Chicago’s Airports Expected To Welcome More Than 1.71 Million Travelers For Labor Day Holiday Weekend

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) will mark the Labor Day weekend by welcoming more than 1.71 million travelers to Chicago's airports between Thursday, Sept. 3, and Tuesday, Sept. 8, according to airline projections.

"Chicago has enjoyed a wonderful summer of activities and events happening throughout the city, and we are fortunate for all those who have chosen to spend time here," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "This Labor Day weekend, we again look forward to welcoming all who will be joining us to celebrate the arrival of fall in the greatest city in the world."

More than 1.41 million passengers are expected to make their way through O'Hare during the holiday weekend, up 5.9% from the same travel period in 2025. Sunday, Sept. 6 is projected to be O'Hare's busiest day, with more than 261,000 passengers expected at the airport.

At Midway, nearly 300,000 passengers are expected for the Labor Day season, up 2.3% from last year. Monday, Sept. 7 is projected to be Midway's busiest day, with nearly 58,000 passengers expected to arrive.

"The staff of the CDA, along with our great airline partners at O'Hare and Midway, have had the privilege this summer to serve all whose travel plans took them through Chicago's airports," said CDA Commissioner Mike McMurray. "First-class customer service is a hallmark of our airport operations year-round, and this Labor Day weekend will be no different."

Travelers are reminded of the following:

Arrive Early

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) advise that travelers may experience longer-than-usual wait times at security checkpoints given passenger projections. Real-time updates for O'Hare TSA checkpoints are available at FlyChicago.com.

At O'Hare, CLEAR Lanes and enrollment options are available in Terminal 5 for PreCheck-eligible travelers and standard security. CLEAR Lanes are also available at O'Hare Terminals 1 and 2, as well as at Midway on the Mezzanine Level. Additionally, CLEAR provides airport concierge services, which are available to CLEAR plus members at both airports.

To expedite the screening process, travelers should check TSA guidelines to ensure there are no prohibited items in their carry-on or checked baggage, and that all foods are packed in accordance with the TSA's rules regarding liquids.

Expanded Service at O'Hare, Midway

Summer 2026 has been a busy time for new air service at Chicago's airports.

Egyptian flag carrier EgyptAir began operating between O'Hare and Cairo International Airport June 21. The addition of EgyptAir to Chicago was preceded by the launch June 1 of daily service by Air Canada from O'Hare to Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport, followed by the launch June 2 of daily service by Volaris Airlines between Midway and San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Philippine Airlines, the flag carrier of the Philippines, will begin service at O'Hare Nov. 9 with a route between Chicago and Manila.

O'Hare is the world's busiest airport, registering more than 860,000 combined takeoffs and landings in 2025, according to data compiled by Airports Council International World.

Live Entertainment

During the Labor Day weekend, O'Hare and Midway will host live entertainment by Chicago-based jazz and jazz-inspired artists, which will run simultaneously with the Chicago Jazz Festivaltaking place between Sept. 3 and Sept. 6. The entertainment lineup at the airports include the following:

O'Hare

• Sept. 3: Isabella Isherwood - Terminal 1-Bridge, 9 a.m. to noon
• Sept. 3: Sage 1/A Flor de Piel Jazz Ensemble - Terminal 3-Hall of Flags, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sept. 4: Dakarai Barclay - Terminal 3-Hall of Flags, 9 a.m. to noon
• Sept. 4: Alfonso Ponticelli - Terminal 1-Bridge, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Midway

• Sept. 4: Alejandro Salazar - Battle of Midway exhibit, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Art Comes to the Airports

Chicago's world-famous blues scene and its patriarch are being celebrated with a new exhibit at O'Hare. The CDA will join the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) Sept. 4 to unveil an installation in Terminal 2 (near Security Checkpoint 5) that honors both the Windy City's contribution to the blues and the pioneering singer-songwriter Buddy Guy. Included in the display are concert posters advertising past Chicago blues concerts and images of blues music events in the city throughout the years, as well as memorabilia from the Louisiana-born Guy, such as one of his signature guitars. Arriving in Chicago in the late 1950s, Guy started as a session player for the legendary Chess Records label before becoming one of blues music's most seminal artists, ranked 27th in 2023 by Rolling Stone magazine on its list of the "250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."

In addition to the new blues display, O'Hare welcomed "Flag Feast" in August to Terminal 3, in the main hall of the H and K gates. Originally commissioned for the Taste of Chicago, "Flag Feast" features a series of 36 artist-designed flags that "explore identity, place, culture and celebration through graphic form." More than a dozen artists worked on the installation, which is sponsored by the Design Museum of Chicago.

