MDWKMDWMinor

Chicago Midway International Airport

Chicago, United States · North America

Compact Southwest-dominated city airport with excellent CTA Orange Line access and a real Priority Pass lounge, traded against bank crowds and weak on-time reliability.

Airportist Score

7.4/ 10

Solid

Ease of use8.2
Comfort & amenities7.0
Food & retail7.4
Ground access8.8
Reliability5.4
Lounges6.8

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare MDW with another airport

Arrive
90–120 min
at peak times
Typical security
18 min
editorial average, not live
Fastest to city
20–45 min
Uber / Lyft / rideshare
Cheapest to city
CTA Orange Line
$ · 20–25 min
Lounges
3
2 rated worth it
On time
69%
of departures

All airports

MDWKMDWMinor21°C / 70°F

Chicago Midway International Airport

Chicago, United States · North America

Compact Southwest-dominated city airport with excellent CTA Orange Line access and a real Priority Pass lounge, traded against bank crowds and weak on-time reliability.

Airportist Score

7.4/ 10

Solid

Ease of use8.2
Comfort & amenities7.0
Food & retail7.4
Ground access8.8
Reliability5.4
Lounges6.8

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare MDW with another airport

8 photos

Check-in hall at Chicago Midway International Airport with Southwest ticket counters

Exterior view of Chicago Midway International Airport terminal buildings

Chicago Midway International Airport terminal and curbfront area

Southwest Airlines aircraft parked at Midway gates along the airside concourse

Southwest jets queued for departure on Midway’s airfield

Final approach into Chicago Midway with Cicero Avenue and the compact mile-square airfield ahead

Aerial view of Chicago Midway International Airport looking southwest from Willis Tower

Aerial overview of Chicago Midway Airport terminals and surrounding southwest-side neighborhoods

MDWGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Beat Southwest banks or pay in stress

Arrive 90–120 minutes early for morning and late-afternoon Southwest banks; off-peak security is often quick in this single-checkpoint layout.

PreCheck/CLEAR help; live TSA waits on the CDA site/app. Orange Line does not run overnight—plan owl bus N62 or rideshare for red-eyes.

Terminal

One building, three short concourses

After security, Central Market feeds A (south), B (west), and tiny C (north)—no trains, no people-movers, just walking.

International arrivals use FIS on A; connecting to a domestic departure usually means re-clearing security—budget time.

Food

Eat at Central Market, not the gate stub

Hit Central Market / Concourse A food hall for Chicago-flavored spots instead of settling for the nearest gate snack case.

Midway Partnership refresh brought stronger local brands airside; landside options are thinner—eat after screening when you can.

Status

One real lounge, not a lounge campus

Priority Pass / LoungeKey / $50 walk-up day pass for The Club MDW; no airline clubs and no Centurion/Chase Sapphire Lounge here.

Priority Pass lists The Club (~04:00–22:00 most days; Saturday often to 20:00 on PP) and Gameway on A (gaming hour, not a quiet club).

Live conditions

Right now at MDW

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Southwest flyers who want Chicago without O’Hare sprawl
Downtown trips via the CTA Orange Line
Priority Pass holders using The Club MDW
Short domestic connections inside one security zone

Watch out for

Southwest departure banks crowding security and holdrooms
H1 2026 on-time performance near 69% (BTS) — pad connections
Orange Line is not overnight; owl bus or rideshare for red-eyes
No airline clubs; Gameway is entertainment, not a quiet lounge

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

8.2

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.0

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.4

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

8.8

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

5.4

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

6.8

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

19.4M

Terminals

1 terminal (3 concourses A/B/C)

On-time departures

69%

Typical security

18 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for MDW.

Updated Sep 9, 2026

Single terminal with three airside concourses (A/B/C, ~43 gates); one security zone
Southwest fortress (~90%+ of passengers); also Frontier, Delta, Volaris, Allegiant and seasonal ULCC metal
~19.4M passengers in 2025 (CDA ACFR); Chicago’s closer-in alternative to O’Hare
CTA Orange Line station connected by enclosed walkway — ~20–25 min / $2.50 to the Loop
The Club MDW (Central Market) is Midway’s first shared-use lounge (opened Sep 2024); Priority Pass + $50 day pass
Compact and walkable, but Southwest banks and a weak H1 2026 on-time rate (~69% BTS) punish late buffers

10 official sources

Full guide

Explore the MDW guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Alternatives

Nearby airports

Passenger airports within about 150 km. Scored airports show their Airportist Score so you can weigh a switch.

