Metropolis of Chicago :: O’Hare Set For Busiest Fourth Of July Journey Interval On Document

CHICAGO — The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is making ready to welcome almost 1.95 million passengers at O’Hare and Midway worldwide airports from Wednesday, July 1, via Monday, July 6, as vacationers take to the skies for the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.

The vacation interval is anticipated to be the busiest Fourth of July journey interval in O’Hare International Airport’s historical past, reinforcing Chicago’s place as one of many world’s main aviation hubs. Combined passenger site visitors at Chicago’s airports is projected to extend 7% in contrast with the identical vacation interval in 2025.

“As our nation celebrates its 250th birthday, Chicago is proud to welcome millions of travelers to a city that has helped shape America’s history, culture and future,” mentioned Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This record-breaking holiday travel period reflects the strength of our airports and the enduring appeal of Chicago. Whether visitors are joining us to celebrate or connecting to destinations around the world, we are ready to welcome them with the energy, hospitality and spirit that make Chicago the greatest city in the world.”

O’Hare is projected to serve greater than 1.62 million passengers throughout the six-day vacation interval, an 8.1% enhance over the Fourth of July journey interval in 2025. Last 12 months’s vacation site visitors contributed to July 2025 changing into the busiest month in O’Hare’s historical past, whereas this 12 months’s projected complete would mark the airport’s busiest Independence Day journey interval on file.

Midway is anticipated to welcome greater than 325,000 passengers, a rise of 1.5% in contrast with final 12 months. Together, O’Hare and Midway are projected to serve almost 1.95 million passengers — roughly 7% greater than throughout the 2025 Independence Day journey interval.

“Chicago’s airports always step up during the summer for the many travelers coming through O’Hare and Midway,” mentioned CDA Commissioner Michael McMurray. “This summer will be no different, and we look forward to making the traveling experience a memorable one for passengers arriving to Chicago for this historic Independence Day weekend.”

O’Hare’s busiest day of the vacation journey interval is anticipated to be Sunday, July 5, when greater than 300,000 passengers are projected to cross via the airport — making it one of many busiest days in O’Hare’s historical past. Midway’s peak journey day is anticipated to be Monday, July 6, with almost 60,000 passengers. Passenger volumes at each airports are forecast to be lowest on Independence Day itself, with roughly 229,000 passengers at O’Hare and 38,000 at Midway.

Visitors and residents who might be going via Chicago’s airports are reminded of the next:

Arrive Early

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) advise that vacationers could expertise longer-than-usual wait instances at safety checkpoints given elevated passenger projections. Real-time updates for O’Hare TSA checkpoints can be found at FlyChicago.com.

At O’Hare, CLEAR Lanes and enrollment choices can be found in Terminal 5 for PreCheck-eligible vacationers and customary safety. CLEAR Lanes are additionally obtainable at O’Hare Terminals 1 and a couple of, in addition to at Midway on the Mezzanine Level.

To expedite the screening course of, vacationers ought to test TSA tips to make sure there aren’t any prohibited items of their carry-on or checked baggage, and that every one meals are packed in accordance with the TSA’s rules regarding liquids.

In assist of this busy 4th of July and summer time journey season, the TSA has mounted the PackSafe for Passengers marketing campaign to assist talk the risks of flying with hazardous supplies or harmful items. The marketing campaign’s posters and messaging will be helpful to passengers as they make their method via the check-in areas, terminals and different high-traffic areas of Chicago’s airports. The Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees the TSA, has extra details about PackSafe for Passengers on its web site at faa.gov.

New Service at O’Hare, Midway

June was a busy month for brand new service at Chicago’s airports, and extra will observe later within the 12 months.

Egyptian flag provider EgyptAir started working between O’Hare and Cairo International Airport on June 21. The route runs 3 times weekly on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, departing from O’Hare at 10:30 a.m. and arriving from Cairo at 5:15 a.m. The addition of EgyptAir to Chicago was preceded by the launch June 1 of every day service by Air Canada from O’Hare to Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport, adopted by the launch June 2 of every day service by Volaris Airlines between Midway and San Luis Potosi, Mexico.   