Also in August, the "Icons of Chicago" exhibit debuted at O'Hare. The instillation features large-scale models on loan from the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) of the Willis Tower and the two "corncob" towers of the Marina City building complex. Located in Terminal 5 near Gate M32, the models - which are on long-term display - are situated on a round red platform that is surrounded by black curved seating, designed as a subtle riff on the CAC's famous "C" logo. The models also mark the CAC's first long-term offsite exhibit.

In July, the CDA joined DCASE and the nonprofit After School Matters to introduce "Chicago Spring Breaks" at Midway. A 32-by-4-mural, "Chicago Spring Breaks" is situated along windows inside of Midway's pedestrian bridge area, between the airport's terminals and the CTA Orange Line Midway Station. Co-created by 19 Chicago high school students and artist James "Casper" Jankowiak, the mural features such motifs as birds in flight, silhouettes of the city's skyline and logos of various local professional sports teams.

New Parking Option at O'Hare

Travelers flying through O'Hare Terminal 5 - on international as well as domestic airlines, including Delta and Southwest - have a new option for scheduling advance parking reservations. The Terminal 5 Parking Garage (Lot D) offers advance booking for travelers parking at the facility. Learn more at FlyChicago.com.

Checking Updates on Parking Before You Leave

Booking a reserved parking section ahead of time is recommended, as economy lots often reach capacity during holiday travel periods. To check the status of current parking availability (of surface lots and garages), go to the FlyChicago pages for O'Hare or Midway.

Preventing Traffic Congestion

Avoid circling the terminals and instead use the designated waiting areas until arriving passengers are ready 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 allow for quicker curbside access. At Midway, drop-off is at West 59th Street and South Kilpatrick Avenue, a short walk from the terminals. O'Hare passengers can be dropped at the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) at 10255 W. Zemke Blvd., and board the Airport Transit System (ATS) for a quick ride to all terminals.

Public transit is also a hassle-free alternative:

• The CTA Blue Line offers 24/7 service to O'Hare, while the CTA Orange Line services Midway starting 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 offer frequent and fast service, avoiding curbside crowds and reducing congestion in the process. Go to the FlyChicago pages for O'Hare or Midway for more information.
• Metra's North Central Service offers weekday service between Union Station in downtown Chicago and the O'Hare Transfer station adjacent to the MMF, with access to the ATS.
• Pace's Pulse Dempster Line offers direct service to O'Hare from Evanston, Skokie, Niles, Park Ridge and other suburbs.

Travel Amenities for Families

The Family Lounge in O'Hare's Terminal 2 is a designated play area for toddlers and young children, and is equipped with device charging outlets for adults and stroller parking. There are also more than a dozen Mother's Room and Lactation Pod locations at O'Hare for nursing parents to care for their young children, privately and safely - a complete list is available at FlyChicago.com.

At Midway, there is a Kids Play Area and a Lactation Pod near Gate A5 in Concourse A. Additionally, there is a Mother's Room in Concourse C, located next to the Yoga Room.

Accessibility at the Airports

The CDA has sensory maps, instructional videos and other accessibility resources at both airports that are designed to make travel less overwhelming for neurodivergent passengers and others with sensory sensitivities.

The sensory maps highlight high- and low-sensory areas throughout the terminals, helping travelers plan their routes to accommodate their own needs and comforts. The instructional videos demonstrate what to expect at different stages of the arrival and departure process at Chicago's airports. Other airport resources include sensory bags with fidgets, headphones and visual aids. Additionally, the CDA's social media channels feature step-by-step guides with visuals to prepare travelers for the airport experience. These resources are supported by the CDA's partnership with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard program to aid travelers with such disabilities as autism, post-traumatic stress disorder and hearing loss.

All restrooms throughout O'Hare and Midway are equipped with wheelchair-accessible facilities. O'Hare also has a Companion Plus Restroom, which provides space for those requiring extra assistance from a caregiver. Located in Terminal 2 across from the Family Lounge, the Companion Plus Restroom includes such features as a powered ceiling lift system, two showers, grab bars, two emergency pull cords (which are connected to the airport's Communication Center), an automated door and bright LED lighting. Reservations to use the restroom can be made at FlyChicago.com.

