O’Hare vs. Midway: Which airport should I fly into?

Guests to Chicago have two airports to select from: O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD), a sprawling advanced in Chicago’s northwest nook, or Halfway Worldwide Airport (MDW), which provides extra handy entry to town however with fewer flights.

Completely different airways usually give attention to completely different airports; for instance, Southwest Airways flyers have the very best choice out of Halfway, whereas these flying American Airways, United Airways or internationally will probably find yourself at O’Hare. However the two are roughly 30 miles aside — so it is necessary to plan strategically to your wants.

This information examines the professionals and cons of every airport.

Since O’Hare has a number of terminals, it would take 5 to 10 minutes to get out and in of the airport space. No matter timing, you are more likely to encounter rush hour site visitors en path to O’Hare all through most mornings and evenings. Subsequently, I’d plan for 45 minutes to an hour to get downtown from O’Hare. Cabs cost a flat rate to go downtown — round $40 — whereas ride-hailing providers can price wherever between $35 and $60.

The most cost effective possibility is taking the Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line rail, obtainable from Terminals 1, 2 or 3 or by way of a free airport shuttle from Terminal 5. Journey time is about 50 minutes to an hour, relying on the time of day. Nonetheless, when you’ve got numerous checked baggage, a cab could also be advisable, because the trains don’t have baggage racks and a few of the stations are solely accessible by way of stairs.

Halfway, alternatively, is roughly half-hour from The Loop and customarily much less vulnerable to site visitors delays than O’Hare — however I’d nonetheless anticipate to come across some site visitors. That is very true should you’re touring on a Sunday when the Chicago Bears are enjoying at Soldier Discipline. Interstate 55 runs previous the sphere en path to the airport and can get backed up. You may also take the Orange Line to downtown or contemplate an Uber or Lyft for roughly $30 or a cab for $35 to $40.

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Winner: No matter how you propose on touring to town from the airport, Halfway comes out forward — much less site visitors, shorter drives, cheaper Ubers and fewer time spent on the prepare should you’re headed downtown. Vacationers to different Chicago neighborhoods or the suburbs might really feel in another way, although. For instance, these headed to northwest neighborhoods may discover O’Hare extra handy — even when the site visitors provides an undesirable headache when attending to or from the airport.

Airways and flight choices

In terms of airways, O’Hare and Halfway couldn’t be extra completely different. In keeping with OAG’s 2024 annual report of the world’s busiest airports, O’Hare was the Tenth-busiest airport in 2024. Per knowledge sourced by analytics agency Cirium, 735,881 planes departed from ORD in 2024.

O’Hare additionally stands out amongst U.S. airports as a significant hub for 2 completely different airways, United and American. Southwest Airways began flying out of O’Hare in 2021 as effectively, including to the aggressive combine.

Halfway offered 26.6 million seats throughout 166,453 departures in 2024, per Cirium. Southwest stays the dominant provider at Halfway with 23.5 million seats and practically 150,000 departures in 2024, adopted by Frontier (1.4 million seats and seven,785 departures), Volaris (689,694 seats and three,775 departures), Delta Air Strains (642,784 seats and seven,054 departures) and Porter (131,742 seats and 1,689 departures).

Of the practically 94 million seats offered out of O’Hare in 2024, United served 44 million throughout greater than 352,000 departures, adopted by American (28.1 million seats and 255,061 departures), Spirit (3.6 million seats and 17,816 departures), Delta (3.5 million seats and 27,476 departures) and Southwest (2.2 million seats and 13,687 departures). United is the clear winner amongst U.S. carriers that fly internationally.

In terms of worldwide flights, ORD has a number of notable carriers working from the airport to locations around the globe, together with:

• Aeromexico
• Aer Lingus
• Air Canada
• Air France
• Air India
• Air New Zealand
• Alaska Airways
• ANA
• Avianca Airways
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Emirates
• Etihad Airways
• Finnair
• ITA Airways
• Iberia
• Icelandair
• Japan Airways
• JetBlue
• KLM
• LOT Polish Airways
• Lufthansa
• Qatar Airways
• Royal Jordanian Airways
• Swiss
• Scandinavian Airways
• TAP Air Portugal
• Turkish Airways

Regardless of the place on the earth you are heading, there is a good probability you’ll be able to fly instantly from O’Hare.

Halfway, alternatively, is a key a part of Southwest’s community, which operates an awesome majority of the flights out of the airport. Delta Air Strains — which has a comparatively small presence at O’Hare — is another of the seven airlines to function from Halfway.

Winner: For AvGeeks and street warriors, there’s one thing particular about O’Hare. American and United have expansive home route networks and there aren’t many locations you’ll be able to fly to from Halfway you can’t fly to from O’Hare. Add within the host of worldwide carriers, and O’Hare probably wins for a lot of. Nonetheless, as a neighborhood, I a lot desire Halfway for the shorter commute. With fewer folks, there appear to be fewer issues, and this creates a better, extra nice airport expertise total.

Airport facilities and perks

For my part, neither airport is a spot I like spending extra time than I’ve to, however others might disagree.

The sprawl of runways and terminals at O’Hare usually results in lengthy taxi occasions and random delays. Plus, it lacks a lot of the high-end purchasing you’ll find at newer and worldwide airports. Nonetheless, there are some nice lounges at O’Hare.

