The video above is a previous story from June 24, 2025, on TSA reporting the record for most people screened on a single day at O’Hare was broken.
CHICAGO (WGN) — Chicago lost its status as the home of the world’s busiest airport some time ago, and it was also overtaken as ‘America’s busiest’ in 2005, but there are indications that it’s gaining ground against its domestic competitor.
O’Hare recorded more arrivals and departures than Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport during the first five months of this year, according to initial FAA data examined by WGN Investigates.
O’Hare had 1,479 more take-offs and landings than Atlanta. But to put that in perspective, O’Hare can see 2,400 flights in a single day.
“While it’s still early in the year, if the trend continues, O’Hare could potentially reclaim the No. 1 position globally for aircraft operations — something that hasn’t happened since 2019,” said Karen Pride, a spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Aviation, to WGN. “This progress demonstrates the strength of Chicago’s aviation system.”
Chicago has been giving Atlanta a bigger battle for dominance and beat the city for most air operations four months last year.
AIRLINES ADD CHICAGO SERVICE
O’Hare’s biggest carriers are predicting their busiest summer in history.
American Airlines is adding 20 new destination from Chicago this year, including nonstop service to Sun Valley, Idaho and Santa Fe, New Mexico in addition to previously announced additional international destinations.
Chicago-based United Airlines has also announced new routes and frequency from O’Hare as the two large legacy carriers battle each other for passenger preference.
In May, WGN Investigates reported on how the “air war” was headed to court after United tried to exercise a clause in its contract to gobble-up additional gate space.
Chicago is the only city in America where three major airlines operate hubs. The fierce fight for passengers lowers airfares and can drive airlines to roll-out perks to woo them.
United operates 48% of departures at O’Hare while American operates 35% of departures. Southwest is by far the dominant carrier at Midway.
HOW ARE AIRPORTS MEASURED?
The number of flights isn’t the only way to measure an airport’s success. Other important factors include passenger volume and seats offered.
In July, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport is expected to offer more seats on planes — 5.7 million — than any other airport, according to OAG.
By that measure, Dubai comes in second and O’Hare will be in third place.
OAG notes O’Hare will log “the largest capacity increase among the Top 10 (global) airports with an 11-percent growth in seats” in July.
MORE FLIGHTS REQUIRE MORE ROOM
O’Hare’s capacity is set to change significantly in the next decade with construction just getting underway on new satellite concourses and a global terminal that will result in new gates and new capacity for airlines. The latest price tag puts the project at $8.45B, with completion expected in 2034.