USO Centers

The Illinois chapter of the United Service Organizations (USO) operates centers at O'Hare and Midway for active military personnel, veterans and families to relax, enjoys snacks and meals, charge phones, and access the internet. Locations and hours of operation for each center are as follows:

• USO O'Hare Terminal 2 Center (pre-security, Mezzanine Level) - Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• USO O'Hare Terminal 3 Center (post-security, Mezzanine Level of Rotunda) - Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• USO Midway Center (post-security, Concourse C) - Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• USO Midway 2 Baggage Claim Center (pre-security, Baggage Claim level, near Carousel 1) - Saturday and Sunday mornings

Go to the FlyChicago.com pages for O'Hare and Midway to learn more about the centers. Additional information can be found on USO Illinois' website at: illinois.uso.org.

Worship Spaces

O'Hare and Midway provide spaces of worship for prayer, meditation, contemplation and liturgies. In the chapels at O'Hare's Terminal 2 and Midway, prayer books, prayer rugs and rosaries are available for worshipers. In the interfaith room at O'Hare's Terminal 5, an open floor space to accommodate prayer is provided, along with a Qibla compass, shoe storage and wooden benches.

Locations of the worship spaces are as follows, with more information found on FlyChicago's pages for O'Hare and Midway:

• O'Hare Terminal 2 - pre-security, above the Alaska Airlines and JetBlue Airlines ticket counters, next door to the USO
• O'Hare Terminal 5 - post-security, Concourse M, near Gate M25
• Midway - post-security, Concourse C, near the Central Market

Enhanced Passenger Processing

Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) is a biometric screening process at select airports for U.S. citizens returning from international destinations. EPP is administered by CBP at O'Hare, which uses the CBP's Traveler Verification Service to identify travelers, confirm citizenship and screen for any enforcement concerns.

By using a touchless process of biometrics, a traveler's arrival is automatically confirmed without officer interaction. More information about EPP can be found at: cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/enhanced-passenger-processing-epp.

Real ID

All travelers 18 and older who are flying domestically are required by the TSA to have a Real ID, which is part of a driver's license or state-issued identification. A Real ID is denoted by a gold star located on the upper right-hand corner of a license or state identification.

Passengers without a Real ID will need to use the TSA's ConfirmID program and pay a $45 fee prior to arriving at the airport. To learn more, visit: tsa.gov/ tsaconfirm-id.

To learn about applying for a Real ID in Illinois, go to the Illinois Secretary of State's Office's website at: realid.ilsos.gov.

Rideshares, Taxis and Limousines

At O'Hare and Midway, all rideshare providers can drop off passengers at all terminals, which offer Black car pickups - including Black cars offered through the Uber and Lyft apps. Pickups at O'Hare for Uber and Lyft are centrally located outside in the upper-level departures section of Terminal 2 (between doors 2A and 2F) and Terminal 3 (between doors 3G and 3K). Passengers arriving at Terminals 1 or 5 must transfer to Terminals 2 or 3 aboard the ATS for rideshare pickups. Terminal wayfinding signage will direct passengers to designated pick-up areas, and rideshare apps will direct users to their closest pick-up zone. Loading zones for these rideshares can be found at the following locations:

• Zones 2A-2G (Orange) - Outside upper level, between vestibules 2A and 2E
• Zones 3G-3K (Green) - Outside upper level, between vestibules 3G and 3K

At Midway, Uber and Lyft are available on the lower-level center lanes outside of the baggage claim area, at the following locations:

• Zones A, B (Blue) - Outside Doors 2 and 3
• Zones C, D (Orange) - Outside Doors 3 and 4
• Zones E, F (Green) - Outside Door 4

Travelers at both airports are advised to use the designated taxi stands to ensure they have a licensed driver. Travelers are also advised not to accept rides from drivers outside the cab stand or on the departure level of the terminal roadways. Additionally, limousines are available for city and suburban destinations. Contact your company of choice near the ride boards to make reservations. Wheelchair-accessible taxi service can be requested by calling 888-WAV-CABS (928-2227).

For more information about rideshares, taxis and limousines, visit the FlyChicago pages for O'Hare and Midway.

General Information

Travelers bound for Chicago's airports can make the most informed decisions about how to access any of the aforementioned airport services by visiting FlyChicago.com. The website contains real-time information about flights, parking updates, taxicab wait times, available concession businesses and other special alerts for the traveling public. The "My Flight" search page shows specific flight updates, amenities near the flight gate, as well as other travel resources.

Note that access to airport terminals at O'Hare and Midway is restricted at all times to ticketed passengers, those assisting passengers, badged employees and others with legitimate airport business.