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History of Midway International Airport
Chicago’s Municipal Airport – The Story of Flight 1927 – 1947
Dedicated in 1927 by Mayor William H. Thompson, just six months after
Charles Lindbergh made his historic transatlantic flight, the airport was
built on land originally owned by the Board of Education.
The first airmail flight arrived from Omaha, Nebraska, in 1927. Captain
Ira O. Biffle, the man who taught Charles Lindbergh how to fly, piloted the
flight.
Municipal Airport took off immediately. In 1928 it boasted 100 planes, an
additional 12 hangers, more runways, taxiways and ramps, and up-to-date
airfield light for evening flights.
In 1928, 41,660 passengers used the airport flying on 14,498 flights.
1929 saw the arrival of an air traffic controller who used a flag at the
end of the runway to give the all clear to pilots when it was safe to
takeoff.
By 1929, Municipal Airport was recognized as the busiest in the world.
In 1931, the first terminal and administration buildings were built.
By 1932, the airport handled 100,847 passengers on 60,947 flights.
1936 saw the first non-stop flight to New York. The flight took four
hours; today it takes about two.
In 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked and Municipal Airport joined the war
effort. The runways saw the arrival of the largest aircraft of the time,
including the B-17 “Flying Fortress.”
In 1945, American Overseas, TWA and Pan American initiated flights to
Europe.
The Cloud Room Restaurant opened in 1946. It offered diners an amazing
view of the entire airfield.
In 1947, Hertz put travelers in the driver’s seat by opening a rental car
office.
Midway Airport’s On-Time Arrival 1949 – 1955
In 1949, the airport was renamed Midway in honor of the hard fought Battle
of Midway in the Pacific during World War II.
By 1950, Midway became home to 15 scheduled airlines.
1952 saw Midway reach the 5 million passenger mark. Today, the airport
serves more than 11 million passengers annually.
In the fall of 1953, Air France introduced its new Parisian service, the
fastest way to get to Paris from the Midwest at the time.
In the spring of 1954, BOAC – now British Airways – began service to
London. The flight took 19½ hours; today it takes about eight.
Midway joined by O’Hare International Airport 1955 – 1970s
In 1955, passenger service began at O’Hare, Chicago’s “other airport.”
By 1961, commercial flights at O’Hare soared past Midway causing it to
relinquish the “World’s Busiest Airport” title.
United Airlines, the first airline to institute service at Midway, was now
the last to move out, with its last flight departing to Toledo, Ohio, in
1962.
United Airlines’ departure didn’t last long. 1964 saw United flying in and
out of Midway once again with flights to and from New York
In 1967, the City spent more than $10 million to redevelop the North
Terminal. Three new concourses were added providing 28 gates, each with its
own departure lounge, and three new ticket counters.
1968 saw the return of American, Delta, Eastern, Northwest, Ozark and TWA
to Midway Airport.
By the end of 1968, 1,663,074 passengers passed through Midway on over
275,062 flights. That was quite a leap from 1962 when 659,649 passengers on
107,788 flights used Midway.
September 1971 was declared Midway Month by Mayor Richard J. Daley, a
staunch supporter of the airport. On September 4th, over 50,000 people
attended the festivities.
1973 saw an enormous decrease in flights at Midway, partially due to oil
and fuel shortages. All major carriers ceased operation at Midway and
returned to O’Hare. Midway, once the world’s busiest, was for all intents
and purposes “grounded.”
Deregulation Arrives and Midway Soars Again 1978 – 1990s
Deregulation made the biggest contribution to the aviation industry since
the Wright Brothers, by opening the market to smaller airlines and discount
fares.
1979 brought the arrival of the first airline created following
deregulation – Midway Airlines. Using Chicago as its hub, Midway Airlines
began service to Kansas City, Detroit and Cleveland.
In 1980, Northwest Airlines returned to Midway with flights to
Minneapolis.
Mayor Jane Byrne announced a $200 million development plan for Midway
Airport in 1981.
In 1982, the city purchased Midway Airport from the Board of Education for
$16 million.
Southwest Airlines begin service from Midway to St. Louis with seven
flights a day in 1985.
In 1987, Midway celebrated its 60th anniversary.
In 1991, Midway Airlines declared bankruptcy and later in the year the
airport ceased operations. At the time, Midway Airlines represented 72
percent of traffic coming through the airport.
Many said the bankruptcy would mark Midway Airport’s demise. But the City
of Chicago knew better. Thanks to increased service by Southwest Airlines,
Midway Airport was quickly on the road to recovery. Its easy-to-reach
location and manageable concourses quickly attracted other low-cost
airlines.
United Airlines returned in 1987, and in 1988 U.S. Airways spread its
wings at Midway.
1992 heralded the arrival of America West and Continental.
In 1992, Southwest Airlines signed a significant contract with the City of
Chicago, increasing the use of the southwest side facility. By 1998,
Southwest Airlines operated 102 flights a day. Today, Chicago is home to a
reservation center, pilot and flight crew, and maintenance facility for
Southwest Airlines.
The Chicago Transit Authority began rapid transit Orange Line rail service
to Midway in 1993, making the commute to the airport fast, easy and
inexpensive, and helping reinforce Midway’s presence as Chicago’s close-in
and convenient airport.
The New Midway – Wings of Change 1996 – Present
In 1996, Mayor Daley announced the historic Midway Airport Terminal
Development Program, which was launched the next year. It was the largest
public works project in the state.
The Midway Airport Parking Garage opened in 1999, bringing covered parking
to the airport for the first time. The garage, offering 3,000 hourly and
daily parking spaces, is connected to the Midway Terminal Building for
convenient access to ticket counters and baggage claim areas.
In 2000, a pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue was constructed. The
bridge connects the new terminal to the new concourses.
In 2001, the Midway Airport Terminal Building opened, offering expanded
ticket counters, spacious baggage claim areas, traveler information and a
short walking distance to airline gates. A 50,000 square-foot food court
opened with Chicago-style food and retail options.
In 2002, Midway welcomed the return of direct international service after
a 40 absence with the opening of the new Federal Inspection Service
facility.
In June 2004, Mayor Richard M. Daley and airline officials celebrated the
completion of the Terminal Development Program.
A new 6,300 space economy parking garage, including a new bridge and
roadway used exclusively for buses shuttling passengers to and from the
terminal opened in December 2005.
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