Hello travelers and welcome back — we’re glad you’re here! Chicago is fully open. On June 11, Chicago safely transitioned into Phase 5 and became the first major city in the country to fully reopen.

O’Hare and Midway International Airports are ready to reconnect the world to Chicago and Chicago to the world!

For the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), the highest priority has been the safety and security of our passengers and airport community. The CDA has taken every precaution to keep O’Hare and Midway clean, safe and open for travel — working closely with federal and local partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Prepare for your journey and know what to expect at O’Hare and Midway the next time you fly.

Masks Are Required at O’Hare & Midway: Face masks are still required on planes and at all U.S. airports. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Order and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Directive require facial coverings regardless of vaccination status.

Before You Arrive

Check with your airline. Understand your carrier’s rules for mask usage, review updates to check-in and boarding procedures including mobile touchless options, and check available amenities such as club lounges and in-flight food/beverage service. For info about specific flights and airline expectations, please contact your carrier directly:

Confirm your destination requirements. Ensure your visa, passport and health documents are prepared for each step of your itinerary. To avoid issues at arrival or departure, check what requirements or certifications apply in each city and country you will travel to. This may include a negative COVID-19 test.
Learn about updates across airline alliances. For passenger information and other protective measures across multiple member carriers, visit their websites directly:

Arrive early and continue to track flight status. With airlines adjusting routes and flight schedules in response to the pandemic, and passenger volumes fluctuating, we advise that passengers allow enough time to be flexible during their journey for unexpected changes, traffic or travel delays. Use the online O’Hare Flight Search or Midway Flight Search feature or check the flight display monitors throughout the terminals.

Arrive at the Airport

Wear a mask. All travelers over age two must wear a face covering at O’Hare and Midway Airports. This applies to passengers, all airport employees and airline staff. Masks are required by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regardless of vaccination status and must be properly worn over the nose and mouth. Airport concessions sell PPE and complimentary mask packs are also available in the terminals and visitor info desks.
Verify security checkpoint hours and check TSA wait times. If departing for a flight, view updated checkpoint hours and operation for O’Hare and Midway online including TSA Pre-Check availability.
Know what you can pack in your carry-on and checked baggage. TSA has guidelines on what to bring and allows one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces per passenger in carry-on bags until further notice. These containers are screened separately, which can add time to the screening process. Other liquids, gels and aerosols brought to a checkpoint are limited to 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters carried in a one quart-size bag.
Review international arrival screening procedures. Please visit the US Department of Homeland Security website for more detailed information on Coronavirus travel restrictions and requirements.

Airport Safety, Concessions & Amenities

Find out which concessions are open. Food, beverages and essentials are available at both airports. The majority of restaurants are open for dining and/or carryout service, with some businesses adjusting their hours and menus. Plan ahead by checking the current list of open restaurants and shops at O’Hare concessions and Midway concessions.
See what airport services are available. Out of added safety precaution, some O’Hare amenities and Midway amenities were impacted by COVID-19. These include:

Yoga Rooms (currently closed at both airports)
Family Lounge (Fly With Butch O’Hare Play Area is currently closed at O’Hare)
View O'Hare airline lounge information by carrier for hours and operation

Utilize hand sanitizer stations. Hundreds of additional hand sanitizing stations were added to the terminals in O’Hare and Midway. We also encourage you to wash your hands regularly in our restroom facilities.
Minimize touch points. Tap to pay or use your mobile wallet for touch-free payment options, available at many airport restaurants and shops. Mobile food ordering and no-contact pickup is available at O’Hare Terminal 5 through ORDer and at Midway through GoEatMDW.com.
Find convenient COVID-19 screening locations onsite. Doctors Test Centers, in connection with Simple Laboratories, offers rapid and PCR testing at O'Hare and testing at Midway.

Airport Transportation

Plan for passenger pick-ups and drop-offs. Pick-ups and drop-offs are allowed outside all terminals — curbside only. Note that access inside terminals is currently restricted to ticketed passengers and airport employees. At O'Hare, also allow for extra travel time due to lower level construction work.
Travel between terminals and parking. At O’Hare, airport shuttle buses are operating continuously between all terminals, parking lots and rental car facilities to ensure prompt and reliable service while the Airport Transit System (ATS) is closed.
Consider public transportation. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) continues to provide essential train and bus service throughout downtown and Chicago neighborhoods. CTA Blue Line provides a direct connection to O’Hare and CTA Orange Line directly serves Midway.
Find your taxi and rideshare. Taxi stands remain open at both airports and rideshare companies (i.e. Uber, Lyft) are also available at O'Hare and Midway. Visit the website for construction alerts that may impact traffic.
Know where to park. Short- and long-term parking options are available at O'Hare and Midway. Real-time parking status is also on these pages and reflect temporary closures and updates when lots are full. Visit the website for construction alerts that may impact traffic.
Choose a rental car. Rental cars at O’Hare can be reserved at the Multi-Modal Facility and the Midway rental car facility is also open for your rental car needs. Check individual companies for hours and rental availability.
Research regional bus options. Service throughout the Midwest and Chicagoland may have been impacted by COVID-19. Please visit the specific transportation company website for updated regional operators at O’Hare and Midway.