City Of Chicago Unveils First Video Animation Of The New Concourse D At O'Hare International Airport

Fresh look at the transformative $1.3 billion gateway under construction at O'Hare highlights design, flexibility, and progress on the ORDNext program.

CHICAGO - Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City of Chicago offered the public a fresh look inside The New Concourse D at O'Hare International Airport, as Commissioner Michael McMurray unveiled a two-minute video animation during remarks at the City Club of Chicago.

DOWNLOAD THE ANIMATION: bit.ly/4c8mkDc

"O'Hare has long been one of Chicago's great economic engines, and The New Concourse D represents the next great transformation for our city," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "This new gateway will strengthen global connections, create thousands of jobs, and showcase Chicago's architectural excellence to travelers from around the world."

The animation provides a vivid preview of the transformative new gateway now rising just south of Concourse C. The New Concourse D is a central component of ORDNext, the bold next chapter in reimagining O'Hare's core terminals to better connect travelers, accommodate future growth, and elevate the passenger experience.

Designed by the Chicago-based firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, in collaboration with Ross Barney Architects, Juan Gabrel Moreno Architects, and Arup, The New Concourse D will introduce 19 new flexible gates built to serve today's modern aircraft. Each position will be capable of accommodating either two narrow-body aircraft or one wide-body aircraft, boosting overall capacity while maximizing gate utilization.

"Concourse D introduces a new experience rooted in the city's architectural legacy…a multi-level space will provide zones for resting, dining, shopping, and play, with skylights for an open, naturally lit environment. And at the south end of the concourse, the space opens up to lounge seating and landscaping that frame expansive views of the airfield," Commissioner Michael McMurray of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) said at the City Club of Chicago today. "We're proud to bring this new, welcoming gateway to the people of Chicago."

"We're excited to share a glimpse of the key moments of the passenger experience in The New Concourse D," said SOM Design Partner Scott Duncan. "The design focuses on warm natural materials and sunny, open areas to enjoy while boarding a flight or arriving home to Chicago."

The $1.3 billion Concourse D project broke ground in 2025 and represents a major milestone in ORDNext, which is anchored by The New Concourse D, The New Concourse E, and the O'Hare Global Terminal, all connected by an underground tunnel system. The broader ORDNext program will deliver 14 percent more gate capacity, greater flexibility for hub carriers, and more lounges and amenities, all while improving operational efficiency.

Construction crews at the Concourse D site are working daily, driving caissons, hoisting cranes, and installing structural steel, all while the CDA continues to operate the busiest airfield in the United States. The New Concourse D remains scheduled for completion in late 2028.

CONSTRUCTION B-ROLL AVAILABLE: https://youtu.be/BntfrSO7R6c

"We are accomplishing ORDNext the Chicago way, with innovation and efficiency as the guiderails for all we do," Commissioner McMurray said. "We've had a strong start, and CDA remains firmly focused on delivering this program on time and on budget. We're grateful to our airline partners, particularly our hub carriers, United Airlines and American Airlines, for their continued support of the Chicago market and their investment in bringing this vision to life."