Yeah I know it's inside the RPZ but you can still park cars in the RPZ. I didn't think the station was so tall that it would be a safety issue either.

Seems foolish to throw away a perfectly good parking lot with people-mover access. That station would cost 60M to build new, and it's not even very old - it's newer than the Orange Line! Not to mention the savings you can get from discontinuing the shuttle buses.

I agree it should be kept and used if possible. I don't think the aviation department actually wanted to get rid of it but the vertical height of the station roof I think was a concern for the FAA with the longer 27C. Since it has not been demoed yet maybe that's changed or they are waiting for them to decide.

I sort of wish they would push rideshare pickup out to this spot so pickups don't clog the departure level curbs.

T5 expansion completion date
 

Has there been any details provided on the new Delta Club at T5? I couldn’t find anything other than an opening this fall. Is it safe to assume it will double as a Sky Team lounge too?

Also, are there any other details about the interior of The expanded T5, such as other lounges going in, or even expanded lounges?

What is the latest completion date?

I had assumed the end of the year? I flew out of T5 earlier this week and it still looked like things were under construction. I wasn't able to get a close look since the T5 security checkpoint situation is currently fucked if you have a few groups of flights close together. I waited in line for 50 minutes and almost missed boarding my SW flight. I'm assuming it will be much better after T5 is done and they move Delta flights over.

I fly back Sunday evening and will try to see if anything looks close to done.

Flair Canada started service today with a 737 MAX to Toronto. Nice bright colors contrast the dull US mainline colors.

Also Icelandair upgraded to 757-300 aircraft to Chicago this week.

O'Hare overhaul moving forward, delayed to 2030
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/airl...erhaul-delayed

Not sure if it was included in that article or not but the groundbreaking on the new six-level parking garage at Terminal 5 broke ground today.

Actually, they will opened in September. Delta will move to T5 on September 10.

Ummm, what?? What's going on?? They still awaits from FAA approval. They will be approved real soon.

Paywall behind article, can someone post details?

Also, great to see the A380 back at ORD! British Airways restarted its daily LHR-ORD A380 service on June 1st 2022!

Nothing too serious. The pandemic delayed all the federal regulatory agencies, so the clock resets as everything works through the regulatory queue.

Not sure if this was mentioned previously but British Airways brought back daily A380 service to O'Hare the other day! Hopefully we will see Emirates follow soon.

T5 New Lounges?
 

Other than a new Delta Club at T5, will there be other new lounges going in? I think British Airways, SAS, Swissair, KLM/Air France, and Swissport have lounges there now. I'd assume all SkyTeam airlines will now use the new Delta lounge, but I have heard nothing else in regards to new lounges in T5. Before the T5 expansion project was even a plan, one of the biggest complaints was how few lounges and space existed in T5.

If my memory serves me correct, I think the Swiss and SAS lounges are rather small. With other Star Carriers that don't have lounges at T5 (Turkish, Austrian, Ethiopian, Air New Zealand, Air India) I wonder if they can handle the traffic.

Would Emirates put a lounge in for just one flight per day? Qatar? Qater at least has two flights per day.

I think there's a lounge for British Airways, but from what I recall when I flew to London last Sep., it was closed. So.... I would assume they are redoing lounges for at least some airlines. I would absolutely love to see an Emirates lounge at O'Hare...... There's only a couple BA flights out of T5, so I see no reason why Emirates (with all of their gushing Emirates support) couldn't have a flashy lounge at an airport the size of O'Hare. According to their website, Air France is their partner lounge.

And I too would love to see Emirates bring the 380 to Chicago. It's the perfect excuse to book a ticket to Dubai. Of course... I would have to get a business class ticket to get in on that top floor bar. Anyone looking to buy an organ? :runaway:

Once the Terminal 5 expansion completes in a few months, there will be a second A380 capable gate so it would definitely be possible for another airline to bring the A380 to ORD when that happens.

The thing to remember is that Oneworld and Star Alliance airlines will relocate to the Global Terminal when that completes later this decade, so those airlines would likely wait to open new lounges in the Global Terminal when it's completed.

As far as Skyteam and non-affiliated carriers go, haven't herd of any plans for new lounges aside from the new Delta Skyclub, so we'll just have to wait and see.

I could definitely see Emirates build a lounge at ORD. They have lounges at most of the US airports they serve including JFK, BOS, SFO, and LAX. Perhaps they will build one by the second A380 gate when the T5 expansion completes.

Midfield Tunnel underway?
 

Was flying in and out of Ohare two weeks ago and noticed a bunch of digging and construction work on the tarmac out by the C concourse.

Is this perhaps the beginning of the tunnel for the second mid-field terminal extension? It doesn't really look like the right location.

They were breaking up the concrete on the tarmac and had about 12 different pieces of equipment.