Compare MDW vs ORD

MDWGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Beat Southwest banks or pay in stress

Arrive 90–120 minutes early for morning and late-afternoon Southwest banks; off-peak security is often quick in this single-checkpoint layout.

PreCheck/CLEAR help; live TSA waits on the CDA site/app. Orange Line does not run overnight—plan owl bus N62 or rideshare for red-eyes.

Terminal

One building, three short concourses

After security, Central Market feeds A (south), B (west), and tiny C (north)—no trains, no people-movers, just walking.

International arrivals use FIS on A; connecting to a domestic departure usually means re-clearing security—budget time.

Food

Eat at Central Market, not the gate stub

Hit Central Market / Concourse A food hall for Chicago-flavored spots instead of settling for the nearest gate snack case.

Midway Partnership refresh brought stronger local brands airside; landside options are thinner—eat after screening when you can.

Status

One real lounge, not a lounge campus

Priority Pass / LoungeKey / $50 walk-up day pass for The Club MDW; no airline clubs and no Centurion/Chase Sapphire Lounge here.

Priority Pass lists The Club (~04:00–22:00 most days; Saturday often to 20:00 on PP) and Gameway on A (gaming hour, not a quiet club).

Live conditions

Right now at MDW

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Southwest flyers who want Chicago without O’Hare sprawl
Downtown trips via the CTA Orange Line
Priority Pass holders using The Club MDW
Short domestic connections inside one security zone

Watch out for

Southwest departure banks crowding security and holdrooms
H1 2026 on-time performance near 69% (BTS) — pad connections
Orange Line is not overnight; owl bus or rideshare for red-eyes
No airline clubs; Gameway is entertainment, not a quiet lounge

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

8.2

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.0

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.4

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

8.8

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

5.4

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

6.8

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

19.4M

Terminals

1 terminal (3 concourses A/B/C)

On-time departures

69%

Typical security

18 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for MDW.

Updated Sep 9, 2026

Single terminal with three airside concourses (A/B/C, ~43 gates); one security zone
Southwest fortress (~90%+ of passengers); also Frontier, Delta, Volaris, Allegiant and seasonal ULCC metal
~19.4M passengers in 2025 (CDA ACFR); Chicago’s closer-in alternative to O’Hare
CTA Orange Line station connected by enclosed walkway — ~20–25 min / $2.50 to the Loop
The Club MDW (Central Market) is Midway’s first shared-use lounge (opened Sep 2024); Priority Pass + $50 day pass
Compact and walkable, but Southwest banks and a weak H1 2026 on-time rate (~69% BTS) punish late buffers

10 official sources

Full guide

Explore the MDW guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

MDWGuide

Unlock Disruptions

Disruptions is for HonestAirport Pro. $8/month unlocks the extra airport tabs and every lounge page. Cancel anytime — access ends when Pro ends.

Subscribe — $8/month Already have Pro?

MDWGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Beat Southwest banks or pay in stress

Arrive 90–120 minutes early for morning and late-afternoon Southwest banks; off-peak security is often quick in this single-checkpoint layout.

PreCheck/CLEAR help; live TSA waits on the CDA site/app. Orange Line does not run overnight—plan owl bus N62 or rideshare for red-eyes.

Terminal

One building, three short concourses

After security, Central Market feeds A (south), B (west), and tiny C (north)—no trains, no people-movers, just walking.

International arrivals use FIS on A; connecting to a domestic departure usually means re-clearing security—budget time.

Food

Eat at Central Market, not the gate stub

Hit Central Market / Concourse A food hall for Chicago-flavored spots instead of settling for the nearest gate snack case.

Midway Partnership refresh brought stronger local brands airside; landside options are thinner—eat after screening when you can.

Status

One real lounge, not a lounge campus

Priority Pass / LoungeKey / $50 walk-up day pass for The Club MDW; no airline clubs and no Centurion/Chase Sapphire Lounge here.

Priority Pass lists The Club (~04:00–22:00 most days; Saturday often to 20:00 on PP) and Gameway on A (gaming hour, not a quiet club).

Live conditions

Right now at MDW

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Southwest flyers who want Chicago without O’Hare sprawl
Downtown trips via the CTA Orange Line
Priority Pass holders using The Club MDW
Short domestic connections inside one security zone

Watch out for

Southwest departure banks crowding security and holdrooms
H1 2026 on-time performance near 69% (BTS) — pad connections
Orange Line is not overnight; owl bus or rideshare for red-eyes
No airline clubs; Gameway is entertainment, not a quiet lounge

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

8.2

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.0

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.4

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

8.8

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

5.4

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

6.8

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

19.4M

Terminals

1 terminal (3 concourses A/B/C)

On-time departures

69%

Typical security

18 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for MDW.

