Inside O’Hare (ORD): Detailed Guide with Terminals, Airlines & Passenger Stats

The O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago is not only one of the busiest airports in the United States, but it is also a major hub of international and domestic travel. No matter where you are traveling across the country or the ocean, there is a high likelihood that O'Hare is playing a significant role in linking your trip. So, why is ORD such a critical hub in the air travel industry? And what should one know before flying?

Where Is O'Hare (ORD)?

O'Hare International Airport is situated on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois, about 18.1 miles away from downtown Chicago. It is easily reachable through I-90 and also linked by the CTA Blue Line to facilitate easy access for people.

An International and Domestic Flight Hub

O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is not only a hectic airport, but it is a vital hub in the air transport system across the world. Being one of the largest airports, O'Hare(ORD) is a key hub in domestic U.S. air travel and international connectivity, and a major hub to both United Airlines and American Airlines.

Chicago O’Hare (ORD) operates a total of 1,201 daily flights, including 1,020 nonstop flights to 181 U.S. cities and approximately 126 direct flights to 67 international destinations, which means that passengers can book flights from Chicago almost any corner of the world to reach their destination directly. Whether you are in a big city such as New York, Los Angeles, or Miami in the United States or abroad in other major cities such as London, Tokyo, Frankfurt, and Dubai, O'Hare(ORD) provides unparalleled access to the skies.

Annual Passenger Traffic Report O'Hare (ORD) (2019 - 2024)

O'Hare(ORD) is one of the busiest airports in the USA as well as in the world, and millions of passengers transit through this airport annually. The following is a summary of the passenger statistics of the past five years:

What Do ORD Terminals Offer?

There are 4 major terminals and a total of 215 gates in O'Hare International Airport(ORD), which is the largest number of gates in any airport worldwide!

A basic breakdown of the 4 terminals in O'Hare International Airport  goes like this:

Terminal 1

• Operated by: United Airlines, Lufthansa, ANA (All Nippon Airways)

• Gates: 52 gates on Concourse B & C
  United's domestic and international flights mostly use it.

Terminal 2

• Operated by: United Express, some United flights, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue

• Gates: 41 gates on Concourse E & F
  Deals with regional flights and some other airlines.

Terminal 3

• Operated by: American Airlines, Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Spirit Airlines

• Gates: 80 gates on Concourses G, H, K & L
  Primarily the hub of American Airlines, with a few international flights.

Terminal 5

• Operated by: Delta, Frontier, Southwest + ALL international airlines not in Terminal 1-3

• Gates: 35 gates on Concourse M
  Also has the Customs & Border Protection area of international arrivals

• Tidbit: 3 gates here are capable of handling the huge Airbus A380!

Amenities and Services at O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

The following is a brief listing of dining, shopping, and service facilities at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Whether you want to sample the local cuisine, relax over a drink, or need travel essentials, something will satisfy your appetite in this terminal. 

EAT (Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars)

• America’s Dog                    C17

• Auntie Anne’s                     C18

• Beaudevin Wine Bar          C17

• Berghoff Café                     C26

• Billy Goat Tavern & Grill     C19

• Brioche Dorée                    C21

• Café Zoot!                          C19

• CHI Life Market                  C27

• McDonald’s                        B11 C11

PRE-SECURITY Dining

• Brioche Dorée

• Ciao Gourmet Market

SERVICES

• ATM - B9, C18 and T1 Upper level

• Mamava Lactation Pod - Baggage Claim, Before security,

• Mother’s room - C11, B7, C23

• Seaway Bank - Foreign currency exchange - B10 

• Shoe Hospital- B9, C18

• Travelers Aid -B10

• Clear Lane - B8

• Mobile Desk Station - C18

• Hilton Hotel/Health Club - Mezzanine Level, between Main Garage and Domestic Terminals

• Ticketing/Pre-Security & Baggage Claim - Multiple Locations

SHOP

• Barbara Bookstore - B10, C15

• Brookstone- C11

• CNN Newsstand Chicago-B9

• Duty-free store - B9, C17

• Field Museum Store -B8

• Hoypoloi, UnCommon Gallery- B6

(Check out the complete blueprint of O’Hare (ORD) services and amenities: https://www.flychicago.com/)

Runways

O’Hare(ORD) has eight runways, more than any other civilian airport worldwide. They are organized in two key groups on each side of the terminal area: one on the north, and one on the south. The majority of the runways are facing east-west, and this helps in handling strong winds and traffic.

It also has a crosswind runway (northeast to southwest), which is used periodically based on the weather. Three FAA control towers control the runways. O'Hare(ORD) also has a quiet hours policy (10:00 PM to 7:00 AM) to minimize noise to the surrounding residents.

Where Can I Rest at the Airport?

When you have to spend a night in the airport, the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport hotel will be your most suitable choice, and the only hotel on the territory of airport property. It is situated between the parking garage and the terminal area, and it is directly linked to Terminals 1-3, making it highly convenient. 

Easy Ground Transportation

O'Hare(ORD) is relatively easy to navigate around with several options:

Airport Transit System (ATS)

A free train operating 24 hours a day connecting all terminals (1 to 3), Terminal 5, and the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) - where you can rent cars and park.

Buses and Shuttles

The shuttle buses are available 24 hours a day and collect the passengers at the levels of departure terminals. The Bus Shuttle Center is near the parking garage and is used by local hotel shuttles and long-distance buses (such as Pace, Peoria Charter, and Wisconsin Coach Lines).

CTA Blue Line

The Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train will drop you off at ORD and get you directly into downtown Chicago (The Loop) in approximately 45 minutes, and it runs 24/7.

Airport Transportation

ORD is situated directly on Interstate 190, which has links to I-90, I-294, and U.S. Routes 12/45. That makes it convenient to drive to the city or the suburbs.

Cargo Operations

O'Hare(ORD) is also a mammoth air cargo hub. It contains two major cargo spaces:

• South Cargo Area: Serves airlines such as Lufthansa Cargo, American, JAL, and UPS. It has three parts: Southwest, South Central, and Southeast.

• Northeast Cargo Area (NEC): A more recent area that was once a military base. They are expanding it and have already added more than 750,000 square feet of warehouse space.

The airport is the fifth busiest in the U.S. in terms of more than 1.7 million tonnes of cargo annually.

Conclusions

Traveling to the Midwest or linking to a global location, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) has the size, pace, and convenience to take you there in style. It has been investing in its infrastructure and service improvements regularly so that it can be the preferred destination of travelers across the globe.

(Source - Wikipedia)