Quantcast

Chicago records over one million round-trip fliers on top destinations in 2024

Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Jet2 warns of profits squeeze from rising costs and late bookings
Southwest bends further to activist shareholder Elliott's demands
Downgraded on a flight? Take these simple but important steps to get your money back
Delta Offers Over $2 Million to CRJ Crash Passengers
Boeing Delays Continue for Alaska, Hawaiian
Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights
Airline to launch new bunk beds in economy on long-haul flights next year
How Airline Employees Are Coping After Deadly Washington Crash
Major airline reverses in-flight menu change amid outcry
British Airways frequent flyer scheme changes: everything you need to know
Airline introduces world-first hand luggage ban on popular travel gadget
Air Canada Delays Boeing 767 Reentry
Flight Centre tips ‘price war’ as first direct Melbourne to LA Delta flights go on sale
FAA reverses course on meeting prohibition, blaming rogue employee
British Airways tweaks frequent flyer scheme after backlash
Delta flight from New York to Florida diverted to North Carolina due to ‘odor in the cabin’
EASA Certifies Safran’s First Electric Motor
US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
Delta to Resume Tel Aviv Flights April 1
Chicago records over one million round-trip fliers on top destinations in 2024
Policy
Webp e background  20250618t112004 264
Michael J. McMurray, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) | Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA)

In 2024, Chicago's airports, O'Hare and Midway, handled a combined total of 101.5 million passengers, with approximately 85.1 million being domestic travelers according to the US Department of Transportation. Avelo Airlines contributed to these figures by moving its operations from Midway to O'Hare.

Fifteen markets recorded over one million round-trip local passengers from Chicago, collectively amounting to 22.7 million passengers or about 62,000 daily. These local passengers exclude those who transferred flights at either end and consist only of travelers flying directly between the two cities.

O'Hare accounted for a significant portion of this traffic due to its status as the world's busiest airport for regional jet flights, representing three-quarters of the local passenger volume. Among these routes, Chicago-New York LaGuardia emerged as the most popular market with 2.63 million local passengers or roughly 7,200 people daily. O'Hare was responsible for the majority of this traffic with approximately 5,900 passengers per day.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The LaGuardia route saw operations from five airlines: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines (from O'Hare), and Southwest Airlines (from Midway). According to Cirium Diio data, they offered up to 42 daily departures on this busy route connecting two major urban centers with significant business travel demand.

Nearly all passengers (99%) opted for nonstop flights due to the relatively short distance between Chicago and New York City. The US Department of Transportation data reveals that United led in carrying local passengers with a share of 35% (913,000), followed by American at 20% (531,000), Delta at 18% (469,000), Southwest also at 18% (468,000), and Spirit at 8% (244,000).

Overall traffic between Chicago and LaGuardia reached 3.28 million last year, when including connecting travelers, 80% were local trips totaling around 2.63 million individuals, while approximately 660 thousand connected elsewhere, predominantly through O’Hare Airport itself given, its connectivity advantage over other carriers such as Southwest which lacks hubs but remains reliant upon connections.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Alaska Airlines has announced a significant expansion of its route network for 2026, with plans to introduce service to two new cities and launch 13 new or returning routes.

Oct 25, 2025

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4.

Oct 25, 2025

The Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue launched today, allowing members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points across the two carriers.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada is set to expand its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) by introducing four new nonstop routes to the United States in 2026.

Oct 25, 2025

United Airlines has announced it will add 10 new destinations from its Chicago O'Hare International Airport hub starting next year.

Oct 25, 2025

The partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue, known as Blue Sky, has officially launched.

Oct 25, 2025