Chicago O'Hare International Airport
| Continent: North America | Country: United States | Region: Illinois |
| Chicago O'Hare International Airport | |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois |
| IATA code | ORD |
| ICAO code | KORD |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | http://www.flychicago.com/ohare/en/home/Pages/default.aspx |
| Overview map | Google Maps |
| Communications | |
| Tower | 120.75(south) 126.9(north) 128.15(far north) 127.925 132.7 |
| Ground | 121.675(metering) 121.75(outbound) 121.9(inbound) 124.125 |
| Clearance | 119.25 121.6 |
| Approach | 119.0 128.45 121.15 124.35 125.7 133.625 |
| Departure | 125.0 125.4 126.625 |
| ATIS | 135.4 |
| Departure | 122.95 |
| Plane Spotting Hotels guide | |
Official Spotting Locations
There no official spotting locations. All non-official spotting locations are checked by airport security, Aviation Police or Police patrols.
Other Spotting Locations
USG Parking Area
The main spotting location is located at the USG Corporation on Scott St. which is close to the intersection of Mannheim Rd (US12/US45) and Lawrence Ave. You can park in their parking lot if it is the weekend but when the building is open you should park on the street. From here there is nice view of the south part of the airport and a full view of runways 28, 27L ,27R and 22L glidepaths. Also thru fences, taxiways Delta, Mike and Quebec are visible when aircraft are taxiing to Rwy. 22L for departure. To take photos of runway 28 operations, 80mm and larger lenses will work OK. This is a good spotting place all day when wind is coming from the west, southwest or northwest. The parking lot is in Schiller Park, but Scott Street is in Chicago as is Mannheim Rd which are both considered in the airport area. DO NOT continue far north on Scott Street past the red warning signs, or the aviation police will come and could confiscate your photo equipment or you could even be arrested for trespassing on airport property.
Also you can take some shots from Hwy I-294 heading southbound directly under glidepath to Rwy 28 at your own risk (as we know 2 hrs standing limit)
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large
Balmoral Avenue
When driving on north on Mannheim Rd take the exit to Balmoral Ave east. Pass the first stop sign and bridge over railroad, turn right twice and park at the Rosemont Metra Station parking lot. You may need to buy a ticket at pay station (sometimes Metra people or Rosemont police can check tickets, except on weekends, when the train is not operating) and go on the bridge. There is a nice view from the bridge, however you will need a camera that has a min. of a 300mm lens to get any decent photos. This is a great place to take pictures of taxiing aircraft to/from Rwy 22L or aircraft approaching Rwy 28 (summertime early morning).
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large
Cell Phone Lot
Off of Mannheim Road south of Higgins/Touhy is the Airport's "Cell Phone Lot. You may park in this lot for free as long as you do not leave your vehicle unattended. There is an electronic arrivals board as well as an outhouse for emergency relief. Gives a nice view of approaches to 27R and 27L or departures from 9L and 9R.
Allstate Arena
The next good location is Allstate Arena area located at Mannheim Rd(US-12/US-45) between Higgins Rd (IL-72) and Touhy Ave. Full view of Rwy 22R all day (different places depend on where the sun is). From 9-10 am in the morning till 2-3pm a good place is the small parking lot opposite car wash just across Mannheim Rd.
In the summer, Sundays on the south side of Allstate Arena building is a flea market. You can walk between sellers, look for some good views and take shots. In wintertime, access to the parking is closed.
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large
In afternoons, a good place is a huge parking lot between Target store and Touhy Ave (closer to Touhy).
In late afternoons a good place is the back of the Allstate Arena parking lot close to Hwy I-90
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large
Also in this area you can find a spot to see arrivals at new Rwy 27R.
Beeline Road
Runway 10 operations can easily be seen from Beeline road in Bensonville. You can park on the side of the road and watch with no problems. This location is likely the closest you can get to landing planes as they come only a few hundred feet directly above the road. General photography isn't the best here though as you can only get direct head on shots of planes. As already said aircraft pass directly over the road so would only be able to see the bottom of the aircraft.
- Flickr sample photo
14R/32L Spotting
On the west side of the airport is York Rd/Elmhurst Rd which has several places where one can take photos. First is the Thorntons gas station area which is a good place to take shots of aircraft climbing out from Rwy 32L and approaching Rwy 14R, mainly in the afternoon. Likely in the next year this runway will be demolished.
Early mornings at sunrise you can stop at a small construction area with separated parking (with an orange fence around) north of Devon Ave heading north at east side. Approaching aircraft to Rwy 14R are clearly visible.
Departure 32L
Arrival 14R
Arrivals/departures at Rwy 14L/32R Drive east on Touhy/Higgins, after crossing the railroad turn right at Mt Prospect Road towards employees airport gate. After 50-100 feet turn right on a small circle. A good place to take some shots , but sometimes Aviation Police can be there. This Rwy also will be closed in about two three years.
The best way to get around is a car. Without a car you can get one maybe two places but you'll never know the wind direction even if you check METAR.
On summertime afternoons a good place is an abandoned fast food restaurant near Foster Ave.
Rwy 10 arrivals and 28 departures are visible from both locations.
Irving Park Road
A good place to take photos of aircraft arriving on 4R or departing from 22L is from an airline cargo facility right off of Irving park road. When driving from the west on Irving Pk take a left on to seymour ave then then another quick left at the first lot entrance after the small curve in the road. Drive all the way down the road and then park in one of the spaces. Arrivals at 4R and 22L departures are clearly visible.
Locations to Avoid
Cargo South
Avoid the South Cargo Area. Aviation and Chicago Police frequent the area and sometimes you can meet an FBI patrol.
West end
At west end avoid private property between the manufacturers' shops. Also try to not block traffic on all streets around the airport.
Do not go near the hill that construction near runway 10 has created as it is airport property. If you are seen near or on the hill, you will be charged with trespassing on airport property, government property, and railroad property. This is a serious offense, do not go here as was stated before!
Higgins/Mannheim
Avoid the area around the General Aviation ramp near the North Cargo area.
Cemetery
You can still go to St. Johannes Cemetery to watch planes on 10/28 or see the Fedex ramp from very close however if you are seen with a camera the police will tell you you can't take pictures and they may ask you to leave.
Regular Traffic
Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz, Air Choice One, Air France, Air India, Alaska Airlines, All Nippon, American Airlines, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Cayman Airways, Copa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Etihad Airways, Iberia Airlines, Japan Airlines, JetBlue, KLM Royal Dutch, Korean Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Royal Jordanian, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Spirit Airlines, SWISS, TACA Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, Virgin America, and Virgin Atlantic Airways.
Facilities and Transportation
There is a Metro station (Blue Line) that will take you from the airport to downtown Chicago.
Hotels
There is a Hilton Hotel located on the airport.
Runway Usage
Here are some of the usual runway usage patterns.
Wind from the west - The optimal and preferred runway pattern for O'Hare when the winds are blowing in any direction under about 6mph or from the west is as follows. Arrivals use runways 28, 27L, and 27R and departures use 22L and 32L. Large aircraft such as A340s and 747s may depart from 28 depending on their weight.
Wind from the east - Arrivals use runways 10 and 4R and departures use runways 9R and 4L. If a lot of planes become stacked up in the air 9R will temporarily become a arrival runway.
Wind from the south - Runways 14R and 22R are used for arrivals and runways 14L and 22L are used for departures. Runway 10 also may be used for arrivals and heavy departures if the wind speed is not very high.
A good website to see a wind forecast for the airport is here.