O’Hare International Airport

What O’Hare International Airport does

O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD) is a major international airport located 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, Illinois, operated by the City of Chicago Department of Aviation. It is the 6th busiest airport globally, handling 84.8 million passengers in 2025, and functions as a primary hub for American Airlines and United Airlines while operating as a focus city for Polar Air Cargo and an operating base for Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. Over 50 carriers serve the airport, connecting Chicago with hundreds of destinations across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

The airport's infrastructure comprises 4 passenger terminals (Terminal 1 with 55 gates across Concourses B and C, Terminal 2 with Concourses E and F, Terminal 3 with Concourses G, H, K, and L, and the international Terminal 5), 8 runways supporting up to 2,700 daily flight operations, and a 2.5-mile automated people mover system (Airport Transit System) operating 24 hours and connecting all terminals, parking lots, the consolidated rental car facility, and adjacent train stations. Ground transportation integration includes direct 24/7 CTA Blue Line rail access to downtown Chicago, Metra commuter rail (North Central Service), PACE suburban bus routes 250 and 330, metered taxi service, ride-share zones, and a Multi-Modal Facility housing major car rental brands. On-site amenities include the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport hotel connected via underground walkway to Terminal 2 and multiple airline lounges (United Clubs, Polaris, Admirals Clubs, Flagship, Delta Sky Club, British Airways Terraces, Swissport).

Revenue is generated through three principal streams: aviation operations (landing fees, gate rentals, and terminal charges from airlines); concessions and retail (food and beverage, retail stores, duty-free shops); and parking operations across the Main Garage, Terminal 5 Lot, and Economy Lots F, G, and H. The O'Hare Modernization Plan, launched in 2005, is a multi-billion-dollar capital program that includes runway reconfiguration, the planned O'Hare Global Terminal to replace Terminal 2, Concourse D construction, and additional runway improvements intended to handle projected passenger growth through the 2030s. A third-party informational platform (airport-ohare.com) operated by Plan Your Trips, S.L. provides flight status, terminal guides, and transportation information but is not an official City of Chicago channel.

Name

O’Hare International Airport

Legal name

Plan Your Trips, S.L.

Website

https://airport-ohare.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is the 6th busiest global airport, serving 84.8 million passengers in 2025, operated by the City of Chicago as a hub for American and United Airlines with 4 terminals, 8 runways, and direct CTA Blue Line rail access to downtown Chicago.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Operations and Aviation Infrastructure

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Airport Ground Transport Terminals (Rail/Bus/Coach) (THAIALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dispatch, Control Centers & Operations Management (OCC) (THAIANAD), Flight Operations Control & Dispatch (OCC/IOCC) (THABAIAA)

Keywords

• Airport operations
• Aviation infrastructure
• Passenger terminal services
• Ground transportation hub
• Air travel connectivity

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Aviation Operations: Landing fees, gate rentals, and terminal charges paid by airlines operating at the airport. ORD serves as a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, with 2700 daily operations across 8 runways.
2. Concessions and Retail: Revenue from food and beverage outlets, retail stores, duty-free shops, and service concessions throughout all four terminals.
3. Parking Operations: Hourly, daily, economy, valet, and long-term parking services at Main Garage, Terminal 5 Lot, and Economy Lots F, G, and H.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

O'Hare International Airport (ORD) operates as a major international aviation hub providing airfield infrastructure (8 runways, up to 2,700 daily operations), four passenger terminals, and integrated ground transportation services including the automated ATS people mover, CTA Blue Line rail, parking facilities, and consolidated car rental center. The airport serves 84.8 million passengers annually and functions as a primary hub for American Airlines and United Airlines, offering 24/7 operations connecting Chicago with hundreds of domestic and international destinations.