It is also value noting that the airport is presently present process a 10-year major modernization project that can add 19 new gates to its present Concourse C. The O’Hare 21 Terminal Space Plan contains two satellite tv for pc concourses, a brand new O’Hare World Terminal (changing Terminal 2) and an underground tunnel connecting the brand new services. Building is anticipated to be accomplished in 2028.

An apparent win for O’Hare is town being residence to the United HQ, which makes the airport the plain selection for United flyers. Because of this, you’ll find 4 United Golf equipment and the nation’s first revamped Polaris Lounge. In 2024, I visited all the United Golf equipment and the high-end Polaris Lounge. The 4 United Golf equipment are comparatively comparable, various minimally in measurement, design and newness. The latest club, which opened in 2023, boasts loads of pure mild and house for vacationers in Terminal 1.

The Polaris Lounge is opulent, with personal shaded daybed leases atop 145-degree heated Saks Fifth Avenue linens, showers and heat towels upon checking in. Plus, it is the one Polaris within the nation with a chandelier, the place each ball represents a metropolis avenue in Chicago. The Polaris Lounge is throughout from the duty-free retailer, accessible to worldwide clients touring in United Polaris and premium Star Alliance cabins.

United Club℠ Infinite Card holders ($525 annual price) obtain limitless complimentary United Membership entry for themselves and as much as two friends per go to. In the meantime, the United℠ Explorer Card contains two single-use United Membership passes yearly. You may also pay for a United Membership membership with both money or miles, with costs various by United Premier elite status level.

O’Hare additionally has three American Airways Admirals Golf equipment and one American Airlines Flagship Lounge, all in Terminal 3.

In our expertise, there may be normally room to take a seat down and seize a chew to eat. The foods and drinks choice is primary, however you will not go hungry with a collection of chilly cuts, soups and different snacks.

These with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) obtain complimentary Admirals Membership entry, as do Concierge Key members.

The one different free solution to entry a membership is by holding an eligible premium ticket, particularly business- and first-class tickets on worldwide American- or Oneworld-operated and home flagship-ticketed flights for particular routes.

In any other case, AAdvantage members pays for entry in numerous methods, ranging in worth from $550 to $650, relying on their standing stage.

No matter the way you acquire entry to the Admirals Membership, vacationers should current a same-day American, JetBlue or different Oneworld provider boarding cross to take action, excluding lifetime Admirals Membership members (who’ve lifetime entry, because the identify suggests).

The Flagship Lounge is a step above with fewer crowds, devoted service desks and nice views of the airport.

You will additionally discover an elevated collection of meals and drinks with buffet-style dishes specified by an enormous unfold.

O’Hare additionally has a Delta Sky Membership, one in all our favorites in the system. This lounge has greater than 22,000 sq. ft of house, showers, nice views of the airport and Delta jets and two bars. There’s even a Chicago-style scorching canine vendor.

Associated: Delta unveils Sky Club and Terminal 5 gates at Chicago’s O’Hare airport

Our favourite characteristic of this membership is that it additionally has two boarding gates! One is used for flights to its hub at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and the opposite is for worldwide Delta companions like Air France.

Prime-tier Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion members can redeem Alternative Advantages for a Delta Sky Club membership, whereas any Delta standing holder pays money or redeem miles for a Delta Sky Membership membership.

Some premium bank cards present complimentary lounge entry, and there are additionally a wide range of paid choices to enter a Sky Membership, as long as you aren’t flying primary economic system.

For instance, The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card all present complimentary entry for same-day Delta-operated flights or Delta-marketed WestJet flights, excluding Delta basic economy or equal companion fares.

As of Feb. 1, 2025, Delta has capped Sky Membership visits yearly (Feb. 1 to Jan. 31) to 10 visits for Amex Platinum and Amex Enterprise Platinum and 15 visits for Delta Reserve Amex and Delta Reserve Enterprise Amex cardholders.

Lastly, there is a Swissport Lounge in Terminal 5 accessible by way of the Precedence Cross. This lounge is skippable, for my part — we peeked in, and the lounge was fairly sad-looking..

Lastly, a lounge at Halfway

As of September, Midway has its first lounge after 96 years of existence. The Membership MDW is in Concourse B and is open every day from 4 a.m. till 10 p.m. for all vacationers. It is a part of the Priority Pass network; non-Precedence Cross members also can entry the membership for $50 every day.

The Membership MDW is actually a welcome addition after practically 100 years. I’d anticipate capability points over time, although, as I discovered it very crowded on a current go to, with few locations to take a seat.

Winner: Though most of O’Hare’s lounges are off-limits except you are flying in a premium cabin or maintain top-tier elite standing, there are at the least a spread to select from. The addition of Halfway’s inaugural lounge might encourage vacationers to get to the airport sooner than they’d have beforehand, nevertheless — and I think the Membership will work out its preliminary kinks in time.

Backside line

After practically three years in Chicago, I’ve a love-hate relationship with O’Hare, regardless of my rising allegiance to United. However the annoyance I really feel each time I order an Uber to or from O’Hare is unmatched, as I anticipate invariable site visitors.

Since I primarily flew Southwest growing up, I’ve all the time had a mushy spot in my coronary heart for the airline and, thus, Halfway.

In the event you’re flying internationally or you might be loyal to United or American, you may be flying out of O’Hare. But when Southwest is an effective possibility for home journey, the often-overlooked Halfway is value being attentive to.

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