Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
History, Facts and Overview
(Chicago, Illinois - IL, USA)
Established in the early forties, O'Hare Airport began its life as an important regional manufacturing site for the Douglas Aircraft Company. In 1945, the airfield became known as the Orchard Field Airport (hence the code 'ORD'), only to be renamed again in 1949 after the famous US naval aviator Commander Edward Henry 'Butch' O'Hare.
During the start of the fifties, size constraints of Chicago's busy Midway International Airport were soon becoming apparent and development of O'Hare commenced. Chicago O'Hare Airport was soon destined to become the city's premier airport and commercial flights began in 1955, followed by a large international passenger building in 1958. However, following major expansions in 1962, much of the traffic moved from Midway to O'Hare, when it served around ten million passengers and immediately became the busiest airport on the planet.
Home to around 15 airline lounges, Chicago O'Hare Airport has much to offer passengers in the way of facilities. These include full financial services provided by the Seaway National Bank, a US Post Office, various art exhibitions and even relaxing back massages at the Back Rub Hub. For business and fitness facilities, including a swimming pool, the onsite Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel is the place to head and is sited next to the three main terminals. Laptop Lane workstations are also available and provide Internet access for computers that use T1 lines.
Duty-free shops and other retail outlets are always popular with passengers. Favorites include AltiTunes, Chicago News, Duty Free Americas, Hudson Book Corner, Mont Blanc Gift Shop and the Field Museum Store. Those with time for a snack at O'Hare Airport will find more than 60 eateries on offer, generally situated next to the security checkpoints. The Chicago Bar & Grill, Connie's Pizza, Fox Sports Sky Box, Great American Bagel, Healthy Choice, Juiceworks, Pizzeria Uno and Skyline Bar are all firm favorites with travelers.
