Chicago Midway International Airport (IATA: MDW, ICAO: KMDW) is the second largest airport of Chicago. In 2021 it received almost 16 million passengers, most of them flying Southwest Airlines. The airport has 5 runways, of which only two are used as runway for commercial aircraft.
Southwest is the dominant carrier of the airport, followed by Frontier. Other, less frequent visitors, are Avelo, Allegiant, Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, Porter Airlines and Volaris, are regular visitors.

Midway Airport has its own subway- (Orange line) and bus station and therefor easy accessible from the city centre. With busline 55A/55N/63W it is possible to visit most spots (without a car).

Written by Julian Mittnacht and Bas Velders (Last visited in 2015)

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Airport Information
Runways
4R/22L	6,445 ft  (1,964 m)
4L/22R	5,507 ft (1,679 m)
13L/31R	5,141 ft (1,567 m)
13C/31C	6,522 ft (1,988 m)
13R/31L	3,859 ft (1,176 m)
Terminals	One terminal for all airlines.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed.
Car/Public Transport	Car is recommended, but not necessary. You can walk around the field.
Restrooms	Public restrooms are only to be found in the terminal, but there are lots of restaurants near every spot.
Drinks/Food	Restaurants near every spot.
Hotels	South of spot #5 is the hotel area of Midway airport.
Season	Spring/summer.
Runway Usage
General Info	The two longest runways 4R/22L and 13C/31C are use most. Runway usage varies a lot, depending on the wind conditions. On one trip in 2012 there were 3 runways changes for arrivals in 2 hours.

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	Spot #1 – Terminal ramp – Departures/Arrivals runway 22L
WHERE	The spot is easy to find. Its on the opposite side of the entrance to the Southwest check-in on a sidewalk. Walk to the position where the fireplug is so you won´t have the light poles within your frame.
WHAT	Perfect for all 22L movements, arrivals and departures/line up.
TIME	From sunrise until afternoon.
MISC.	Everything you need within the terminals. I suffered no issues with security during my stay.
FOCAL LENGTH	The 737 is the usual aircraft and you need 200mm for it on the runway/threshold.

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	Spot #2 – Parking Deck – Apron overview/Departures & arrivals 22L
WHERE	This spot is on the Economy Parking Garage of the airport  located west of S. Cicero Avenue and north of 55th Street. Get to the uppermost level and you will have a fantastic view of the airport terminal and runway 22L. You can even walk to this spot from the terminal which will take approximate 15 minutes.
WHAT	Arrivals runway 22L and taxiing traffic on the apron.
TIME	From afternoon till sunset.
MISC.	Maximum parking rate is 15 USD for 24h. There is a gas station and restaurant on the corner of W55th Street and South Central Avenue (Spot #3).
FOCAL LENGTH	50-100mm for arrivals/departures 200-300mm for traffic on the apron.

Photo taken from the garage

	Spot #3 – Arrivals runway 13C
WHERE	This spot is located on the corner of W55th Street and South Central Avenue. You can park your car in the surrounding streets. There are multiple small grass fields where you can stay (depending on the light conditions). By bus: At the bus station get on bus 55A or 55N and get out on 55th Street & Central. The bus ride will cost you 6 minutes (instead of a 30 minute walk).
WHAT	Arrivals runway 13C.
TIME	Early morning (northern side) / ~ 12.00 – sunset (southern side).
MISC.	There is a gas station and restaurant on W55th Street.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-100mm for arrivals

MDW-Spot3

	Spot #4 – Arrivals runway 4R/4L
WHERE	This spot is located on W 63rd Street and South Central Avenue. You cannot see the runway (blocked by the wall), but arrivals can be photographed. Park your car in the surrounding streets. By bus: A t the bus station get on bus 63W and get out on 63rd Street & Lorel. The bus ride will cost you 3 minutes (instead of a 20 minute walk).
WHAT	Arrivals runway 4R and 4L. Departures can be photographed through the fence near the Midway Armory (small meshes).
TIME	Sunrise till ~ 15.00.
MISC.	On South Central Avenue are some restaurants.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-100mm

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	Spot #5 – Arrivals runway 31C
WHERE	On W 63rd Street and South Cicero Avenue it’s possible to photograph 31C arrivals. From the terminal it is a 15 minute walk. You cannot see the runway, because it is blocked by a wall.
WHAT	Arrivals runway 31C
TIME	Early morning (northern side) / ~ 12.00 – sunset (southern side).
MISC.	You are on the parking lot of White Castle.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-100mm

MDW-Spot5

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