Exciting news is unfolding at O'Hare International Airport! Recently unveiled renderings and a captivating fly-through video (available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf4HkNLCxPA) showcase the upcoming Concourse D, which signifies a significant milestone as the first notable expansion since the completion of Terminal 5 in 2023. This expansion is an integral part of the broader ORDNext initiative and is projected to reach completion by 2028.
Designed collaboratively by renowned firms including SOM, Ross Barney, Arup, and JGMA, Concourse D will be situated to the southwest of the existing Concourse C, connected by a futuristic elevated tunnel. At the heart of this concourse will be The Orchard, a spacious circular area that spans 30,000 square feet and will feature a variety of amenities such as lounges, dining options, retail stores, and comfortable seating areas. This concept draws inspiration from the airport’s historical roots and its original designation as Orchard Field.
Spanning an impressive 580,000 square feet, the new structure will boast 19 versatile gates that can accommodate aircraft of various sizes, including the large wide-body jets used for international flights. Additionally, Concourse D is designed to handle international arrivals with a dedicated suspended sterile corridor that will lead travelers to a newly established passport control center, which is set to be completed later in the overall project timeline.
Visually striking, the concourse will feature soaring 40-foot ceilings supported by innovative branching columns that echo the theme of an orchard. An expansive wall of windows at the southern end will offer breathtaking views of the city skyline to the east. Furthermore, plans are in place for an underground tunnel connection to the new Global Terminal and Concourse E, enhancing accessibility for travelers.
The ORDNext project aims to enhance gate capacity by 14 percent at a pivotal moment in O'Hare's evolution, particularly as the airport recently regained its status as the busiest in the nation, with a staggering 857,300 aircraft movements recorded in 2025. This expansion is especially timely considering the intensifying competition between United and American Airlines, both of which have recently acquired gates from Spirit Airlines, further fueling the rivalry at this key hub.
Construction commenced in early 2025 with preliminary site work, utility installations, and tunneling activities already underway. Vertical construction is anticipated to begin shortly, with all necessary equipment currently on-site. In addition, it is noteworthy that O'Hare is poised to award the largest concessions contract in the country this coming March, which will encompass 110 commercial spaces across Terminals 1 and 3.
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