That would be the "Taxiway K/L Grade Separation" project listed here:
https://www.tpapord.com/projects/

They are still working on approvals for the global terminal and remote gates. Draft Environmental Assessment just came out. This needs to be approved before they can start any of the remaining major announced projects::
https://www.faa.gov/airports/great_lakes/TAPandATEA/

The Canadians are coming. Today at ORD, Swoop 737-800. This is the low cost Westjet owned startup.

Flair also started YYZORD service last month but are pulling out due to so many other Canadian carriers jumping on the band wagon.

AA/UA/AC also added more service to Canada along with Westjet adding a Dash 8 turboprop in the afternoon. Porter also has Dash 8 service to MDW.

Icelandair also upgrading flights to 757-300 now daily with a second flight several times a week using a 737 Max to Iceland.

https://www.airlinefan.com/airline-p...-GYSD/1626545/

Sadly, the O'Hare global terminal design has been altered pretty significantly; the wooden slat ceiling with glazing reveals was lovely in theory, but far too impractical because not only it would have required large amounts of glass for all of the reveals in between, the amounts of conditioned air required to move through such a large volume would have been massive and impractical and required a very expensive HVAC system that would also have been burdensome to maintain over the years.

I have not seen the latest design since I left my last firm so things may have been changed slightly, but of what I did see last time, the new roof structure is more monolithic with maybe two dozen (or more) punched openings spread throughout the structure. The six-pointed "Chicago star" is still in the middle of the structure, and the overall massing of the terminal is basically the same. Don't know too much about the design of interior spaces other than it is possibly very clean and bright, but I don't think it has the same nuance as the previous Studio Gang design. God is in the details indeed, and who knows, maybe the interior spaces will be very lovely, but we'll see.

While it is unfortunate that the original, competition-winning design was not feasible (especially given current and near-future market conditions), I feel like the Foster and Partners and Calatrava designs would have fared far FAR worse in terms of eventual VE, because those interior volumes were even larger and would have required more complex and expensive mechanical and structural systems.

Honestly, I'm kinda happy it's getting redesigned. Call me boring, but I don't get the love for these wild open air concepts like the Calatrava design. I mean, yeah it looks cool I guess, but the number one job of an airport is to be functional.

I honestly liked the SOM design the best. Sure it might be a little boring compared to the others, but it was functional, efficient, and still looks world class and nice imo. It had a nice balance of high ceilings, big windows letting natural light, and some greenery without being over the top. Plus SOM has more experience with airport design, and it shows compared to the Gang renders imo. The only thing that I don't really care for with the SOM renders are the trees in glass cubes. I think it kinda looks wierd and it should just be trees inside instead.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9f731d7f_c.jpg

https://www.moodiedavittreport.com/w...-rendering.jpg

https://www.som.com/wp-content/uploa...366x1024-c.jpg

Interesting to see what the redesign of the global terminal will look like. I am happy to hear the Chicago star will still be there. I wouldn't miss the wooden part that much. This is an airport, not the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Worth remembering SOM is designing the new satellite terminal. I like like that since we will see two differently designed aspects to all of this.

Etihad Airways flight EY151/EY150 daily service to and from Abu Dhabi (AUH) will upgrade to the larger A350 from a 7879 starting June 30th 2022.

That is great. I missed the news that they were getting rid of their 77Ws last year. Some of those couldn't have been that old. I think one new frame was even delivered to them in 2014. And to think United took delivery of their first 77W in late 2016, and American only a few years earlier.

Not anytime soon. The 777W's will be around for many years at AA/UA and for a few more years at Etihad. The A350-900 is not a direct replacement for the 777W, although the -1000 is pretty close. The 777XX will be.

My comment on the 77Ws leaving was for Etihad. Etihad is already moving to newer designed and more efficient planes while the US carriers will have these older variants well into the future. Below are links from last year.

https://onemileatatime.com/etihad-re...ing-777-fleet/

https://thepointsguy.com/news/eithad-777-retirement/

A new airline, Norse Atlantic, is establishing a UK subsidiary and announced intentions to fly from London Gatwick to Chicago/Rockford Airport. 🤯

https://simpleflying.com/norse-atlantic-uk-plans/

This has to be a typo, no? A trans-continental flight to..... Rockford?

If that's true, those poor passengers who's first impression of the US being Rockford.

They would have to set up passenger customs for the hours this flight comes in. I know they used to have a few passenger flights that required customs but this is a larger aircraft. They also have customs for the freight flights. I bet it goes to ORD.

T5 Turnover
 

Power Construction noted on their instagram (link) on Wednesday that they turned over two new T5 gates for use.

Based on the photos I'm guessing they are using it to help with international arrivals rather than full use (international and domestic arrivals/departures).

Friend of mine sat for 45 minutes a week or two ago waiting for an international gate from her flight back from Greece and appears they clearly need all the international gates they can get with summer travel.

I shudder to think what the customs hall is looking like these days.

Ok.... This looks amazing. I absolutely love the natural light... The ceilings.... Now I have an excuse to make an international flight once they open the entire area. I'm assuming those new gates direct passengers into the existing terminal area, and the open space in the new terminal is still being worked on?

