score of 94, based on the high level of connectivity of its two airports, O’Hare and Midway International Airports.

“Being home to the most connected and competitive airports in the country is another strong asset for Chicago residents, businesses and visitors to this great city,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “While it is great to be recognized as number one, Chicagoans have never rested on our laurels. Today Chicago is investing in transformative projects at O’Hare and Midway airports to ensure the future of our aviation system is even brighter than our remarkable past.”    

Chicago ranked highest with a FlyScore of 94, outpacing other top hubs like Denver, Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta. Overall, Chicago was recognized for its dual airport structure, low fares and 170 domestic destinations - plus three major airlines that use Chicago as a major base of operations for United, American and Southwest Airlines. In addition, the study noted that Midway has the lowest average fare of any airport in the country.

“The 2017 FlyScore confirms that Chicago’s airports are among the best when it comes to delivering outstanding flight connectivity and a multitude of travel options for our passengers,” said Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Ginger S. Evans. “Chicago’s connectivity will only get stronger as we continue to modernize and improve O’Hare and Midway airports, making them best-in-class aviation facilities for travelers in Chicago and worldwide.”   

 “The sheer number of direct domestic flights out of Chicago airports far outpaces other large airports in the United States,” said Robert Puentes, President and CEO of the Eno Center for Transportation. “Aside from competitive pricing, airline options, and a high number of daily flights, Chicago’s central location provides ample opportunities for service to all parts of the United States.”

The new “FlyScore” metric takes into account the following four variables considered to be the most meaningful to fliers and regional economies – the number of direct domestic destinations served, the frequency of domestic flights, competition and the average cost of a one-way fare in and out of the region. The analysis was done using Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, and all scores can be found at: https://www.enotrans.org/etl-material/flyscore.