HOLIDAY MAGIC TAKES FLIGHT

United Fantasy Flight takes kids from O'Hare to North Pole

Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner Jamie Rhee joined representatives from United Airlines, Make-a-Wish Illinois and Cal’s Angels to send off a “Fantasy Flight” event at O’Hare on Dec. 7 for 35 children with critical illnesses and their families.

Mayor Johnson made the boarding announcement for the flight to the North Pole over the gate’s PA system.

The children and their families boarded at Gate B16 in Terminal 1 and departed for a brief flight over Chicago.

They landed again at Gate C18, which was decorated to look like the North Pole, and enjoyed a holiday lunch event with face painting, comfort animals, live reindeer and appearances by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

BRINGING LOCAL BUSINESSES TO O'HARE

Veterans Roasters, Brown Sugar Bakery open in Terminal 3 food court

The CDA and HMSHost held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 2 for two new concessions bringing local flavors and inspirational Chicago stories in O'Hare's Terminal 3 food court.

Veteran Roasters is a local coffee company devoted to hiring unhoused and at-risk veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Founder Mark Doyle was inspired both by his year of service as a civilian in Afghanistan and a desire to support returning service members by turning a cup of coffee into a career for some of Chicago’s most vulnerable residents.

Brown Sugar Bakery is an airport outpost of founder Stephanie Hart’s iconic Greater Grand Crossing establishment that started over 20 years ago as a tribute to cherished family recipes. Hart opened the nation’s first Black woman-owned confection factory last year to produce her Life is Sweet brand of sweets.

SEASON'S GREETINGS AND SAFE TRAVELS!

Chicago's airports welcome 3.66M passengers for year-end holiday travel

The CDA is welcoming approximately 3.66 million passengers to O’Hare and Midway over the holiday travel period from Friday, Dec. 20, and Thursday, Jan. 2, based on estimates from air carriers.

Airlines projected Monday, Dec. 23 as the busiest travel day at O’Hare, with nearly 243,000 passengers. During the 14-day travel period through Thursday, Jan. 2, O’Hare is projected to welcome nearly 3.05 million passengers, a 7.8% increase compared to 2023, representing an additional 220,000 passengers.

At Midway, the busiest travel day was projected to be Sunday, Dec. 29, with more than 51,000 people expected to go through the airport. During the two-week travel period, Midway is on target to welcome nearly 613,000 passengers, which is on par with 2023.

Read more

Global Traveler names O'Hare 'Best Airport in North America' for 21st Year

For the 21st consecutive year, Global Traveler magazine has named O’Hare the Best Airport in North America. The magazine also recognized O’Hare with the Best Airport Dining award for the fifth year in a row. These honors reflect the CDA’s commitment to enhancing the traveler experience, which continues to inspire us to reach new heights.

THANKS A MILLION!

Travelers Aid Chicago helps millionth O'Hare passenger in 2024

Volunteers with Travelers Aid Chicago assisted their millionth passenger at O’Hare on Dec. 19. Travelers Aid staff and volunteers are stationed at seven information desks throughout all O’Hare’s terminals, and walk through the terminals to offer assistance to travelers needing directions, guidance, information or crisis intervention.

ICAO celebrates 80th anniversary of Chicago Convention at Hilton Chicago

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) celebrated its 80th anniversary from Dec. 4-5 at the Hilton Chicago Hotel. The ICAO was created on Dec. 7, 1944, with the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation at the Stevens Hotel, which is now the Hilton. The signing served as the foundation for the development of the global civil aviation system to benefit all nations.

Commissioner Rhee delivered the opening remarks for the celebration Dec. 4 and joined ICAO President Salvatore Sciacchitano and ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar in welcoming U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who delivered the keynote address.

LOT opens first North American Business Lounge at O'Hare

LOT Polish Airlines celebrated the grand opening of its first North American Business Lounge Dec. 19 at O’Hare’s Terminal 5.

Located near Gate M18, the lounge features areas for relaxation, work and dining, which include 165 seats, charging stations and Wi-Fi. The minimalist design incorporates amber accents to evoke Polish traditions, and the dining area serves Polish cuisine along with local specialties.

The lounge is accessible free of charge to LOT Business Class passengers and other Business Class passengers on Star Alliance airlines, while other passengers can enter for a fee.

ORDerUp! Networking Event draws 160 attendees to JW Marriott Chicago

The CDA Concessions Division led an ORDerUp! Networking Event Dec. 11 at the JW Marriott Chicago. The event was a meet-and-greet for prospective vendors looking to open Food & Beverage, Retail, or Service concessions at O'Hare under the ORDerUP! Request for Proposals. ORDerUp! offers more than 100 concession opportunities in Terminals 1 and 3 totaling more than 148,000 square feet of commercial space.

More than 160 people attended the event, where Deputy Mayor Lori Lypson, Chief Procurement Officer Sharla Roberts, Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Deputy Commissioner Max Budovitch, and CDA Chief Commercial Officer Amber Achilles Ritter offered resources and guidelines for doing business at O’Hare.

Congrats to Volaris on 15 years of U.S.-Mexico service!

The CDA congratulates its airline partner Volaris, which on Dec. 10 celebrated 15 years of providing service between Mexico and the United States! From its inaugural route from Toluca, Mexico, to Los Angeles, Volaris’ service has grown to 69 routes connecting Mexico to 23 U.S. cities, including Chicago. Last month, the carrier launched new thrice-weekly service from O’Hare to Monterrey International Airport in Monterrey, Mexico.

United expands domestic destinations in summer schedule

United Airlines this month announced new seasonal summer routes to a variety of domestic destinations. The routes, which start in May 2025, include daily service to Wilmington, North Carolina, and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, as well as twice-daily service to Pellston, Michigan, and Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

CDA staff donates gifts for 'Chicago Gives' campaign

In coordination with the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), the CDA participated in this year’s Chicago Gives program to collect gifts and donations for families in need.

As part of this program, the CDA “adopted” three low-income families and employees donated items based on a wishlist of each family’s needs, in addition to monetary donations and gift cards.

Commissioner Rhee thanks all CDA employees who took the time during this busy time of year and used resources from their own gift-giving budgets to make the holiday season brighter for members of our communities.

• American Airlines: O'Hare (ORD) to Atlanta (ATL) daily service increases to 3x daily on Jan. 1.
• American Airlines: ORD to Jackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC) 4x weekly service increases to 6x daily on Jan. 1.
• United Airlines: ORD to Nassau, Bahamas (NAS) weekly service increased to daily in mid-December and continues daily throughout January.
• United Airlines: ORD to West Palm Beach, Florida 2x daily service increases to 2-3x daily on Jan. 1.
• Southwest Airlines: Midway (MDW) to Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC) daily service increases to 2x daily on Jan. 1.