I think it ultimately always just comes down to flight schedules. If you have a few 787-9s or A350s land at the same time, well then customs is going to be a long long line. However, if you land and you are the only international flight for an hour or two, then I suspect it won't be too bad.

When I flew back from Spain the day before Thanksgiving last year, I encountered very little in the way of customs, but there were also no other major flights landing at that time. Same goes for when you are going through security for a flight. If you have enough flights clustered close together, then the limited security points they currently have make security a nightmare. My flight in May out of Southwest was like this, and I had to wait nearly an hour in security.

I just flew in from Milan on Tuesday and customs wasn’t bad at all with Global Entry. Those who didn’t have it probably had to wait a little while.

Was the international baggage arrival area all torn up? When I flew back from London this past February the international baggage arrival area was all torn up due to the construction. It was pretty bleak and an exceptionally poor "welcome" to Chicago. Understand they are actively improving it but hope that completion is sooner than later.

I didn’t see any major construction projects. But I got through pretty quickly with Global Entry so I didn’t stick around long to look around after my long flight.

T5 Lounges
 

With the opening of the expanded T5 approaching, I am surprised there is no news on any new lounges or renovations. I know the need for more lounge space in T5 was one of the reasons for the expansion along with gates, new bagging handling, etc. The only thing I have read was a new Delta Club opening in T5 when they move there. Any information is appreciated. Thanks

Air Serbia will be launching BEG-ORD in spring 2023 with Airbus A330 aircraft. They only serve JFK in North America.

It is always exciting to hear about new international routes out of Chicago!

More info regarding Air Serbia’s ORD announcement here: https://simpleflying.com/air-serbia-...twork-chicago/

O'Hare really booming this year. Flight up 22% almost the same number of flights as Hartford to date.

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg...g-jump-flights

That's good but all the key southern US hubs are doing better. Sounds like that article rating ORD as one of the best airports in the US. Let's face it, most of the domestic terminals are a dump and need to be replaced or renovated ASAP. The T5 upgrades and the T1 window/upgrades are also good along with the new L-side gates.

T5 needs to get worked out FAST. Just came in and had to walk forever from the far end then was in customs line for an hour. For O'Hare to be successful it needs to make this way more seamless. I can't imagine anyone having a connecting flight and having to budget for that.

What do you mean that "key southern hubs are doing better"? No airport in the world had more operations than O'hare this June. And O'hare is up 22% to almost tie AT for first place for the whole year, while ATL and DFW are up 5%.

O'hare needs to be improved a lot to be clearly be the most significant U.S. airport instead of one of the most significant. But by the end of the decade it will be.

2020 and 2021 are irrelevant for ORD and the rest of the country for domestic PASSENGER TRAFFIC. If you compare pre covid 19 numbers to this year the southern hubs are closer to their 2019 numbers than ORD, that's why ticket prices are higher at ORD now. I don't know if you watch seat numbers but mainline passenger seats are nowhere near 2019 levels at ORD. They are closer at ATL and DFW. Even DEN is high as they are the largest UA hub still.

I've spent an hour (or more) waiting to clear immigration in numerous European airports. I would not schedule a connection any less than 2 hours after arrival and even that would really be pushing it at some places.

Two words - Global Entry.

I know you can still be slowed down, but at O'Hare it has always been waiting for the carousel to start delivering bags.

Our time in Heathrow this past May was easily an hour between walking from the gate to Immigration and then waiting in line.

A couple pieces of decent news on the O'Hare front. Nothing crazy exciting, but happy to see the financial front looking stable.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...t-airport-deal

http://www.lawndalenews.com/2022/09/...ional-airport/

Qantas Expands The Pool Of Potential Project Sunrise Destinations

Once all announced non-stop services have begun, Qantas will connect London to Sydney and Melbourne. It will also connect these two Australian cities to Paris and Frankfurt. It will connect Sydney to Dallas, New York, Miami, and Chicago. New York, Chicago, and Miami will also be connected to Melbourne. Miami and Chicago were the two most recent additions to Project Sunrise's list. The existing London to Perth route will continue operations, while a separate route will soon connect Perth to Rome.

https://simpleflying.com/qantas-expa...nrise-network/

This is awesome! Australia is on my bucket list to visit, and now I have an excuse to go there direct. They have a video of what the first class cabins will look like... Probably should start saving now....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c504mnty-Tc

Flew into terminal 5 from Milan yesterday, it was crazy. Walked right into the customs area, not a single person waiting, strolled right through in 30 seconds and then walked over and our bags were right there in front of us. From when we walked off the plane until we got on the people mover and over to the CTA station was less than 10 minutes.

That sounds like heaven! In an ideal world, this is what it should be like lol :slob:

That's funny because I flew in yesterday too and it was relatively quick except the bags kept getting stuck in the conveyor and at one point one bag even completely ripped open. It was a strange shit show. After that we exited relatively quickly. I hope that whole baggage claim area is going to get renovated with the T5 updates. It needs it.