Hello travelers and welcome — we’re glad you’re here! Chicago is open for business.

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

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the highest priority of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has been the safety and security of passengers and the airport community. In cooperation with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Chicago Department of Public Health, the CDA has taken every necessary precaution to keep O’Hare and Midway clean, safe and open for travel.

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

Face masks are no longer required at O’Hare and Midway international airports. However, current federal guidance recommends all travelers ages 2 and up wear a well-fitting mask or respirator while at indoor transportation facilities, including airports.

Before You Arrive

Check with your airline. It’s important to understand your carrier’s rules for mask usage, review any updates to check-in and boarding procedures, including mobile touchless options, and check available amenities, such as club lounges and in-flight food and beverage service. For information 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 and through. This may include a negative COVID-19 test and/or proof of vaccination.
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, passengers should 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, or check the flight display monitors throughout the terminals.

Arrive at the Airport

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. The latest information on COVID-19 travel requirements to the United States can be found on the State Department’s website.

Airport Safety, Concessions & Amenities

Consider masking up. Current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all travelers wear a well-fitting face mask covering both their nose and mouth while at an indoor transportation facility, including airports and train stations. All travelers at O'Hare and Midway are encouraged to consider following this guidance, and to be respectful of fellow travelers and employees who chose to do so.
Find out which concessions are open. The vast majority of restaurants and retailers at O’Hare and Midway are open again, with some businesses adjusting their hours and menus. Plan ahead by checking hours of operations for O’Hare concessions and Midway concessions.
Utilize hand sanitizer stations. Hundreds of additional hand sanitizing stations were added to the terminals in O’Hare and Midway and will continue to be maintained. Passengers are also encouraged to wash their hands regularly in 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 in the Multi-Modal Facility, 10255 W. Zemke Blvd. Rapid results are available for international passengers who may need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to travel.

Airport Transportation

Plan for passenger pick-ups and drop-offs. Pick-ups and drop-offs are allowed outside all terminals at the 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, the Airport Transit System (ATS) is operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The fully automated system provides service every three minutes between Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5, and the Multi-Modal Facility on Zemke Boulevard.
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.