Updated Sep 9, 2026

Single terminal with three airside concourses (A/B/C, ~43 gates); one security zone
Southwest fortress (~90%+ of passengers); also Frontier, Delta, Volaris, Allegiant and seasonal ULCC metal
~19.4M passengers in 2025 (CDA ACFR); Chicago’s closer-in alternative to O’Hare
CTA Orange Line station connected by enclosed walkway — ~20–25 min / $2.50 to the Loop
The Club MDW (Central Market) is Midway’s first shared-use lounge (opened Sep 2024); Priority Pass + $50 day pass
Compact and walkable, but Southwest banks and a weak H1 2026 on-time rate (~69% BTS) punish late buffers

10 official sources

Full guide

Explore the MDW guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

MDWGuide

Unlock Disruptions

Disruptions is for HonestAirport Pro. $8/month unlocks the extra airport tabs and every lounge page. Cancel anytime — access ends when Pro ends.

Subscribe — $8/month Already have Pro?

MDWGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Beat Southwest banks or pay in stress

Arrive 90–120 minutes early for morning and late-afternoon Southwest banks; off-peak security is often quick in this single-checkpoint layout.

PreCheck/CLEAR help; live TSA waits on the CDA site/app. Orange Line does not run overnight—plan owl bus N62 or rideshare for red-eyes.

Terminal

One building, three short concourses

After security, Central Market feeds A (south), B (west), and tiny C (north)—no trains, no people-movers, just walking.

International arrivals use FIS on A; connecting to a domestic departure usually means re-clearing security—budget time.

Food

Eat at Central Market, not the gate stub

Hit Central Market / Concourse A food hall for Chicago-flavored spots instead of settling for the nearest gate snack case.

Midway Partnership refresh brought stronger local brands airside; landside options are thinner—eat after screening when you can.

Status

One real lounge, not a lounge campus

Priority Pass / LoungeKey / $50 walk-up day pass for The Club MDW; no airline clubs and no Centurion/Chase Sapphire Lounge here.

Priority Pass lists The Club (~04:00–22:00 most days; Saturday often to 20:00 on PP) and Gameway on A (gaming hour, not a quiet club).

Live conditions

Right now at MDW

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Delays reported

Operational issue

Weather: Rain and gusty winds.

Status update: 07:12 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 9, 12:14 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Southwest flyers who want Chicago without O’Hare sprawl
Downtown trips via the CTA Orange Line
Priority Pass holders using The Club MDW
Short domestic connections inside one security zone

Watch out for

Southwest departure banks crowding security and holdrooms
H1 2026 on-time performance near 69% (BTS) — pad connections
Orange Line is not overnight; owl bus or rideshare for red-eyes
No airline clubs; Gameway is entertainment, not a quiet lounge

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

8.2

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.0

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.4

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

8.8

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

5.4

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

6.8

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

19.4M

Terminals

1 terminal (3 concourses A/B/C)

On-time departures

69%

Typical security

18 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for MDW.

Updated Sep 9, 2026

Single terminal with three airside concourses (A/B/C, ~43 gates); one security zone
Southwest fortress (~90%+ of passengers); also Frontier, Delta, Volaris, Allegiant and seasonal ULCC metal
~19.4M passengers in 2025 (CDA ACFR); Chicago’s closer-in alternative to O’Hare
CTA Orange Line station connected by enclosed walkway — ~20–25 min / $2.50 to the Loop
The Club MDW (Central Market) is Midway’s first shared-use lounge (opened Sep 2024); Priority Pass + $50 day pass
Compact and walkable, but Southwest banks and a weak H1 2026 on-time rate (~69% BTS) punish late buffers

10 official sources

Full guide

Explore the MDW guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Know before you go

Right now at MDW

Who this airport works for

Why this score

Explore the MDW guide

Getting There

Lounges

Traveler Tips

Amenities

Water

Reviews

Nearby airports

Know before you go

Right now at MDW

Who this airport works for

Why this score

Explore the MDW guide

Getting There

Lounges

Traveler Tips

Amenities

Water

Reviews

Unlock Disruptions

Know before you go

Right now at MDW

Who this airport works for

Why this score

Explore the MDW guide

Getting There

Lounges

Traveler Tips

Amenities

Water

Reviews

Nearby airports

Unlock Disruptions

Unlock Disruptions

Know before you go

Right now at MDW

Who this airport works for

Why this score

Explore the MDW guide

Getting There

Lounges

Traveler Tips

Amenities

Water

Reviews

Unlock Disruptions