Philippine Airlines, the flag provider of the Philippines, will start working at O’Hare Nov. 9 with a route between Chicago and Manila. Service will run 3 times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with departures from O’Hare within the night and arrivals from Manila within the afternoon.

O’Hare is the world’s busiest airport, registering greater than 860,000 mixed takeoffs and landings in 2025, in keeping with knowledge compiled by Airports Council International World.

A New Parking Option at O’Hare

Travelers flying via O’Hare Terminal 5 — on worldwide carriers in addition to home airways, together with Delta and Southwest — have a brand new choice for parking reservations prematurely. The Terminal 5 Parking Garage (Lot D) presents advance reserving for vacationers parking on the facility. Learn extra at FlyChicago.com. 

Traveling Safely with Families

The Family Lounge in O’Hare’s Terminal 2 is a chosen play space for toddlers and younger kids, and is provided with gadget charging retailers for adults and stroller parking for these touring with infants. There are greater than a dozen Mother’s Room and Lactation Pod areas at O’Hare for nursing mother and father to care for his or her younger kids, privately and safely — an entire listing is offered at FlyChicago.com.

At Midway, there’s each a Kids Play Area and a Lactation Pod close to Gate A5 in Concourse A. Additionally, there’s a Mother’s Room in Concourse C, positioned subsequent to the Yoga Room.

Live Entertainment 

During the Independence Day weekend, O’Hare and Midway will host reside leisure by musicians and different performers. The leisure lineup contains the next:

O’Hare

• July 1– Uncle Sam costume character, Various terminals, 9 a.m. to midday
• July 1– Bear Williams (Old Town School of Folk Music), Terminal 1 bridge, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Midway    

• July 1– Abraham Lincoln costume character, Various areas, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• July 2– Uncle Sam costume character, Various areas, 9 a.m. to midday

New Flag Displays at O’Hare

Both airports are fitted out with patriotic décor for the vacation weekend,

At O’Hare’s Hall of Flags in Terminal 3 is at the moment adorned with American flags and decor commemorating the 4th of July vacation and the nation’s 250th anniversary.

At Midway, crimson, white and blue bunting is hung across the terminal and throughout the bridge on Cicero Avenue, in addition to a USA show close to the out of doors flag memorial for America250.

Accessibility Resources

The CDA has sensory maps, educational movies and different accessibility sources at each airports which can be designed to make journey much less overwhelming and extra empowering for neurodivergent passengers and others with sensory sensitivities.

The sensory maps spotlight high- and low-sensory areas all through the terminals, serving to vacationers plan their routes to accommodate their very own wants and luxury. The educational movies display what to anticipate at completely different levels of the arrival and departure course of at Chicago’s airports.

Other airport sources embrace sensory baggage with fidgets, headphones and visible aids. Additionally, the CDA’s social media channels characteristic step-by-step guides with visuals to arrange vacationers for the airport expertise. These sources are complimented by the CDA’s partnership with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard program to help vacationers with disabilities comparable to autism, post-traumatic stress dysfunction and listening to loss.

Go to the next for extra info on accessibility sources at Chicago’s airports:

Preventing Traffic Congestion

Cell Phone Lots are free at each airports. Avoid circling the terminals and as a substitute use the designated ready areas till arriving passengers are prepared for pickup. The O’Hare Cell Phone Lot is at 560 N. Bessie Coleman Drive, and the lot for Midway is at West 61st Street and South Cicero Avenue.

Kiss n’ Fly drop-offs permit for faster curbside entry. At Midway, drop-off is at West 59th Street and South Kilpatrick Avenue, a brief stroll from the terminals. O’Hare passengers will be dropped on the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) at 10255 W. Zemke Blvd., and board the Airport Transit System (ATS) for a fast journey to all terminals.  

