Visitors to Chicago have two airports to select from: O’Hare International Airport (ORD), a sprawling advanced in Chicago’s northwest nook, or Midway International Airport (MDW), which presents extra handy entry to town however with fewer flights.
Different airways typically give attention to completely different airports; for instance, Southwest Airlines flyers have one of the best choice out of Midway, whereas these flying American Airlines, United Airlines or internationally will seemingly find yourself at O’Hare. But the 2 are roughly 30 miles aside — so it is essential to plan strategically to your wants.
This information examines the professionals and cons of every airport.
Distance to downtown and transportation choices
CAROLINE TANNER/THE POINTS GUY
Chicago stretches north, south, and west, roughly partitioned into thirds by branches of the Chicago River. O’Hare is within the far northwest of town, whereas Midway sits deep within the Southwest Side.
The Loop is Chicago’s central downtown enterprise district. Using the Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park, often known as “the Bean,” as our reference level, we measured the gap from every airport. The Bean is 2 blocks south of the river and inside strolling distance of Navy Pier, Museum Campus and the Magnificent Mile buying district.
Here’s how the 2 airports stack up:
Getting downtownO’Hare International Airport (ORD)Midway Airport (MDW)Distance (by automotive)18 miles12.5 milesTime (by automotive)40-60 minutes30-40 minutesEstimated Uber value$45$30Public transitCTA Blue LineCTA Orange Line
Since O’Hare has a number of terminals, it’d take 5 to 10 minutes to get out and in of the airport space. Regardless of timing, you are prone to encounter rush hour site visitors en path to O’Hare all through most mornings and evenings. Therefore, I’d plan for 45 minutes to an hour to get downtown from O’Hare. Cabs cost a flat charge to go downtown — round $40 — whereas ride-hailing companies can value wherever between $35 and $60.
The least expensive possibility is taking the Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line rail, accessible from Terminals 1, 2 or 3 or by way of a free airport shuttle from Terminal 5. Travel time is about 50 minutes to an hour, relying on the time of day. However, you probably have loads of checked baggage, a cab could also be advisable, because the trains do not need baggage racks and a few of the stations are solely accessible by way of stairs.
Midway, then again, is roughly half-hour from The Loop and customarily much less susceptible to site visitors delays than O’Hare — however I’d nonetheless anticipate to come across some site visitors. This is very true should you’re touring on a Sunday when the Chicago Bears are taking part in at Soldier Field. Interstate 55 runs previous the sector en path to the airport and can get backed up. You also can take the Orange Line to downtown or contemplate an Uber or Lyft for about $30 or a cab for $35 to $40.
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Winner: Regardless of how you intend on touring to town from the airport, Midway comes out forward — much less site visitors, shorter drives, cheaper Ubers and fewer time spent on the practice should you’re headed downtown. Travelers to different Chicago neighborhoods or the suburbs might really feel otherwise, 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.
Airlines and flight choicesCLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
When it involves airways, O’Hare and Midway couldn’t be extra completely different. According to 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 serious hub for 2 completely different airways, United and American. Southwest Airlines began flying out of O’Hare in 2021 as nicely, including to the aggressive combine.
Midway bought 26.6 million seats throughout 166,453 departures in 2024, per Cirium. Southwest stays the dominant service at Midway 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 Lines (642,784 seats and seven,054 departures) and Porter (131,742 seats and 1,689 departures).
Of the practically 94 million seats bought 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.
When it involves worldwide flights, ORD has a number of notable carriers working from the airport to locations all over the world, together with:
AeromexicoAer LingusAir CanadaAir FranceAir IndiaAir New ZealandAlaska AirlinesANAAvianca AirlinesBritish AirwaysCathay PacificEmiratesEtihad AirwaysFinnairITA AirwaysIberiaIcelandairJapan AirlinesJetBlueKLMLOT Polish AirlinesLufthansaQatar AirwaysRoyal Jordanian AirlinesSwissScandinavian AirlinesTAP Air PortugalTurkish Airlines
No matter the place on the earth you are heading, there is a good likelihood you possibly can fly straight from O’Hare.
Midway, then again, is a key a part of Southwest’s community, which operates an awesome majority of the flights out of the airport. Delta Air Lines — which has a comparatively small presence at O’Hare — is one other of the seven airways to function from Midway.
Winner: For AvGeeks and highway warriors, there’s one thing particular about O’Hare. American and United have expansive home route networks and there aren’t many locations you possibly can fly to from Midway that you would be able to’t fly to from O’Hare. Add within the host of worldwide carriers, and O’Hare seemingly wins for a lot of. However, as an area, I a lot favor Midway for the shorter commute. With fewer folks, there appear to be fewer issues, and this creates a neater, extra nice airport expertise total.
