KMDW Chicago Midway International Airport

Note: Mac and Linux users, Please use the additional package included in this download and refer to the official manual for installation instructions.

Chicago Midway International Airport (IATA: MDW, ICAO: KMDW, FAA LID: MDW) is located on the southwest side of Chicago, roughly 8 miles (13 km) from downtown. Originally established in 1927 as Chicago Municipal Airport, it was renamed Midway in 1949 to honor the Battle of Midway during World War II. Midway was once the busiest airport in the world before the opening of O'Hare International Airport in the 1950s. Today, Midway serves as a vital hub for domestic air travel, especially for low-cost carriers. In 2019, the airport handled over 22 million passengers, making it the second-largest airport in the Chicago metropolitan area and the state of Illinois.

Midway is a major base for Southwest Airlines, which carries over 95% of the airport’s passengers, making Chicago its largest focus city. The airport has five runways, but due to its landlocked position within the city, it lacks space for expansion. Despite these constraints, the airport operates with high efficiency and serves over 70 nonstop destinations across the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The airport's layout consists of a single-passenger terminal with three concourses (A, B, and C), featuring a variety of dining and shopping options for travelers.

The airport's history dates back to its original name, Chicago Air Park when it was built on a 320-acre (130 ha) plot in 1923, primarily serving airmail flights. It was officially renamed Chicago Municipal Airport in 1927. By 1931, it had expanded to include a passenger terminal, and by 1932, it claimed to be the world's busiest airport, handling over 100,846 passengers on 60,947 flights. During the 1940s and 1950s, Midway dominated air travel in the U.S., with peak passenger counts reaching 10 million in 1959. However, the rise of larger jet aircraft necessitated longer runways, shifting much of Chicago's air traffic to O'Hare International Airport.

Midway’s location within a dense urban environment presents unique operational challenges. Aircraft landing at Midway must navigate strict approach paths to avoid nearby residential areas, and noise abatement procedures are strictly enforced. Due to its shorter runways compared to other major airports, pilots must execute precise landings and takeoffs, often relying on advanced braking techniques. In 2005, the airport made headlines when Southwest Airlines Flight 1248 skidded off the runway during a snowstorm, highlighting the challenges of Midway’s limited overrun space.

Unlike Chicago O'Hare, which handles a large volume of international flights, Midway’s international services are primarily to destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. The airport has a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility to accommodate these flights, but most long-haul international travel in Chicago is routed through O'Hare. The airport’s terminal complex, completed in 2001, spans over Cicero Avenue and houses 43 gates with facilities for international arrivals. The Stevenson Expressway (I-55) runs adjacent to the airport, providing direct access to downtown Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Additionally, the CTA rapid transit Orange Line connects Midway to downtown, offering a fast and affordable public transit option for travelers.

Chicago Midway International Airport covers just over one square mile (650 acres or 260 hectares) and has five runways. Due to its dense urban surroundings, the airport features displaced landing thresholds to ensure obstacle clearance, limiting the available landing distance. The longest runway, 13C/31C, has an available landing distance of 6,059 feet (1,847 m) in the southeast direction and 5,826 feet (1,776 m) to the northwest. As a result, large commercial aircraft, such as the Boeing 757, are the largest airliners typically seen at Midway. The FAA enforces strict load limits and weather minimums to ensure safe operations.

The airport is a key part of Chicago’s aviation landscape, serving millions of travelers annually with a focus on convenience and efficiency. Its compact design, strategic location, and strong presence of low-cost carriers make it a preferred choice for many domestic travelers. Despite space constraints, ongoing modernization efforts, including expansions of security checkpoints and parking facilities, continue to improve the passenger experience. Midway remains an essential component of Chicago’s transportation infrastructure, preserving its legacy as a historic and vital airport in the region.