Design Plans Revealed For Chicago O’Hare’s 19-Gate Satellite Concourse

ORD new terminal rendering

A rendering of the extension of Concourse C at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Credit: SOM/Norviska/O'Hare International Airport

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has released architectural designs for the new satellite concourse under construction at O’Hare International Airport (ORD), revealing a facility characterized by open spaces and natural light.

Satellite Concourse 1, as the extension of Concourse C is called, will add 19 gates to ORD, serving both domestic and international flights.

In a statement, the mayor’s office noted the concourse is being “designed to flexibly accommodate different sizes of aircraft bodies, increasing operational efficiency for carriers and reducing layover transfers for passengers in one of the nation’s busiest airports.”

Construction is already underway in the form of taxiway upgrades to accommodate the new facility, but work on the building has not yet kicked off.

The project, expected to create around 3,800 construction jobs, is targeted for a 2028 completion.

Chicago architecture company Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is the lead designer of the concourse. "The gate lounges feature column-free expanses for easy way-finding," as well as "high ceilings to optimize views," says Scott Duncan, design partner at SOM. 

Aaron Karp

Aaron Karp is a Contributing Editor to the Aviation Week Network.