Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago's main and biggest airport, is full of variety and non-stop action from 5AM till midnight. Not to mention that it was considered to be the busiest airport in the world throughout the late 80s and 90s. So hopefully this guide will give you some advice and knowledge about this wonderful airport!
Locations
Prohibited:
The airport itself: Perhaps the most obvious restriction is the airport itself. Post 9/11 security is VERY heavy at O'Hare and if you are found inside the airfield without proper credentials or access, you will be arrested, fined, and may even have jail time.
Delta and South Cargo: Probably the most infamous and well known locations around the airport is Delta/South Cargo. This location was once open but now because of the new runway configuration program at ORD and the addition of runway 28L/10R it is strictly prohibited, If you are found there without proper credentials or access, you may be arrested and fined.
Video Credits: Jays O'Hare Aviation and Planespotting HD
Gate Gourmet (Prohibited Section): When you arrive at the Gate Gourmet parking lot off of Mannheim Road you need to travel to the back of the parking lot. Just try to move as far away from the AirServ parking lot and the O'Hare maintenance lot. Although friendly, I've had not so nice encounters with AirServ security. If you chose to photograph at Gate Gourmet, try not to photograph the AirServ parking lot, the AirServ Guard House/Gate, and the Gate Gourmet building itself.
Picture Credits: http://ordairportwatch.org/Map.html
Approach Lights for 10C: When spotting over at runway 10C, it may be tempting to pull into the maintenance driveway for the approach lights for runway 10C. This is considered airport and CDA (Chicago Department of Aviation) property and you may be asked to leave. Don't worry though because this isn't the ONLY area where you can get heavies when they do west ops.
Picture Credits: http://ordairportwatch.org/Map.html
Approach Lights for 28R: Off of Scott St., a public road next to Wally Park, there's a gravel/dirt road that leads to the approach lights for runway 28R. Although offering a great view of the departures off of runways 28R and 22L, this area is considered airport, city of Chicago and CDA (Chicago Department of Aviation) property and you may be fined for trespassing and asked to leave.
Former USG Parking Lot (Wally Park): Back when this was the USG building, the parking lot was publicly accessible. Now that USG is gone and Wally Park, a parking service for travelers at ORD, the parking lot is now private property used by Wally Park as a parking lot for customers. If you somehow manage to enter the Wally Park parking lot and you are seen with a camera (or any spotting material) you will be asked to leave.
Picture Credits: http://ordairportwatch.org/Map.html
Approved:
(The Old) Aviation Universe and Bensenville Metra Station: Sadly, one of my favorite aviation shops has recently closed (as of 2016). When it was operational, Aviation Universe's building was right across from the Bensenville Metra Station. When I did go spotting there, the Aviation Universe building was pretty tall and was almost directly under the approach path for the recently built runway 10R. This would only get me a shot of the underbelly of the planes and some of a tree. So I improvised. I went across Main St. to the Bensenville Meta Station where there was a less obstructed view. This spot will only be useful when ORD is using the west flow (runways 10R, 10C, 10L, 09R, 09L, 22L).
You will need a 17-200mm lens to get close ups and the whole plane.
You will need a 17-200mm lens to get close ups and the whole plane.
Picture Credits: http://ordairportwatch.org/Map.html and Aviation Universe on instagram
Scott Street: Scott Street, a street off of Lawarnce Avenue, was the primary access road to the former USG parking lot. Now that USG has left and Wally Park has moved in, the street is now used for valet staging or taxi services. When spotting there PLEASE BE COURTEOUS and if a Wally Park employee asks you to leave, even though Scott St is a public road, be nice and don't put up a debate. This will only make the relationship between fellow spotters who use this location frequently and Wally Park worse and may put this spot in jeopardy of being lost like South Cargo did. I personally do not recommend this spot if you are able to get to other PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE spotting locations because of how much back lighting there is which will generally ruin your photos if you are relatively new to exposure and aperture. DO NOT CONTINUE PAST THE GATE AT THE END OF SCOTT STREET AND CONTINUE DOWN THE GRAVEL/DIRT ROAD TO THE APPROACH LIGHTS FOR RUNWAY 28R!!!!
You will need a 17-300mm lens for close up shots and a 17-120mm lens to capture the whole plane.
You will need a 17-300mm lens for close up shots and a 17-120mm lens to capture the whole plane.
Video Credits: Jays O'Hare Aviation and Planespotting HD
Picture Credits: http://ordairportwatch.org/Map.html
Gate Gourmet (Approved Section): When entering the Gate Gourmet, please move to the back corner of the parking lot or as far away from the AirServ gate and the O'Hare Maintenance lot. Also, refrain from photographing the AirServ parking lot, guard house/gate, and the Gate Gourmet building itself. Otherwise you will be fined. THIS LOCATION IS FOR ORD AIRPORT WATCH MEMBERS ONLY! If you would like to sigh up click here http://ordairportwatch.org/
You will need a 17-300mm lens for close ups and a 17-200mm lens for the whole airplane.
You will need a 17-300mm lens for close ups and a 17-200mm lens for the whole airplane.
Schiller Park Metra Station: This spot is publicly accessible. Be aware that there is a $1.50 parking fee (per day) and that you may get some weird looks. This spot gives a view of planes crossing over interstate 294 for runway 28C.
You will need at least a 17-300mm lens to spot here as the approach is quite high when it passes over the station about a half mile north.
