chicago o’hare

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American, United Want Out Of Deal To Modernize Chicago O’Hare

by Gary Leff on December 2, 2023

Dec 02 2023

American Airlines and United Airlines want Chicago O’Hare’s expansion that they signed off on in 2018 slowed down – or stopped – as the project runs $1.5 billion over budget. Somehow the carriers are surprised that a massive public infrastructure project, in Chicago no less, is spending far more than originally projected?

And in fact it’s only just the ‘next phase’ where a 24% projected cost overrun totals $1.5 billion more than expected. That’s before construction on the new terminal even starts! The project’s total cost has grown from $8.7 billion to a projected $12.1 billion. So the terminal’s overrun is only one piece of an overall $3.4 billion price increase.

American Airlines’ Lounge Food Strategy: Small Plates Make Big Mess

by Gary Leff on December 1, 2023

Dec 01 2023

On arrival at the airport two days earlier I picked up a sandwich from Tortas Frontera, so I skipped it on this visit. Heading straight to the American Airlines Admirals Club it struck me just how copious the food offerings are… at Delta Sky Clubs, where you’ll find beef, chicken, salads, and sandwiches and many more options as well, all complimentary for guests.

American Airlines sells food in its Admirals Clubs and offers a much more modest spread.

Bypassing Southwest for a Premium American Airlines Connection: My Business Class Journey to Chicago

by Gary Leff on November 29, 2023

Nov 29 2023

I wouldn’t normally connect flying between Austin and Chicago but for this trip it worked out perfectly.

Fight Breaks Out At Chicago O’Hare Baggage Claim

by Gary Leff on May 23, 2023

May 23 2023

It’s not clear what started the fight, but this actually breaks out into more than one fight. It always amazes me that at a major international airport there are numerous law enforcement agencies of all kinds on premises, and cameras literally everywhere, yet no one seems to intervene.

How Chicago Unions Make O’Hare Runways Less Safe

by Gary Leff on January 2, 2023

Jan 02 2023

One City of Chicago employee had two runway incursions in a single day and thanks to union rules wasn’t even fired. Indeed, not a single one of 5 city workers who drove vehicles improperly on O’Hare runways were terminated.

Why American Airlines Isn’t Flying From Chicago To Hawaii – Or Much To Europe, Either

by Gary Leff on October 27, 2022

Oct 27 2022

United is expanding at Chicago O’Hare and increasingly American is the number two carrier there. Years ago the city had a sprawling international route network, selling flights to Moscow and Delhi. Now American’s flying from Chicago is mostly domestic.

At an internal meeting earlier in the month led by Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja, an employee asked about the draw down in Chicago flying and in particular why American isn’t flying from Chicago to Hawaii.

Why Tortas Frontera Is Great, And Other Airport Restaurants Are So Bad

by Gary Leff on August 17, 2022

Aug 17 2022

I don’t love Chicago O’Hare, but when I book an O’Hare connection I usually think, “at least I can get Tortas Frontera.” And I’ll pick up a sandwich (choriqueso is my go-to, followed by the pepito) even though there’s free lounge food available. I’ll gladly pay for something good enough that I would eat it even if it wasn’t inside of an airport.

There need to be some licensed TGI Fridays and plenty of quick serve places in an airport, to put out a lot of food to travelers with varying palates. But not every place needs to do that.

American Airlines Targets Spring Re-Opening Of Dallas And Chicago Flagship Lounges

by Gary Leff on January 31, 2022

Jan 31 2022

American Airlines has re-opened its Flagship business class lounges at New York JFK, Miami and Los Angeles. Flagship First Dining for long haul first class passengers has reopened at JFK and Miami. However the lounges in Dallas and Chicago remain closed.

Fortunately American Airlines is now talking up a target for their re-opening.

United Passenger Stuck At Chicago O’Hare Has Epic Overnight Adventure

by Gary Leff on December 4, 2021

Dec 04 2021

One man lived inside Chicago O’Hare for three months. Like a Richard Linklater film though, Allison Robicelli had just one night, and she made the most of it.

Man Acquitted After Spending Three Months Living In Chicago O’Hare Airport

by Gary Leff on October 27, 2021

Oct 27 2021

He spent October 19, 2020 – January 16, 2021 in the airport because he was afraid of Covid-19. He had flown to O’Hare but didn’t continue onto India as he’d planned. He relied on the kindess of strangers who picked up meals for him, and he talked to passengers about Buddhism and Hinduism.

The man was charged with felony criminal trespass for his time in a restricted area of an airport. And he’s now been acquitted, without having to submit a defense.