Our Review of Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)

Our Review of Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

 

Pros and Cons of Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)

PROS

Location: Midway Airport is located on the city’s southwest side, 8 miles (13 km) from Chicago’s Loop, making it conveniently accessible for those traveling to and from the city. It’s a popular alternative for individuals who want easy access to Chicago’s attractions.

Hub: Midway Airport is a hub base for Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

Efficiency: Because it is smaller in comparison to O’Hare, Midway is noted for faster check-in and security procedures, allowing travelers to move through the airport quickly, particularly during off-peak hours.

Lost and Found: Several groups at Midway International Airport manage lost and found items. When seeking to find a missing object, contact the organization nearest to where it was last seen.

Southwest connectivity: MDW is a significant hub for Southwest Airlines, which offers a variety of domestic travel options at reasonable prices. The airport has several direct flights to prominent US locations.

Compact Layout: The airport’s small layout makes it simple to manage, with lower walking distances between gates, check-in desks, and baggage claim. This is especially useful for families and tourists with close flight connections.

Mother’s Room: The Mother’s Room was designed exclusively for traveling and nursing moms. The room provides a quiet location for women who want to nurse their children in a private setting. The room has comfortable chairs, a sink, and a wash area. There is also a wall-mounted television in the room.

 

CONS

Seasonal Overcrowding: While MDW is usually efficient, it can get crowded during peak travel times, resulting in lengthier security and check-in lines and more congested terminal areas.

Parking Costs: While there are various parking choices available, the parking fees can be relatively high, especially for long-term parking, which may be a concern for budget-conscious passengers.

Terminal Congestion: During peak travel periods, the concourses and gate areas of the single terminal may seem tight, resulting in a less pleasant experience.

Limited Seating: During busy hours, finding a vacant seat in the terminal, particularly near the gates, might be difficult. This may be problematic for travelers who need to relax or work while waiting for their flights.

Weather-Related Delays:  Chicago’s weather may be unpredictable, and Midway’s smaller size and runway can make it more prone to delays and cancellations. This might cause problems while travelling during severe weather conditions.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

There is a Single Terminal: Midway Airport has one main terminal with three concourses (A, B, and C). Because all concourses are connected within the same terminal, moving from one gate to another is usually simple and quick. To save needless walking, ensure that you know your gate number ahead of time.

Transport to and from Chicago: MDW is well-connected to downtown Chicago and the surrounding areas by a variety of modes of transportation, including buses and trains. The CTA Orange Line is a popular and dependable option that provides direct access to the Loop. Alternatively, cabs, rideshares, and shuttle services are easily accessible outside the terminal.

Check-in Areas: The check-in counters at Midway are on the upper level of the terminal. As you approach the airport, you will see check-in spaces organized by airline, with clear signage directing you to your airline’s counter. Security checkpoints are positioned past the check-in area and provide access to all concourses.

Amenities: Midway has a variety of food and shopping points across the terminal. While the alternatives may be restricted in comparison to larger airports, there is still a good selection of fast food, casual dining, and grab-and-go options.

Family-Friendly Amenities: MDW has family-friendly features such as nursing rooms, family toilets, and children’s play spaces. These features make traveling with children a little easier and more comfortable.

Additional Tips:

• Arrive Early During Peak Times: It is suggested that you arrive at least 2 hours before your domestic flight to allow for check-in, security, and any potential delays.

• Wi-Fi and Charging Stations: Midway has free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, allowing you to stay connected while you wait for your trip. Charging outlets are accessible in most seating areas near  the gates, so you may keep your gadgets charged before boarding.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

• On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
• Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
• Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
• Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
• Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation

Some Stats

Annual Passengers Evolution

Airlines with more flight operations (last 3 months)

Airlines with best on-time performance at Chicago Midway Airport (last 3 months)

Routes with more flights from Chicago Midway Airport (last month)