O'Hare International Airport
In 2007, O'Hare International Airport had over 96,024 international flights, representing nearly 12 million international passangers.
Currently, O'Hare is the 2nd busiest airport in the world for both passengers and number of flights.
In order to provide additional travel convenience to convention, trade show and meeting visitors, McCormick Place has partnered with Baggage Airline Guest services (BAGS) to create a seamless baggage service between their event site and post-show travel destination through BAGS' Skycap program. This service is available to all attendees departing on domestic flights from O'Hare International Airport on American, Delta, song, Ted and United Airlines.
As construction of the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) progresses, taxiways at O’Hare are being re-designated. The future north runway is scheduled to open on November 20, 2008. To avoid pilot confusion, the FAA has mandated a phased re-designation program for runways and taxiways at O’Hare International Airport. By the end of 2011, the Airport will have four parallel east-west runways, two on the north side of the main terminal core area and two on the south.
The Beacons are two internally lit geometric sculptures, one square "Blue Beacon", and one circular "Orange Beacon". Suspended in the exit bays of O'Hare International Airport Terminal 5, they welcome travelers in the Meeter-Greeter area of the arrivals level. Each Beacon identifies and distinguishes one bay from the other with its distinct shape and color.
O'Hare was awarded "Best Airport in North America" in 2007 by Global Traveler Magazine marking the tenth year in a row it has earned the top honor.
Both O'Hare and Midway International airports offer passengers wireless service regardless of their Internet Service Provider. This new high-speed wireless Internet access is available in all public areas at both airports.
O'Hare and Midway now offer "Recharge and Relax" stations which allow passengers a place to recharge dying cell phones, PDA's and laptops. These stations are designed like a lunch counter complete with five bar stools. Each stool ha a duplex AC outlet to recharge two electronic devices simultaneously. Midway Airport
Midway Airport
In 2007, Midway International Airport had over 10 million international flights.
Located just 10 miles from downtown Chicago, Midway Airport's convenient location and low-cost airfares have made it one of the fastest growing airports in North America. Ten airlines including Southwest, American and Delta Airlines serve Midway with both domestic and international flights.
The $793 million terminal redevelopment project was completed in 2004. As part of the program, a new airport terminal building has opened, featuring passenger conveniences including expanded ticket counters and baggage claim areas, a state-of-the-art baggage system, and roadfront access. A new Federal Inspection Services facility and international service is also available.
In addition, 43 new airlines gates and 23,000 square feet of concessions and retail outlets are availble just inside the airport's new security checkpoint. Several of the Chicago-style restaurants and shops include: McDonald's, Miller's Pub, Taylor Street Pub, Southside Pizzeria, Super Dawg, Oak Street Beach and Let Them Eat Cake.
As part of the terminal development program, Cicero Avenue was relocated to improve traffic congestion surrounding the airport. Other previous milestones in the redevelopment program include the completion of: a parking garage that offers 3,000 parking spaces, an enclosed pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue connecting the parking garage and the concourses, and split-level arrival/departure roadways at the terminal to improve traffic circulation.