Midway History
Known initially as this before being renamed in honor of a pivotal World War II naval battle.
What is Chicago Municipal Airport?
Southwest Airlines is the primary carrier at Midway, handling over this percentage of passengers annually.
What is 90% (or over 90%)?
This program, completed in 2023, expanded the concessions and security checkpoint areas at Midway.
What is the Midway Modernization Program (MMP)?
This school, once located near the airport, closed in 1955 due to the noise and its close proximity to the runways.
What is Nathan Hale School?
This CTA line provides a direct connection between Midway and downtown Chicago.
What is the Orange Line?
From the 1930s to the 1950s, Midway held this distinction in the aviation world.
What is "the World's Busiest Airport"?
Midway is situated on a square mile of land, bounded by these two streets and two avenues.
What are 55th and 63rd Streets, and Central and Cicero Avenues?
Installed at the ends of several runways at Midway, these cellular cement beds provide controlled deceleration for overrun aircraft.
What are arrestor beds?
Before becoming an airport, the land on which Midway sits was initially owned by this entity.
What is the Chicago Board of Education?
Completed in 2013, this facility significantly increased capacity for rental cars at Midway.
What is the Consolidated Rental Car Facility?
This airline, the first formed after airline deregulation in the U.S., helped revitalize Midway Airport.
What are Midway Airlines?
This CTA rapid transit line connects Midway Airport to the Loop, making the commute easier and inexpensive.
What is the Orange Line?
Opened in 2020, this expansion project at Midway widened the passenger bridge over Cicero Avenue.
What is the Security Checkpoint Expansion?
In the early days of Midway, this type of flight, not passenger, was a primary service offered from a cinder runway.
What is airmail service?
This was built in 2000 to connect the new terminal to the concourses.
What is a pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue?
The original airport building, initially owned by the U.S. Army, was used by the U.S. Army Air Corps.
What is an aircraft hangar?
In 2013, Midway served over this many passengers, setting a new record for the airport.
What is 20 million?
This facility, accommodating 1,870 vehicles, opened in 2013 to increase capacity for rental cars at Midway.
What is the Consolidated Rental Car Facility?
This airline, a major player at Midway, offers over 90% of the airport's passengers.
What is Southwest Airlines?
This allows shuttle buses to transport passengers to and from the terminal and the economy parking garage.
What is a dedicated bridge and roadway?
This tragic event in 1972 involved a United Airlines jet crashing into a residential area near Midway during landing.
What was United Airlines Flight 553?
This longest runway at Midway is over 6,500 feet long.
What is runway 13C/31C?
This first-ever shared-use passenger lounge in Midway's history opened in September 2024.
What is The Club MDW?
You can find this unique artwork at Midway's Security Checkpoint, near the food court, representing the physical characteristics of Lake Michigan.
"The Body of Lake Michigan"?
According to the FAA, Midway Airport is currently experiencing delays of this type.
What are the general departure and arrival delays of 15 minutes or less?