Advice to Memorial Day travelers: If you’re the type who requires a pre-flight bloody mary in the airport bar — and no judgment here — be sure to give yourself even more time than usual this weekend before your plane takes to the sky.
Because it’s going to be crazy busy in the airports (and presumably the airport bars).
Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of what’s expected to be a bustling travel season in the air, thanks in part to a recovering economy and increased consumer confidence, experts say. Beginning Thursday, according to airport officials, both Chicago airports will see an increased number of travelers over last year’s Memorial Day weekend.
At O’Hare International Airport, airport officials are projecting 1.2 million passengers from Thursday to Tuesday — an increase of 1.5 percent over 2014, according to a Chicago Department of Aviation news release.
And at Midway, about 380,000 passengers are projected to fly, an increase of 5 percent over last year, aviation officials said.
Friday will be the busiest day with more than 242,000 passengers projected at O’Hare and more than 73,000 at Midway.
Typically, travelers are advised to arrive at the airport two hours before their flights, said Gregg Cunningham, spokesman for the Chicago Department of Aviation. Those flying internationally should allot two to three hours before takeoff.
But O’Hare travelers driving to the airport may need to give themselves even more time because of construction projects underway in and near the airport. Lane reductions are in effect on the upper level roadway in front of Terminals 1, 2 and 3, according to the release. There’s also nearby work on Irving Park Road, as well as ramp closures on I-190 and Mannheim Road.
“Walk in through the airport doors two hours before your flight, but you may have to adjust for more time depending on how you’re traveling to the airport,” Cunningham said.
On the bright side, there will be a festive vibe in both airports, which will be decorated in red, white and blue. Live jazz and blues bands will perform Friday in both airports from 2 to 5 p.m. The festivities are intended to celebrate both Memorial Day and Military Appreciation Month.
The music also helps lift the mood for some stressed-out passengers, Cunningham said.
“It adds a good vibe to the airports,” he said. “Passengers seem to enjoy it.”
Twitter @GregTrotterTrib
