(By One Estimate) Chicago Has the Best Air Service

Despite being well-known and maligned for delays and overall service, Chicago is ranked the best city for air service.

1 minute read

February 1, 2018, 5:00 AM PST

By snewberg @JoeUrbanist


Midway Airport

O'Hare isn't the only show in town. | Thomas Barrat / Shutterstock

A new study by the Eno Center for Transportation ranks Chicago as the best city in the United States for air service, despite the city being known for bad weather and Chicago's O'Hare airport in particular being known for extensive delays for passengers.

The Eno Center study scored cities across the United States based on overall nonstop flight options, frequency of flights, amount of overall competition and the price of airfare on average, the latter two being related. 

By these metrics, Chicago scored well, due to a mid-continent location and the fact that it has two airports (O'Hare and Midway) that collectively provide 170 nonstop destinations. As well, Midway is served by a major Southwest airlines, which helps keep overall airfare out of Chicago more affordable. 

Denver, Los Angeles, and Dallas rank second, third, and fourth, respectively. 

Tuesday, January 16, 2018 in Forbes

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9, 2025 - Axios

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Red and yellow surfboards leaning against fence in Maui, Hawaii.

Surf’s Upcycling: Hawai‘i’s Latest Green Building Material is Recycled Surf Boards

“Surf Blocks” are fire-resistant, termite-proof, and close the loop on mountains of waste from the state’s beloved sport.

March 19 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Group of older people sitting at table indoors laughing.

Building Age-Friendly Homes

Designing for the unique needs of elderly people can help them maintain social connections and mental acuity.

March 19 - Happy Cities

Times Square with Broadway billboards at night.

Nightlife and the 15-Minute City

Plans for compact, walkable cities often don’t address nighttime concerns like transportation and lighting, which can make neighborhoods more vibrant and safe around the clock.

March 19 - Cooperative City