Chicago Airports Brace for 2M Memorial Day Travelers

The Chicago Department of Aviation said on Thursday that more than 2 million passengers are expected to pass through O’Hare and Midway international airports during the Memorial Day travel rush, one of the busiest holiday stretches of the year. Most of that traffic will move through O’Hare, while about 300,000 travelers are projected at Midway, according to the department’s forecast. The travel window runs from Thursday through at least Monday in local television reports, while the city’s airport planning period extends through Tuesday. Chicago officials have urged passengers to allow extra time as crowds build at terminals, security checkpoints and pickup areas. ### How many people are expected to move through Chicago’s airports? More than 2 million passengers are expected across the two airports, the Chicago Department of Aviation said, putting this year’s Memorial Day period above last year’s 1.86 million projection. The department said O’Hare will handle the bulk of the traffic, and local reports citing the agency said Midway is expected to see about 300,000 travelers. (cbsnews.com) The 2025 Memorial Day forecast called for more than 1.86 million passengers between Thursday, May 22, and Tuesday, May 27, according to a City of Chicago release. In 2024, the city projected 1.67 million travelers over the same holiday period. ### Where is the biggest increase showing up? O’Hare is seeing the clearest jump. (cbsnews.com) NBC Chicago, citing the Chicago Department of Aviation, reported that O’Hare passenger traffic during the 2026 Memorial Day rush is expected to be 15% higher than during the 2025 holiday period. The same report said Thursday was expected to be the busiest day at O’Hare. (chicago.gov) Midway’s volume is smaller but still significant. CBS Chicago reported that roughly 300,000 travelers are expected there over the holiday stretch, and ABC7’s coverage said Monday is projected to be Midway’s busiest day. ### What are Chicago officials telling travelers to do? Chicago officials are directing travelers to use airport and city information channels before leaving home. (nbcchicago.com) The city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications said on May 20 that residents and visitors should expect added crowds, heavier traffic and street closures across Chicago during Memorial Day weekend and should plan accordingly. (cbsnews.com) FlyChicago’s airport information pages tell passengers to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight information, while the city also maintains a live cancellations page for O’Hare and Midway. The Chicago Department of Aviation says those tools carry current information supplied by airlines and airport systems. ### How does Chicago fit into the broader holiday travel picture? (chicago.gov) AAA projected last week that 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day weekend. That forecast was slightly above the 44.8 million travelers AAA estimated for the holiday in 2025. Chicago’s airport crowds are arriving alongside a broader local holiday crush. (cx.flychicago.com) The Chicago Sun-Times reported that about 8.5 million vehicles are projected to travel on Illinois tollways during the same period, adding pressure around airport access routes as fliers and drivers move at once. (midstates.aaa.com) ### What happens next for passengers flying this weekend? Thursday through Tuesday is the airport system’s main holiday planning window, according to the city’s recent Memorial Day travel patterns and current local coverage. O’Hare and Midway passengers can monitor flight status and cancellations through FlyChicago, while the city’s Memorial Day event schedule runs through Monday, May 25, with additional downtown activity tied to parades and ceremonies. (chicago.suntimes.com)