Capping off the busiest summer travel season since before the pandemic, the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is prepared to welcome nearly 1.75 million passengers to O’Hare and Midway International Airports between Thursday, Aug. 29 and Tuesday, Sept. 3, based on initial airline projections, an 8.9% increase in traffic compared to 2023.

“Chicago just welcomed tens of thousands of visitors for the Democratic National Convention, and this Labor Day weekend, we are excited to celebrate with even more visitors from across the world,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Travelers will enjoy new amenities and features at O’Hare and Midway Airports, including some of our famous local restaurants and works by inspiring Chicago artists. The labor movement in America was built on Chicago’s big shoulders, and I hope visitors find time to celebrate our rich history and the sacrifices made because Summertime Chi is not over yet in our beautiful city.”

O’Hare will have one of the busiest Labor Day weekends in its history, welcoming 1.44 million passengers, a whopping 10.2% increase over 2023 and a 5.9% increase over Labor Day weekend in 2019, which was the busiest year in O’Hare’s history. The busiest travel day at O’Hare will be Monday, Sept. 2, when more than 270,000 people will travel through the airport.

As for Midway, the busiest square mile in aviation will welcome more than 306,000 people over the next six days, a 3% increase over 2023. The busiest travel day will be Friday, Aug. 30, when the airport expects more than 58,000 travelers.

The traffic volume comes as various activities, such as the Chicago Jazz Festival and the North Coast Music Festival, will be happening throughout Chicago during Labor Day weekend, marking the unofficial end of the summer season.

“This has been a unique summer, packed with major festivals and conventions that have brought travelers throughout the country and beyond to our great city,” said CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee. “Time and again, CDA employees at O’Hare and Midway have stepped up to provide first-class service and assistance to passengers. Our workers once again stand ready to make the traveling experience as seamless as possible for those making their way through our airports this holiday weekend.”    

Travelers who are making their way to and through Chicago’s airports are reminded of the following tips:

Prevent Traffic Congestion

Traffic to and from Chicago's airports is often heavy over holiday weekends. Motorists on their way to either O’Hare or Midway can minimize congestion by the following tips:      

• Taking public transit to avoid curbside crowds.The CTA Blue Line provides 24/7 service to O'Hare, and the CTA Orange Line serves Midway between 4 a.m. and 1 a.m. Additionally, Metra's North Central Service offers weekday service from downtown Chicago's Union Station to the O'Hare transfer station next to the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF), with access to the Airport Transit System (ATS).
• Utilizing Kiss n' Fly drop-offs at both airports.At Midway, drivers can drop off passengers at West 59th Street and South Kilpatrick Avenue, which is a short walk to the terminals. At O'Hare, passengers can be dropped off at the MMF that is located at 10255 W. Zemke Blvd., and board the ATS for a short ride to Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5.
• Waiting in Cell Phone Lots for arriving passengers.Cell phone lots are available for free at both airports for those picking up travelers. The O'Hare Cell Phone Lot is located at 560 N. Bessie Coleman Drive, and the Midway Cell Phone Lot is located on the southeast corner of West 61st Street and South Cicero Avenue.

Latest on Terminal Upgrades

Passengers traveling through Terminal 3 may notice construction taking place, which is for the ElevateT3 development, a $300 million investment in the airport's older terminal facilities. Scheduled for completion in 2027, ElevateT3 will upgrade customer amenities, improve security screening and expand access for customers with disabilities. The project — which broke ground this April — will also reconfigure Terminal 3’s baggage claim area and make other upgrades to the terminal's baggage facilities. No significant impacts to passenger operations are expected at Terminal 3 as a part of the project.

At Terminal 5, new garage construction continues atop the current surface parking lot, which at the present time severely limits available parking at Lot D. During the ongoing construction, O'Hare visitors who are picking up friends or family arriving in Terminal 5 are encouraged to wait in the cell phone lots. When the new garage opens in October, it will more than double the number of the terminal’s available parking spaces, along with expanding capacity to offer a mix of short- and long-term parking options, like those in the airport's other terminals.

Meanwhile, west of Terminals 1 and 2, construction crews are involved with site preparation work for Satellite Concourse 1, the first major component of the O’Hare 21 Terminal Area Plan. Present airfield construction for this development will have no effect on operations. Learn more about the development at ord21.com.

Check Airport Parking Updates

Economy lots at O'Hare often reach capacity during peak travel weekends. Before leaving for O'Hare, passengers planning to park at the airport are encouraged to check the status of available spaces by going to flychicago.com/ORDParking. Reserved parking is also available on a limited basis for certain O'Hare lots – more information can be found on FlyChicago.com.

FlyChicago.com also provides parking lot status, pricing information and advance reservations for Midway's lots and garages. Additional information on Midway parking can be found at mdw.clickandpark.com.

Arrive Early

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may experience longer than usual wait times at security checkpoints given the influx of travelers into the airports. Real-time updates for O'Hare TSA checkpoints are available at FlyChicago.com.

