Long airport lines will mark the start of many Memorial Day travelers' vacations.
Chicago airports are expecting nearly 1.5 travelers over the holiday weekend, an increase of 2.8 percent compared to last year's holiday weekend.
O’Hare Airport anticipates Thursday to be the busiest day with about 260,000 passengers and a total of 1.04 million travelers throughout the weekend. In addition, Midway Airport predicts more than 67,000 passengers on Friday and a total of 444,000 during the weekend.
“We’re very excited to welcome the thousands of travelers who will pass visit Chicago or make flight connections through O’Hare and Midway this Memorial Day weekend,” said Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino in a statement.
To help bring travelers out of the fog of chaos that floods busy airport holidays, both airports will offer treats and entertainment throughout the weekend.
O’Hare will feature local military school performances and the USO Jazz Band on Friday and Airport Ambassadors will greet the many travelers that flood Midway's facility. Both airport concessions will distribute small, flag-bearing memorabilia for passengers to tote on their journey.
To help O’Hare customers navigate the airport, the CDA launched a free Apple iPhone app with virtual navigation of terminals, restaurants, restrooms and other airport amenities.
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A similar app will soon be launched for Midway as well.
Both airports advise passengers to arrive at least two hours before their scheduled flight departure and three hours for those flying internationally to outweigh the increase in traffic.
