Chicago’s new Aviation commissioner vowed Thursday to use more than 110 new concession contracts to transform the often frustrating passenger experience at O’Hare Airport.
With 167 respondents vying for one of the biggest bundles of concession contracts ever awarded by a U.S. airport, Michael McMurray wants to seize the opportunity to enhance connectivity and innovation at O’Hare.
- More charging stations to enhance connectivity, speedier biometric screening and technology-driven retail.
- Children’s play areas to occupy kids going stir crazy during delays, and a maybe a few holes of miniature golf or a virtual driving range to occupy mom and dad.
- A heavy emphasis on comfort and wellness with quiet zones, sleep pods and sensory rooms.
The goal, McMurray said, is to turn an often aggravating experience into a pleasant one where time flies even during delays.
“We really want to push the envelope,” McMurray said Thursday. “Let’s see what’s out there — innovative — that will enhance the passenger experience and make people want to use our airports.”
“It could be a host of different things. Some ideas don’t necessarily have to be new … maybe ideas that have been used at other airports, but driving it through technology,” McMurray added. “You need to provide the connectedness for passengers. They need to feel comfortable. They need to like where they’re at. They need to want to fly into O’Hare.”
The 19-gate, $730 million Concourse D heralded during a ceremonial groundbreaking this week has 30,000 square feet of commercial space and 20,000 square feet of lounges.
“It’s a very competitive environment for airports,” McMurray said. “So when we look at those things, we want to make sure we are providing those things too, so when people travel, they make it a point to want to travel through O’Hare.”
The one thing that McMurray does not want to see is slot machines at O’Hare and Midway airports, even in confined and secluded airports areas. McMurray agreed with senior mayoral adviser Jason Lee that installing slots at O’Hare and Midway — as some City Council members want to do — would turn the aerial gateways to Chicago into a chintzy Las Vegas replica.
“We are not in the casino business at the airports. We are not competing with … Las Vegas,” McMurray said.
“I just can’t imagine slot machines anywhere in our airports right now. … Our mission is air travel, and that’s my primary focus. Not slot machines. Not gambling or any of that.”
To cut costs and appease the two major airlines footing much of the bill, Mayor Brandon Johnson changed the order of construction on the $8.2 billion O’Hare terminal expansion project.
The new agreement allows the city to build the satellite concourse while planning a phased construction of the global terminal that would replace what is now Terminal 2. A second satellite concourse, with a connecting tunnel, will be completed only if enough funding remains after other work is finished.
The city will provide regular cost estimates and will need approval from United and American before either cutting the scope of the project or spending more than the inflation-adjusted $8.2 billion figure.
McMurray flatly declared that, “We will not run out of money. … If we do it right, we will deliver all of it” at a time when President Donald Trump’s tariffs have had a chilling effect on the cost of construction materials and supply chains.
But he also acknowledged that talks are underway to determine the final design of the global terminal designed by renowned Chicago architect Jeanne Gang. One option could be to economize on the Gang design that some in the industry have derided as an expensive “Taj Mahal.”
The global terminal would allow passengers to transfer from domestic to international flights without using Terminal 5, the current international terminal.
“It’s an elaborate design, and it’s beautiful. It’s still in the process of being designed. … It’s still a work in progress right now,” McMurray said.
The new commissioner promised to “deliver a first-class, brilliant, stunning design.” But that doesn’t mean forging ahead with Gang’s original design.
“We’re in constant negotiation and planning sessions with them. … We are collaborating with our airline partners and our federal partners. Everybody is working together,” McMurray said. Gang’s team has “been fantastic. … They’ve been great partners. I like what I’ve seen so far, and I’m certain the public will, too.”