Airport facilities and perksNew gates at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
In my opinion, neither airport is a spot I really 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 instances and random delays. Plus, it lacks a lot of the high-end buying you will discover at newer and worldwide airports. Still, there are some nice lounges at O’Hare.
It’s additionally price noting that the airport is at the moment present process a 10-year main modernization undertaking that can add 19 new gates to its current Concourse C. The O’Hare 21 Terminal Area Plan consists of two satellite tv for pc concourses, a brand new O’Hare Global Terminal (changing Terminal 2) and an underground tunnel connecting the brand new amenities. Construction is predicted to be accomplished in 2028.
An apparent win for O’Hare is town being house to the United HQ, which makes the airport the apparent alternative for United flyers. As a end result, you will discover 4 United Clubs and the nation’s first revamped Polaris Lounge. In 2024, I visited all the United Clubs and the high-end Polaris Lounge. The 4 United Clubs are comparatively related, various minimally in measurement, design and newness. The newest membership, which opened in 2023, boasts loads of pure gentle and area for vacationers in Terminal 1.
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Polaris Lounge at ORD. CAROLINE TANNER/THE POINTS GUY
The Polaris Lounge is opulent, with non-public 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 road in Chicago. The Polaris Lounge is throughout from the duty-free retailer, accessible to worldwide prospects touring in United Polaris and premium Star Alliance cabins.
United Club℠ Infinite Card holders ($525 annual payment) obtain limitless complimentary United Club entry for themselves and as much as two friends per go to. Meanwhile, the United℠ Explorer Card consists of two single-use United Club passes yearly. You also can pay for a United Club membership with both money or miles, with costs various by United Premier elite standing stage.
O’Hare additionally has three American Airlines Admirals Clubs and one American Airlines Flagship Lounge, all in Terminal 3.
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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
In our expertise, there may be normally room to take a seat down and seize a chunk to eat. The foods and drinks choice is fundamental, however you will not go hungry with a collection of chilly cuts, soups and different snacks.
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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Those with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see charges and costs) obtain complimentary Admirals Club entry, as do Concierge Key members.
The solely different free technique 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.
Otherwise, AAdvantage members pays for entry in numerous methods, ranging in worth from $550 to $650, relying on their standing stage.
Regardless of the way you acquire entry to the Admirals Club, vacationers should current a same-day American, JetBlue or different Oneworld service boarding move to take action, excluding lifetime Admirals Club 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.
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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
You’ll additionally discover an elevated collection of meals and drinks with buffet-style dishes specified by an enormous unfold.
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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
O’Hare additionally has a Delta Sky Club, certainly one of our favorites within the system. This lounge has greater than 22,000 sq. ft of area, showers, nice views of the airport and Delta jets and two bars. There’s even a Chicago-style sizzling canine vendor.
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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Related: 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.
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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Top-tier Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion members can redeem Choice Benefits for a Delta Sky Club membership, whereas any Delta standing holder pays money or redeem miles for a Delta Sky Club membership.
Some premium bank cards present complimentary lounge entry, and there are additionally a wide range of paid choices to enter a Sky Club, as long as you aren’t flying fundamental financial 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 fundamental financial system or equal associate fares.
As of Feb. 1, 2025, Delta has capped Sky Club visits yearly (Feb. 1 to Jan. 31) to 10 visits for Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum and 15 visits for Delta Reserve Amex and Delta Reserve Business Amex cardholders.
Finally, there is a Swissport Lounge in Terminal 5 accessible by way of the Priority Pass. This lounge is skippable, for my part — we peeked in, and the lounge was fairly sad-looking..
Swissport Lounge at O’Hare. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUYFinally, a lounge at Midway
As of September, Midway has its first lounge after 96 years of existence. The Club MDW is in Concourse B and is open every day from 4 a.m. till 10 p.m. for all vacationers. It’s a part of the Priority Pass community; non-Priority Pass members also can entry the membership for $50 every day.
Inside MDW’s new lounge. CAROLINE TANNER/THE POINTS GUY
The Club MDW is definitely 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.
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Interior of The Club MDW. CAROLINE TANNER/THE POINTS GUY
Winner: Although most of O’Hare’s lounges are off-limits until you are flying in a premium cabin or maintain top-tier elite standing, there are at the very least a range to select from. The addition of Midway’s inaugural lounge might encourage vacationers to get to the airport sooner than they might have beforehand, nonetheless — and I think the Club will work out its preliminary kinks in time.
Bottom lineCAROLINE TANNER/THE POINTS GUY
After practically three years in Chicago, I’ve a love-hate relationship with O’Hare, regardless of my rising allegiance to United. But 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 rising up, I’ve all the time had a smooth spot in my coronary heart for the airline and, thus, Midway.
If you are flying internationally or you’re loyal to United or American, you may be flying out of O’Hare. But if Southwest is an effective possibility for home journey, the often-overlooked Midway is price listening to.
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