O'Hare Taxi Times Lead Nation Despite Traffic Surge
Chicago's airport recorded more than 25 million passengers this summer while reporting the nation's longest aircraft taxi times.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Air Travel
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O'Hare recorded more than 25 million passengers from June through August 2026, with 245,719 takeoffs and landings during the summer, up 6% from the same period last year. A July WGN Investigates report found the airport has the nation's longest aircraft taxi times.
Why it matters
The combination of record traffic growth and long taxi times affects how quickly travelers reach their destinations and how efficiently the airport can handle flights. Ongoing construction and rapid growth in aircraft operations have contributed to the congestion.
Roughly one in six departing flights at O'Hare spent more than 40 minutes taxiing, and United Airlines says average taxi-out time is at its lowest level in more than a year, though the source does not provide a comparable figure for the period before that.
The players
United Airlines
United Airlines is a major carrier operating a large share of flights at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and it reports that its taxi-out times have improved.
Chicago Department of Aviation
The Chicago Department of Aviation operates O'Hare and oversees its runway, taxiway and gate expansion projects, including the planned ORDNext program.
WGN Investigates
WGN Investigates is the investigative unit of Chicago television station WGN, which published the July report identifying O'Hare as having the nation's longest taxi times.
The details
United Airlines credits favorable weather, peak-time flight reductions and new taxiway connections near Terminal 2 for the lower taxi times. Taxi times are shaped by airline schedules, air traffic control staffing, gate availability, weather and runway distances, and the Chicago Department of Aviation says major runway and taxiway construction affecting taxi times is now complete.
Timeline
June through August 2026: O'Hare records more than 25 million passengers during the summer period.
July 2026: WGN Investigates publishes its report on O'Hare's taxi times.
March 2026: Taxi-in times reach their lowest level since this month, according to United Airlines.
Travel Outlook
O'Hare's taxi delays reflect the strain of its 10.3% growth in aircraft operations through August, a pace the ORDNext expansion of gates is intended to absorb. Travelers planning summer routes through Chicago should expect congestion to remain tied to construction timelines and peak-period scheduling.
Travelers connecting through O'Hare should allow extra time between gate departure and takeoff, since departing flights averaged more than 28 minutes of taxiing. Booking earlier-morning or off-peak departures may help avoid some of the longest taxi delays.
The takeaway
O'Hare's taxi challenges come from its growth and construction, not a single failure, so flexibility in planning connections is the most practical safeguard. Monitoring airline updates on taxi-out performance can help travelers judge when delays are easing.
Further reading
For broader context on flight delays and airport operations, explore more Air Travel coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
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