Chicago Airports Expect Over 2 Million Memorial Day Travelers

More than 2 million travelers are expected to pass through Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports over the Memorial Day travel period, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. The holiday rush began Thursday and runs through at least Monday, with some local reports citing airline projections through Tuesday. O’Hare will handle the vast majority of the traffic, while Midway is expected to process just under 300,000 passengers. Airport officials and federal screeners have warned travelers to expect longer lines at security checkpoints as volumes rise. ### How many people are expected at each airport? O’Hare is expected to see about 1.75 million passengers during the holiday travel window, according to figures cited by NBC Chicago from the Chicago Department of Aviation. Midway is projected to handle nearly 292,000 travelers over the same period. Those counts would put the combined total above 2 million passengers. (cbsnews.com) The Chicago Department of Aviation, which oversees both airports, has also said O’Hare traffic is running well above last year’s Memorial Day period. NBC Chicago reported the agency expects O’Hare holiday travel to rise 15% from 2025, while Midway traffic is projected to increase 3% from a year earlier. (nbcchicago.com) ### When will the terminals be most crowded? Friday is expected to be the busiest day at both airports, according to CBS Chicago and NBC Chicago. At Midway, nearly 54,000 passengers are projected on Friday, NBC Chicago reported, citing the aviation department. The travel period described in local coverage is not identical across outlets. CBS Chicago said the department expects more than 2 million people from Thursday through Monday, while NBC Chicago said O’Hare and Midway projections run from Thursday, May 21, through Tuesday, May 26. (nbcchicago.com) Both reports attributed the estimates to the Chicago Department of Aviation. (cbsnews.com) ### What are officials telling travelers to do before heading out? The Chicago Department of Aviation has warned that travelers could face “longer than usual wait times” at security checkpoints because of the increase in passengers, NBC Chicago reported. The Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have advised passengers to arrive early, according to that report. (cbsnews.com) TSA’s public travel guidance tells passengers to check that they have acceptable identification, arrive at the airport early and prepare liquids in containers of 3.4 ounces or less inside a quart-size clear bag. The agency also says larger electronics should be placed where they can be easily removed for screening in standard lanes. ### What should travelers know about TSA PreCheck and screening help? (nbcchicago.com) TSA says PreCheck lane availability varies by airport, day and time, and hours can change based on operational needs. If a dedicated PreCheck lane is not open, travelers with a TSA PreCheck boarding pass may still receive expedited screening in a standard lane, the agency says. AskTSA is available year-round through social platforms and text, according to the agency’s travel tips page. (tsa.gov) TSA also says passengers with disabilities or medical conditions can contact TSA Cares before travel for screening assistance. ### Where can travelers check conditions before leaving? Flychicago’s O’Hare and Midway sites provide flight, security and ground transportation information for both airports, and the Chicago Department of Aviation directs travelers there for airport information. (tsa.gov) TSA’s travel tips, checklist and PreCheck schedule pages provide the agency’s current screening guidance. Tuesday, May 26, is the last date included in the longer holiday projection window cited by NBC Chicago. (tsa.gov) Travelers moving through O’Hare or Midway before then can expect the heaviest passenger volumes around the Memorial Day peak, with Friday identified by local outlets as the busiest day at both airports. (nbcchicago.com) (flychicago.com)