Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is the busiest airfield in the U.S., according to newly released preliminary operations data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Last year, 857,392 aircraft landed or took off from O’Hare—more than any other airport in America. Final global rankings and full passenger figures for 2025 will be released later this year.
“This is more than a statistic, it’s a statement about Chicago’s momentum,” says Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in a prepared statement. “From the runways of O’Hare to the neighborhoods across our city, Chicago is building, growing, and leading. We are open for business, open to the world, and once again setting the pace for the nation.”
O’Hare’s return to the top spot reflects a powerful postpandemic recovery, the strength of Chicago’s workforce, and the impact of sustained investment in airport modernization, airfield capacity, and global connectivity. The airport continues to serve as a gateway not only to Chicago, but to the Midwest, the nation, and the world.
“Every one of those flights represents jobs, commerce, tourism, and opportunity,” says Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner Michael McMurray. “Our CDA team and our key airline partners, like United Airlines and American Airlines and their many O’Hare operations workers, move mountains every day to keep O’Hare running at this busy level, no matter the season, no matter the obstacles. This achievement belongs to them—and to the people of Chicago.”
The milestone underscores the need to continue to invest in Chicago’s multibillion-dollar ORDNext program, which is expanding capacity, improving the passenger experience, and preparing the airport for the next generation of global air travel, starting with the $1.3 billion, 19-gate new Concourse D, scheduled for completion in late 2028.
“O’Hare’s return as the busiest airport in America underscores one of Chicago’s greatest competitive advantages: unmatched global connectivity,” says Phil Clement, president and CEO of World Business Chicago. “For companies deciding where to locate, expand, or invest, access to markets, talent, and customers is critical—and O’Hare sits at the center of that equation. This recognition reinforces the importance of continued investment in our airports, including the ORDNext capital program and the new $1.3 billion Concourse D, recent examples of why O’Hare continues to deliver one of the best airport experiences in the country.”
Kristen Reynolds, president and CEO of Choose Chicago, the city’s official destination marketing organization, adds, “This achievement for O’Hare is a powerful reflection of Chicago’s momentum and our unmatched connectivity to the world. Our airports are more than international hubs for transportation—they are our front door, the first touchpoint for millions of visitors every year, and a symbol of how Chicago is ‘never done and never outdone.’ Having the busiest airport in the U.S. underscores the strength of our aviation partners, our workforce, and our visitor economy, and it reinforces Chicago’s position as a global hub for both business and leisure travel.”
Preliminary data also shows that Midway International Airport ranked 38th in the nation for takeoffs and landings, with 210,930 last year, behind Raleigh-Durham International Airport and ahead of Portland International Airport in Oregon—further underscoring Chicago’s strength as a dual-hub system. Across both O’Hare and Midway, an aircraft took off or landed in Chicago every 30 seconds last year.
“With Midway playing a critical role in serving millions of business and leisure travelers last year, Chicago’s dual-airport system is unmatched by any other U.S. city,” notes McMurray.
