Chicago traffic: 4th of July travelers to hit airports, roads Wednesday
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago airports were crowded Wednesday morning as people get away for the Fourth of July weekend.

It’s also the busiest day on the roads, since so many people are off work Thursday and Friday.

The hustle and bustle of holiday travel has landed at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.

The Chicago Department of Aviation anticipates over 1.5 million passengers to pass through O’Hare from Wednesday through July 7, marking an 11 percent rise compared to the same period last year.

While down south at Midway, 320,000 travelers are estimated to catch a flight during the same six day time period.

“The crowds have definitely increased here over the last few hours with people making their way out for those holiday destinations,” stated Georgiaree Godfrey with the Chicago Department of Aviation.

At the crack of dawn, O’Hare’s was packed with passengers…checking in for those early morning flights with plenty of bags in tow.

For those planning on getting into the fray Wednesday or in the coming days, the CDA is offering up this advice.

“Arrive early,” Godfrey advised. “We always recommend passengers arrive at the airport two hours before their flight for domestic travel and three hours for international flights.”

American Airlines is now using new technology to help streamline the process for passengers trying to make connecting flights during the busiest Fourth of July travel period on record in Chicago for the company.

“We’re flying over 31,000 customers and the timing of our connection tool couldn’t come at a better time,” Ben Humphrey, VP of American Operations in Chicago, said.

Humphrey gave ABC7 an inside look at the Hub Control Center, where the tech is now being used to save precious time and help passengers make those holiday flights.

“We basically juggle about 30 airplanes an hour coming in and out with connections,” Humphrey said. “If one of those is late, we have to make a decision do we want to hold outbound flights or not…We’ve automated that to help connect more customers.”

Humphrey said it’s already been rolled out in Dallas-Fort Worth and Charlotte, helping thousands of customers who would have otherwise missed a connecting flight.

“We’re making more connections for customers so they can make their weddings and vacation plans,” Humphrey said.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Grieving mom of dead Camp Mystic camper desperately seeks daughter's 'most prized possession' lost in devastating Texas floods

Heartbroken Mother Seeks Lost Treasured Item of Late Camp Mystic Daughter After Texas Floods

A heartbroken Texas mother, whose 8-year-old daughter tragically passed away during catastrophic…
Aaron Judge’s game-ending sac fly leads Yankees to stunning comeback win over Mariners

Aaron Judge’s Sacrifice Fly Seals Yankees’ Thrilling Comeback Victory Against Mariners

The Yankees avoided being on the wrong side of history and then…
New York ABSOLUTELY should ban masked 'protests'

New York Should Certainly Prohibit Masked ‘Protests’

Masked protestors took to the city streets, targeting Jewish neighborhoods, and voiced…
Karen Read asks Massachusetts court to throw out wrongful death lawsuit after murder acquittal

Karen Read Requests Massachusetts Court to Dismiss Wrongful Death Lawsuit Following Her Murder Acquittal

Karen Read, who was exonerated from murder charges last month concerning the…
Toddler Clay Parisher added to tragic list of dead from historic Texas floods

Tragic Loss: Toddler Clay Parisher Among Latest Victims of Texas Flood Disaster

A tragic addition has been made to the already heart-wrenching list of…
Federal audit of Rebuild Florida Program underway

Federal Review Begins for Rebuild Florida Initiative

The Deputy Inspector General for HUD discusses an audit of the Rebuild…
Reckoning: Lisa Murkowski Censured Again by Alaska Republicans

Lisa Murkowski’s New Book Faces a Storm of Criticism in Reviews

This is too funny.  I’ve critiqued Princess Lisa Murkowski plenty, as have…
Pennsylvania man who showed father's severed head on YouTube said he wanted to block him from being next Trump

Pennsylvania Man Displayed Father’s Severed Head on YouTube to Prevent His Political Rise

The Pennsylvania man accused of murdering his father and then uploading a…
One year after Trump assassination attempt, Butler widow demands accountability from Secret Service

One Year After Attempted Assassination on Trump, Butler Widow Calls for Secret Service Accountability

One year after Corey Comperatore was killed at a Trump rally in…
Chicago's 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. wants son to replace him in City Council after retirement, drawing criticism

Chicago Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. faces backlash for proposing his son as successor in City Council’s 27th Ward after retirement

The longest-tenured member of the Chicago City Council is stepping down at…
Police searching for man who allegedly kidnapped 3-year-old son in east Alabama

Authorities Seek Man Accused of Abducting His 3-Year-Old Son in East Alabama

AUBURN, Ala. (WIAT) — Auburn police announced that they are searching for…
‘Love Island USA’ Star Zak Srakaew Says He Liked Amaya Espinal “More” After She Called Him An “Extremely” Odd Individual”: “I Lowkey Like A Little Bit Of Fire”

Zak Srakaew from ‘Love Island USA’ Admits He Grew More Fond of Amaya Espinal After Being Called an “Extremely” Odd Person: “I Secretly Enjoy a Bit of Spark”

Zak Srakaew came to the realization “too late” that Amaya Espinal was…