Product overview

O'Hare International Airport operates as a major international hub serving 84.8 million passengers annually (2025), functioning as a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines with infrastructure comprising four passenger terminals, eight runways supporting 2,700 daily operations. The digital information platform provides comprehensive traveler services including real-time flight tracking, terminal navigation guides, ground transportation options (train, bus, taxi, rideshare, car rental), airport lounges directory, passenger services (Wi-Fi, medical, family amenities), parking reservations, and practical travel guidance. The product portfolio centers on passenger-facing informational services rather than a unified software platform, with offerings categorized into flight information, transportation services, terminal services, and passenger amenities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Parking Services On-airport parking including Main Garage (~$43/day), Economy Lots F/G/H (~$15-22/day), Terminal 5 Lot (~$77/day), and Valet Parking, serving travelers across all terminals.
• Airport Transit System (ATS) Free automated people mover system operating 24 hours daily, connecting all four terminals, remote parking lots, rental car center, and train stations via a 2.5-mile route completing trips in approximately 9 minutes.
• CTA Blue Line Rail Service Access Direct 24-hour train connection between O'Hare Airport and downtown Chicago via CTA Blue Line, with stops at Jefferson Park, Logan Square, Clark/Lake, UIC-Halsted, Cicero, and Forest Park, fares from $5.00.
• Car Rental Center Consolidated rental car facility (Multi-Modal Facility) at 10255 W. Zemke Blvd housing major rental companies including Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, National, Dollar, Thrifty, Sixt, ACE, Fox, Payless, Routes, and EZ, connected to terminals via free ATS shuttle.
• Taxi and Rideshare Service Licensed taxi service at all terminals with metered fares (~$30-40 to downtown) and a $1 airport fee, plus designated Uber and Lyft pickup zones, operating 24/7 with wheelchair-accessible options.
• Flight Status Tracking Real-time flight status monitoring for arrivals and departures at ORD, providing gate information, delays, and on-time performance data sourced from third-party aviation data providers.
• Airport Concessions and Retail Food and beverage outlets, retail stores, duty-free shops, and service concessions across all four terminals, generating revenue through concessionaire fees and commissions.
• Aviation Operations and Gate Services Landing fees, gate rentals, and terminal charges paid by airlines operating at the airport, serving over 50 carriers including hub carriers American Airlines and United Airlines across 8 runways with 2,700 daily operations.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Airlines operates its primary hub at O'Hare with major operations in Terminal 3. The airline conducts extensive domestic and international flight operations from the airport.
• United AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Airlines operates its hub at O'Hare with main operations in Terminal 1, including Star Alliance flights and international departures. The airline offers the most destinations from ORD.
• Polar Air CargominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolar Air Cargo operates as a focus city carrier at O'Hare for cargo operations.
• Frontier AirlinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrontier Airlines maintains an operating base at O'Hare Airport.
• Spirit AirlinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpirit Airlines operates as a base carrier at O'Hare Airport.
• Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCTA operates the Blue Line rail service providing 24/7 direct connection between O'Hare and downtown Chicago. Essential public transit infrastructure linking airport to city center.
• MetraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetra's North Central Service line connects downtown Chicago Union Station to O'Hare Transfer Station, serving suburban commuters.
• PACE BusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPACE operates Routes 250 and 330 connecting O'Hare to surrounding suburbs, Des Plaines, and Evanston areas.
• Hilton Chicago O'Hare AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site hotel connected to Terminal 2 via underground walkway, offering direct CTA Blue Line access, showers, fitness center, restaurants, and bar. Located centrally between Terminals 1, 2, and 3.
• Car Rental Companies (Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, etc.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAll major rental car brands (Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, National, Dollar, Thrifty, Sixt, Fox, ACE, Payless, Routes, EZ, Exotic Car Collection) located at Multi-Modal Facility, accessible via ATS.
• Private Transfer ProvidersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party transfer companies offering door-to-door private transportation to Chicago destinations with professional drivers and flight monitoring.
• Delta Sky ClubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDelta Air Lines lounge in Terminal 5 (Mall area, Gates M11-M14) offering wine bar, showers, family room, snacks, and Wi-Fi.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• Denver International Airport: Major US hub and United Airlines' largest hub, directly parallel to O'Hare's United relationship. Operates similarly large runway infrastructure with substantial passenger throughput and modern terminal facilities.
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: The world's busiest airport and Delta Air Lines' primary hub. Most directly comparable to O'Hare in scale, hub-driven traffic model, multi-modal ground transport, and revenue mix spanning aviation fees, concessions, and parking.
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: Major US hub and American Airlines' primary hub, comparable to O'Hare's relationship with American. Operates five terminals with similar hub-and-spoke connectivity and diversified aviation/concession/parking revenue.
• Chicago Midway International Airport: Operated by the same City of Chicago Department of Aviation, Midway directly competes with O'Hare within the Chicago metro for point-to-point domestic traffic, particularly through low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers.

Emerging players

• Singapore Changi Airport: Widely regarded as the gold standard for airport service quality with comparable scale and international traffic mix. Functions as an aspirational benchmark for premium passenger experience and concession design rather than a direct US competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Heathrow Airport: One of the world's busiest international airports and a benchmark for full-service airport operations. Comparable to O'Hare in hub-driven international traffic model and premium concession revenue dynamics.
• John F. Kennedy International Airport: Major US international gateway serving New York with comparable international traffic mix, multiple hub-carrier relationships, and similar terminal/concession revenue model.
• Los Angeles International Airport: Major US international gateway and one of the largest airports by passenger volume, with multiple terminals, extensive international carrier presence, and similar multi-modal ground transport options.
• San Francisco International Airport: Major US international gateway with strong domestic and international traffic, multiple hub carrier relationships, and integrated multi-modal ground transport including BART rail connection comparable to O'Hare's CTA Blue Line.

Regional players

• Toronto Pearson International Airport: Canada's largest and busiest airport serving as a North American hub. Comparable in scale and hub connectivity to O'Hare while operating from a non-US base and serving overlapping cross-border traffic flows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/o%E2%80%99hare-international-airport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about O’Hare International Airport