5/ 5 reviews
Easy in & out
“I’ve flown in and out of both Chicago airports more times than I can count, and Midway wins every single time.”
Jonathan Foulk5★ on Google
Airports / Illinois / MDW
Large airport · MDW
Chicago Midway International Airport.
Chicago, Illinois · 620 ft elevation. 2 charter operators based here.
3.9/5
Google rating
7,635 ratings
2
Operators based
620
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
Chicago, IllinoisELEV 620 FTLarge airportScheduled service
3.9
Google rating
7,635
Google reviews
ratings on Google
2
Based operators
charter operators on the field
2
FBOs on field
ramp, fuel and handling
620
Field elevation
feet above sea level
Field standing
2 operators
Charter fleet based on the field
More resident charter operators than 58% of the 651 US fields with a based fleet on the register.
13 nm
To the nearest alternate
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), 6 fields within 50 nm.
Overview
Chicago Midway International Airport, listed as KMDW / MDW, is a large commercial airport in Chicago, Illinois. The airport sits 620 feet above sea level. Alongside scheduled airline service, the airport handles a steady flow of private and charter traffic.
The airport anchors local charter capacity, AeroCare Air Ambulance & Medevac Service, Inc. and Blue Skies Aircraft Services, LLC are based here. When weather or ramp space demands it, nearby options are Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD, 13 nm), Gary Chicago International Airport (GYY, 18 nm), and Chicago Executive Airport (PWK, 21 nm). With 4 runways, the longest 6,522-foot paved runway, MDW can typically accommodate aircraft as large as VIP airliners.
Planning a trip? The Chicago, IL destination guide covers routes, aircraft options, and what to expect on the ground. In directories and search listings it also appears under CHI. Compare rated operators or run a route through the cost estimator to gauge pricing from Chicago.
2 FBOs serve KMDW. Run one? Become the preferred FBO
Ramp services
FBOs on the field
Atlantic Aviation Chicago
Your FBO? Claim it, freeFrom the moment of arrival at Atlantic Aviation MDW, we ensure a premium experience. From our knowledgeable staff to our beautiful, recently renovated facility, we are the FBO that can serve all your aircraft needs.
- Fuel
- Hangar
- Mon-Sun: 24 Hours
- Unicom 131.425
- Executive lounge
- Customs
- Conference room
- Wi-Fi
- Cafe
- Vending
- Courtesy car
- Shuttle
- +15 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address
Signature Flight Support Chicago Midway Int'l
Your FBO? Claim it, freeAccording to one story, Chicago didn't get its nickname "Windy City" from the gusty weather. The name was coined more than 100 years ago by a visiting reporter who noticed Chicagoans couldn't stop boasting about their town. Residents can still brag about their city, considered one of the most successful metropolitan areas in the United States.
- Fuel
- Hangar
- 24/7
- Unicom 128.925
- Executive lounge
- Customs
- Conference room
- Wi-Fi
- Cafe
- Vending
- Car rental
- Wheelchair access
- +18 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address
Directory data, unpaid. FBOs can take the Preferred slot above.
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
3/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“From the moment our group arrived, everything was well organized, clean, and easy to navigate.”
Delilah Soliz5★ on Google
2/ 5 reviews
Staff & service
“Our students enjoyed exploring the airport while waiting for our flight, and everything felt safe and welcoming.”
Delilah Soliz5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Chicago Midway International Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
KMDW
IATA
MDW
FAA / Local
MDW
Elevation
620 ft
Coordinates
41.7860° N · 87.7524° W
Airspace
C · CharlieClass C, CharlieRadar-controlled airspace around mid-size hubs. Aircraft must be in two-way radio contact and squawking a transponder while approach control sequences arrivals.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Large
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs IL fields
state range 321–871 ft
At 620 ft, MDW sits lower than 53% of the 51 Illinois fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
4 runways
longest 6,522 ft
- 13L/31R6,522 ft × 150 ftConcreteLighted
- 04R/22L6,445 ft × 150 ftAsphaltLighted
- 04L/22R5,507 ft × 150 ftAsphaltLighted
- 13R/31L3,859 ft × 60 ftConcreteLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 6,522 ft
MDW's 6,522 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Based charter operators2
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 13nmORDChicago O'Hare International AirportChicago
- 18nmGYYGary Chicago International AirportGary
- 21nmPWKChicago Executive AirportChicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling
- 23nmDPADupage AirportChicago/West Chicago
- 39nmVPZPorter County Municipal AirportValparaiso
- 42nmMGCMichigan City Municipal AirportMichigan City
Destinations served
Location
Open the full mapKMDW · Chicago Midway International Airport · Chicago, IL
From the ramp
Google Places photography of Chicago Midway International Airport, tap any frame to view full-screen, then cycle with the arrows or your keyboard.
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from MDW on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville (BNA) | 344 nm | 1h 12m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 501 nm | 1h 34m |
| New York (TEB) | 619 nm | 1h 50m |
| Dallas (DAL) | 690 nm | 2h 0m |
| Boston (BED) | 733 nm | 2h 6m |
| Denver (DEN) | 776 nm | 2h 12m |
| Houston (HOU) | 815 nm | 2h 18m |
| Austin (AUS) | 845 nm | 2h 22m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use MDW?
- Chicago Midway International Airport's longest paved runway is 6,522 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at MDW?
- Chicago Midway International Airport has 4 runways; the longest measures 6,522 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Are there charter operators based at MDW?
- Yes. 2 charter operators list Chicago Midway International Airport as a home base, including AeroCare Air Ambulance & Medevac Service, Inc., Blue Skies Aircraft Services, LLC. You can also request quotes from operators that reposition aircraft into the field.
- Which FBOs are at Chicago Midway International Airport?
- 2 FBOs serve MDW: Atlantic Aviation Chicago and Signature Flight Support Chicago Midway Int'l. Phone, website, hours, unicom and services for each are listed on this page. Call ahead for fuel, ramp space, and ground handling.
- What is the nearest major airport to MDW?
- The closest alternate is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), about 13 nm away, followed by Gary Chicago International Airport (GYY) at 18 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from MDW to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Nashville about 1h 12m (344 nm), Washington DC about 1h 34m (501 nm), New York about 1h 50m (619 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.