- Airport past
- Terminals
- How to get from the airport to the city
- Where to stay at the airport
One of the largest and busiest airports in the world, O'Hare International Air Hub serves the American city of Chicago and the nearby cities of Illinois. It is 27 km away from Chicago. O'Hare Airport is considered the hub of two airlines - United Airlines and American Airlines.
The airport serves more than 3,000 flights daily, which allowed it to set certain records in the past, until Atlanta Airport surpassed O'Hara in the number of annual passengers.
O'Hare Airport can be called one of the four most important air gates of the United States, where mainly foreigners arrive. There are also disadvantages in the work of this air hub. For example, a huge number of flights are canceled here, which does not make it particularly popular with tourists. However, it has been voted the best airport in the northern United States by several travel magazines.
There is another airport in Chicago, which is located ten kilometers from the city center.
Airport past
The history of O'Hare International Airport begins in 1942-1943, when a plant for the production of Douglas C-54 aircraft was built near Chicago. In those days, it was called as the nearest settlement to it - Orchard Place. After the end of World War II, the aircraft company moved its technical base to another location, and the airport was used to serve commercial flights. A large collection of antique aircraft left over from the plant's collapse was donated to the museum.
In 1949, Chicago Airport got its current name. This is how the hero of the Second World War - pilot Edward Henry O'Hara was marked. Interestingly, back in the 30s, the Chicago Midway Airport was built, which by the middle of the last century had already ceased to cope with the ever-increasing flow of passengers, so the O'Hare airfield became the main city airport.
The airport is located outside of Chicago but is operated by the city government. This became possible after a narrow allotment of land connecting the airport and the city's suburbs was included in the Chicago line.
Terminals
The airport consists of four terminals with nine sub-terminals and 191 gates-exits to the aircraft on the airfield. According to the adopted plan for the expansion and modernization of the complex, there will soon be more terminals.
In the meantime, the airport is working:
- Terminal 1, which has Concourses B and C. It was built in 1987. The terminal is focused on serving domestic flights, but some carriers (American, Iberia, Lufthansa and United) fly to other countries from the first and third terminals;
- Terminal 2 with two halls (E and F), built in 1962. In the last century, there was another hall in this terminal, which had to be destroyed in order to free up the site for the construction of the first terminal;
- Terminal 3, serving flights of American Airlines, American Eagle, Oneworld Iberia, Japan Airlines, as well as low-cost carriers;
- Terminal 4, now converted into a bus station;
- terminal 5, accepting international flights, as there are no border and customs checkpoints in other terminals.
How to get from the airport to the city
Car rental services are available in three of the four terminals at O'Hare Airport. Highways Interstate 190 and Interstate 90 lead to Chicago. Those who prefer to travel by public transport will easily reach the city. To do this, choose:
- buses nos. 250 and 330. Their stop is located near hall E, which can be reached from other terminals by ATS trains. Bus 250 runs through Chicago to Evanston, and bus 330 runs to the western suburbs of Chicago;
- suburban buses. The airport bus station is located in a multi-storey underground car park;
- shuttles. These small buses will take you to Chicago and nearby cities. Their stops can be found at each terminal;
- CTA trains, which will take you to Chicago in 45 minutes and just a couple of dollars;
- commuter trains to Lake and Cook areas.
You can also get to the city by taxi. The fare will be about $ 40. Passengers will be at the place in 30-40 minutes after boarding the taxi.
Where to stay at the airport
O'Hare Airport has only one hotel called the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport. It is located in the second terminal. The hotel complex includes several cafes and restaurants. If for some reason the passenger does not want to live at the airport, he can stay at one of the nearest hotels. The Aloft Chicago O'Hare hotel invariably receives good reviews, which can be reached in five minutes by bus or taxi. It offers its guests small but cozy rooms. You can also spend the night before departure or even live a few days waiting for your plane to depart at the DoubleTree Hotel O'Hare-Rosemont, which is located a few kilometers from the airport. All conditions are created here for business people visiting Chicago.
You can walk from the airport to the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton, near which there is a convenient parking lot.