You will need at least a 17-300mm lens to spot here as the approach is quite high when it passes over the station about a half mile north.
Picture Credits: http://ordairportwatch.org/Map.html
Fashion Outlets of Chicago Parking Deck: On top of the Fashion outlets of Chicago there is a parking deck that gives a great birds eye view of the field. Departures off of runway 22L, 28R, 09R and 10L can be seen really well as well as arrivals for runway 28C and 27L. Be aware that there used to be a $2 parking fee but according to their website (as of October 3rd 2016) parking is now free. Be sure to bring some cash just in case. This location also makes for an awesome shot of a heavy crossing interstate 294 with typical Chicago traffic.
You will need at least a 17-300mm lens to get a view of the field. Be aware during the summer, spring and early fall seasons there is a haze from this location so I HIGHLY suggest getting a de-haze program to post process your photos.
You will need at least a 17-300mm lens to get a view of the field. Be aware during the summer, spring and early fall seasons there is a haze from this location so I HIGHLY suggest getting a de-haze program to post process your photos.
Picture Credits: http://ordairportwatch.org/Map.html
MB Financial Park Parking Deck: There is a parking deck for the MB Financial Park that gives a great birds eye view of the field. Departures off of runway 22L, 28R, 09R and 10L can be seen really well as well as arrivals for runway 28C and 27L. Be aware that there is a pretty hefty parking fee of $15 per 24 hour period. This only means that it's $15 for a day. Although I do not know the exact price per hour, I would take at least $10 just in case. This location also makes for an awesome shot of a heavy crossing interstate 294 with typical Chicago traffic.
Picture Credits: http://ordairportwatch.org/Map.html
The Dome at the Ballpark (Chicago Bandits Stadium): The Chicago Bandits/The Dome at The Ballpark in Rosemont is a great spot for getting those narrowbody arrivals into runway 27L. Me and Grahamboaviation went here to get the United Star Alliance 757. Parking is free and it's not usually crowded. If it's crowded (because of a softball game) you could park over at the Rosemont Metra Station (which I will talk about later) and take a short walk over. When spotting I HIGHLY recommend that you continue on to the grass in between I-190 and the dome to not get obstructed views and more open space for compositions.
You will need a 17-200mm lens to spot here.
You will need a 17-200mm lens to spot here.
Picture Credits: http://ordairportwatch.org/Map.html
All pictures, unless otherwise stated, are mine.
South Wolf Road: When driving west along Toughy Ave from I-90, you will hit a stoplight with the street name being either N Wolf Rd or S Wolf Rd. You will want to take a left off of Toughy Ave and take Wolf Rd all the way down to where it dead ends and goes left. At the dead end you want to park your car as close to the end of the road as possible to not disrupt traffic going to the numerous airline cargo centers. This spot is AMAZING for runway 27R/09L arrivals. Primary narrowbodies land on this runway with the occasional widebody when it gets overflowed. Chicago PD and airport personal are quite frequent to this location. Chicago PD sometimes like to park their cars where you should so if they are there just mind your own business and park in the next available spot to where you should park. If this means parking next to them so what. You aren't breaking any laws by parking your car next to a first responder and taking pictures of planes.
You will need a 17-300mm lens for this spot (HAZE IS COMMON).
You will need a 17-300mm lens for this spot (HAZE IS COMMON).
Picture Credits: http://ordairportwatch.org/Map.html
Video credits: Multi777x
Old Higgins Road: Old Higgins Road is tucked back among warehouses so here's how to find it. When you are on Elmhurst Road from the south it will be a right hand turn and from the north it will be a left hand turn. Look for a sign that says Korner House Bar & Grill on it. It's pretty big so i'ts hard to miss. Then, once you are on Old Higgins Road, continue on it till it dead ends at the airfield. It is a dead end so park as close to the fence as possible. When you are parked, the shrubby is pretty tall so I suggest you stand through your sunroof (if you have one) or stand on top of your car if your brave enough. This spot is awesome for runway 09L arrivals. Primary narrowbodies land on this runway with the occasional widebody when it gets overflowed.
You will need a 17-200mm lens to spot here.
You will need a 17-200mm lens to spot here.
Picture Credits: http://ordairportwatch.org/Map.html
Beeline Drive: Driving on York/Elmhurst road from the north there will be a road on your right named Beeline road. Turn right on to Beeline road and then into the warehouse parking lot to the left. This spot is for runway 28R departures. This runway is almost always used for departures and the heavies depart off of it. Never have I once been approached by the warehouse staff there but if they ask you to leave for some reason, be courteous and leave. If you are really desperate to get a plane(s) going off of runway 28R my next spot will work fine also.
You will need a 17-200mm lens for this spot.
You will need a 17-200mm lens for this spot.
Photo Credits: chexp77w on instagram (quality downgraded because of instagram)
Ewing-Doherty Mechanical Parking Lot: Off of York Road from the north on your right hand side is a parking lot for a building named Ewing Doherty Mechanical. This spot is amazing for runway 10C arrivals. The runway lights (which are off limits) are just about a hundred feet away. This runway is almost always used for arrivals and is used by heavies from Europe and Asia. I have never personally experianced any problems with building staff but, like always, if they ask you to leave please be courteous.
You will need a 17-200mm lens to spot here.
You will need a 17-200mm lens to spot here.