Dear Traveler:

On behalf of the great employees of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), I am thrilled to welcome you to O’Hare and Midway International Airports!

The winter season means the holidays are once again upon us. And, as you probably have noticed, our airport halls are decked out for the season and filled with the rush and excitement of travelers looking forward to spending time with loved ones.

As we transition from the leaves of autumn to the snowfall of winter, thoughts are also turning to the perfect activities to engage in for a new season.

Many in Chicago will head off to exciting locations around the globe for skiing, while those preferring the warm weather will be planning trips to Sun Belt hot spots like Tucson, Arizona. Read about those places in the Across the Map section (pg.22), which also spotlights the Birthplace of America (Philadelphia), the world class destination of Madrid, as well as Colombia’s largest city, Bogotá, where Avianca Airlines has recently launched nonstop service to O’Hare.

We are pulling out all the stops in making sure our airports reflect the festive mood of the season. To read about the holiday decor greeting travelers at both O’Hare and Midway, go to Page 18. If you’re looking for the perfect holiday gifts for your loved ones during your travels, check out our shopping guide on Page 20. And while you pass through our airports, make sure you stop by Veterans Roasters and Brown Sugar Bakery, along with a number of new food concessions sure to satisfy your appetite. Find out more in the At the Airport section starting on Page 14.

Our airport family is very grateful to have been of service to you during your time in Chicago in 2024, and we eagerly look forward to being here for you again in 2025.

Season’s greetings, and best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Sincerely,
Jamie L. Rhee
Commissioner
Chicago Department of Aviation