CHICAGO — Shovels are finally in the ground for the long-awaited transformation of Concourse D at O’Hare International Airport, according to a press release by the Chicago Department of Aviation. The $1.3 billion project launches the next phase of O’Hare’s sweeping modernization strategy and sets the stage for a passenger experience that airport leaders say will be brighter, more spacious and far easier to navigate.

Why Concourse D Matters to Frequent Flyers

O’Hare handles more than 80 million passengers annually, making it one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs and a crucial mid-continent link for both domestic and international itineraries. Yet much of the airside infrastructure dates back decades. Concourse D is the first of two new satellite concourses planned to remedy that constraint, add gate flexibility and inject 21st-century amenities into the traveler journey.

When finished in late 2028, the three-level, 590,000-square-foot building will introduce:

• 19 gates designed for single-aisle aircraft, with provisions to combine 18 of them into nine wide-body positions for long-haul service.
• More than 20,000 square feet of airline lounge space—room enough for multiple branded clubs or a flagship lounge.
• 30,000 square feet dedicated to shops, dining and grab-and-go concepts.
• A 450-square-foot play zone for kids, a first for any concourse at O’Hare.
• A signature 40-foot-high atrium with an oculus that funnels daylight deep into the heart of the concourse.

Design Inspired by Chicago’s Past and Future

Architectural renderings come from a home-grown powerhouse team led by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in association with Ross Barney Architects, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects and engineering firm Arup. The most eye-catching visual is a forest of “tree-like” columns that reference the apple orchards that once dotted the land where O’Hare now sits. Beyond the poetic nod, the branching supports free up ceiling real estate for larger skylights and help distribute loads efficiently to the foundations—one reason the design can offer such generous spans without cluttering the interior with walls.

The ORDNext Blueprint

Concourse D is the flagship project under a new umbrella initiative known as ORDNext, a fresh stage of the broader O’Hare 21 capital campaign. Airport managers say ORDNext will deliver the most passenger-facing upgrades since Terminal 5 opened its expansion in 2022.

The program has three additional tent-pole elements:

1. O’Hare Global Terminal – A complete replacement for aging Terminal 2, designed to serve both Star Alliance and oneworld partners under a single roof.
2. Concourse E – A second satellite concourse with 24 gates that will link to the Global Terminal via underground pedestrian tunnel.
3. New subsurface tunnels for baggage and employee circulation, engineered to streamline luggage transfers between mainline and regional operations.

Together, these projects form the backbone of the airport’s $8.2 billion Terminal Area Plan, a vision approved in 2018 to future-proof O’Hare for the next century of commercial flight.

What Travelers Will Notice First

While heavy construction will occur airside and away from curbside traffic, passengers can expect periodic gate reassignments and longer walks as existing gate areas shift to make room for new utility corridors. The Chicago Department of Aviation pledges that flight banks will be managed to “minimize impact on airport operations,” but seasoned travelers would be wise to watch gate monitors closely and build in extra connection time during peak construction milestones.

On the plus side, the open-plan atrium is poised to become an instant Instagram magnet. Landscaped seating terraces will step down toward retail and dining zones, while the oculus draws sunlight straight to the lower departures level. The design team’s daylight modeling suggests the space could reduce reliance on artificial lighting for much of the daytime operating schedule, a sustainability win that also makes the environment feel more humane.

Tips for Travelers Navigating O’Hare During Construction

• Check your terminal. Some regional jets that currently use Concourse G may be relocated temporarily; your boarding pass might list a different gate area than you’re used to.
• Build a cushion. Until wayfinding signage catches up with each phase, allow an extra 10–15 minutes to navigate detours.
• Leverage lounges. With 20,000 square feet of new lounge inventory on the horizon, elite flyers should look for early-access openings that often precede full concourse completion.
• Pack for kids. The 450-square-foot play area will be a boon for families, but don’t retire the coloring books just yet—the space won’t open until the concourse is fully operational.
• Stay informed. The airport’s dedicated ORDNext webpage will post milestone timelines and maps as each construction tranche rolls out.

One Voice From the Airport

“Breaking ground on Concourse D is a critical first step toward enhancing how the airport welcomes and serves more than 80 million passengers each year,” Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Michael McMurray said.

Looking Ahead to 2028 and Beyond

By the end of the decade, the combined satellites, tunnels and new Global Terminal will create a horseshoe-shaped airside complex where domestic and international arrivals coexist under a single security regime. The arrangement is expected to cut minimum connection times, unlock additional long-haul flying for the airport’s hub carriers and reopen precious runway capacity by reducing hold times at gates.

For travelers, the most immediate payoff will be variety: more gates mean a greater chance of nonstop options; more lounge and retail square footage translates to shorter queues at peak times; and upgraded baggage systems promise quicker claim-belt deliveries. Long-term, airport officials hope the investment will help O’Hare remain competitive with rapidly expanding hubs in the Gulf and Asia, ensuring Chicago stays on the short list for global aviation traffic well past 2050.

As construction fencing goes up along the existing Terminal 1 ramp, passengers may not see the finished product for several years—but the groundwork now underway signals a tangible commitment to a more traveler-centric O’Hare. Keep tabs on ORDNext updates, and by the time the ribbon is cut on Concourse D in 2028, your next Chicago layover could feel closer to a city park than an airport waiting room.