Public transit can also be a hassle-free different:

• The CTA Blue Line presents 24/7 service to O’Hare, whereas the CTA Orange Line companies Midway beginning at 3:30 a.m. on weekdays, 4 a.m. on Saturdays, and 4:30 a.m. on Sundays and holidays. (Orange Line service on all days ends at 1:05 a.m.) Both the Blue and Orange Lines provide frequent and quick service, avoiding curbside crowds and decreasing congestion within the course of. Go to the FlyChicago pages for O’Hare and Midway for extra info.
• Metra’s North Central Service presents weekday service between Union Station in downtown Chicago and the O’Hare Transfer station adjoining to the MMF, with entry to the ATS.
• Pace’s Pulse Dempster Line presents direct service to O’Hare from Evanston, Skokie, Niles, Park Ridge and different suburbs.

Checking Updates on Parking Before You Leave

Economy Lots typically attain capability throughout vacation journey durations, and reserving a reserved parking part forward of time is advisable. To test the standing of present parking availability (of floor tons and garages) earlier than driving towards O’Hare and Midway, go to the next:

Enhanced Passenger Processing

Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) is a biometric screening course of at choose airports for U.S. residents getting back from worldwide locations. EPP is run by CBP at O’Hare, which makes use of the CBP’s Traveler Verification Service to determine vacationers, verify citizenship and display screen for any enforcement issues.

By utilizing a touchless technique of biometrics, a traveler’s arrival is routinely confirmed with out officer interplay. More details about EPP will be discovered at: cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/enhanced-passenger-processing-epp.

Real ID

All vacationers 18 and older who’re flying domestically are required by the TSA to have a Real ID, which is a part of a driver’s license or state-issued identification. A Real ID is denoted by a gold star positioned on the higher right-hand nook of a license or state identification.

Passengers with no Real ID might want to use the TSA’s ConfirmID program and pay a $45 payment previous to arriving on the airport. To be taught extra, go to: tsa.gov/ tsaconfirm-id.

To find out about making use of for a Real ID in Illinois, go to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office’s web site: realid.ilsos.gov.

O’Hare Rideshares, Taxis and Limousines

Pickups at O’Hare for rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are centrally positioned exterior within the upper-level departures part of Terminal 2 (between doorways 2A and 2F) and Terminal 3 (between doorways 3G and 3K). Passengers arriving at Terminals 1 or 5 should switch to Terminals 2 or 3 aboard the ATS for rideshare pickups. Terminal wayfinding signage will direct passengers to designated pick-up areas, and ride-share apps will direct customers to their closest pick-up zone.

All rideshare suppliers can drop off passengers in any respect terminals, which supply Black automobile pickups — together with Black automobiles supplied via the Uber and Lyft apps. Loading zones for these rideshares will be discovered on the following areas:

• Zone A (Black) – Outside, north of vestibule 2A
• Zone B (Blue) – Outside vestibule 2A
• Zone C (Orange) – Outside vestibule 2B
• Zone D (Green) – Outside vestibule 2E

Taxis to Chicago and the suburbs can be found exterior the bags declare areas on the Lower Level curb entrance at every terminal. All vacationers are suggested to make use of the designated taxi stands to make sure they’ve a licensed driver. Travelers are additionally suggested to not settle for rides from drivers exterior the cab stand or on the departure degree of the terminal roadways. Additionally, limousines can be found for metropolis and suburban locations. Contact your organization of selection close to the journey boards to make reservations.

For extra details about rideshares, taxis and limousines, go to FlyChicago.com.

General Information

Travelers certain for Chicago’s airports can take advantage of knowledgeable choices about learn how to entry any of the previously-mentioned airport companies by visiting FlyChicago.com. The web site accommodates real-time details about flights, parking updates, taxicab wait instances, obtainable concession companies and different particular alerts for the touring public. The “My Flight” search web page reveals particular flight updates, facilities close to the flight gate, in addition to different journey sources.

Note that entry to airport terminals at O’Hare and Midway is restricted always to ticketed passengers, these helping passengers, badged workers and others with official airport enterprise.