At O'Hare, CLEAR Lanes and enrollment options are available in Terminal 5 for PreCheck-eligible travelers and standard security. CLEAR Lanes are also available at O'Hare Terminals 1 and 2, as well as at Midway in the main terminal building.

To expedite the screening process, travelers should consult TSA guidelines to ensure there are no prohibited items in their carry-on or checked baggage, and that all foods are packed in accordance with the TSA's rules regarding liquids.

Mobile Passport Control

CBP offers a Mobile Passport Control (MPC) smartphone app to help streamline the international arrival process for U.S. passport holders at O’Hare. MPC allows eligible travelers to submit travel documents, a photo of themselves and customs declaration information from their own phones to reduce passport inspection time and overall wait times when entering the U.S.

Eligibility for MPC currently applies to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1 and B2 visa holders, as well as returning Visa Waiver Program applicants. More information on the program is available on CBP’s website.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program

The CDA has partnered with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program to promote accessibility throughout O’Hare and Midway.

The program raises awareness of hidden disabilities and creates more accessible and inclusive spaces by way of a sunflower symbol displayed on a lanyard. More than 1 billion people globally experience some form of disability, but not all conditions are visible.

Passengers can find lanyards at information booths at both airports.

Aira Visual Interpretation App

Passengers at O’Hare and Midway who are blind or have low vision can receive assistance with the help of the Aira app, now available at both airports. The app, developed by visual interpreting company Aira, is free for users inside the airports.

Users can access the Aira app on a smartphone or other device and connect with a trained visual interpreter. The user will receive assistance from information conveyed by surroundings either from a camera view or what is shared on a screen. The official Aira “Interpreter” is then able to send directions back to a user – or “Explorer” – so they can check in for a flight, go through security checkpoints or locate concessions.

Aira’s services are available at O’Hare and Midway 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Patriotic Activity Books

For young travelers, “Welcome to Chicago” patriotic coloring and activity books are available at information desks at O’Hare and Midway, and online at FlyChicago.com/jrflightcrew. The nine-page illustrated books — in English and Spanish — feature greetings to readers from Mayor Johnson and Chicago’s First Lady, Stacie Johnson, as well as drawings and puzzles that provide readers with information about U.S. history, the City of Chicago, Chicago’s airports and Chicago neighborhoods.  

Entertainment for Ticketed Passengers

#ChiontheFly wraps up its summer season entertainment series during Labor Day weekend at both O’Hare and Midway. Drummer Gustavo Cortiñas performs at Midway’s baggage claim area from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, while one-man band Alfonso Ponticelli — who specializes in American and gypsy jazz, as well as flamenco music — entertains travelers at O’Hare’s Terminal 1 bridge from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30.

Patriotic Décor

O’Hare and Midway have been decked out in the stars and stripes for the summer, and the decorations will remain at both airports through the holiday weekend, displayed throughout the terminals and passenger check-in areas, as well as on roadways and welcome signage.

New Concessions

There are a variety of new options for dining and shopping on the go at O’Hare and Midway. At Midway, local favorite R.J. Grunts is open near Gate B16. Recent openings at O’Hare include Publican Quality Bread in Terminal 5 near Gate M5; Metropolis Coffee, BLDV & Branch and Six Points Market in Terminal 5 near Gate M30; and InMotion in Terminal 5 near Gate M29.

New Passenger Amenities

Several new amenities are available to enhance the traveling experience for visitors at Chicago’s airports.

At Midway, the Kids Play Area is open in Concourse A near Gate A5, with carpeted flooring and comfortable cushioned seating for parents. New seating areas are also available in Concourse A as well as at the recently renovated Central Market, located at the intersection of Concourses A and B.

At O’Hare, three Service Animal Relief Areas (SARAs) have recently been added – one in Terminal 3 near Gate L26 and two in Terminal 5’s Lower Level baggage claim area. A Mother’s Room has also recently been added to Terminal 3 near Gate L26.

General Information

Travelers bound for Chicago's airports can make the most informed decisions about how to access any of the aforementioned airport services by visiting FlyChicago.com. The website contains real-time information about flights, parking updates, taxicab wait times, available concessions and other special alerts for the traveling public. The “My Flight" search page shows specific flight updates, amenities located near the flight gate and other targeted travel resources.

About the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA)

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) owns and operates one of the world's busiest airport systems, comprised of O'Hare and Midway International Airports. Chicago's airports offer service to more than 260 nonstop destinations worldwide, including 76 international destinations, combined. Together, Chicago's airports serve nearly 100 million passengers each year and generate approximately $70 billion in annual economic activity for the region, while supporting 700,000 jobs throughout nine area counties. More than 54,000 employees work directly at O’Hare and Midway.

The CDA is self-supporting, using no local or state tax dollars for operations or capital improvements at either airport. For more information, visit flychicago.com.

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