Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is currently the world’s busiest airport in takeoffs and landings. Complex airspace and robust ground traffic is a challenge for even the most experienced pilots. The airport configuration is comprised of eight runways including six east/west parallel runways. The North Airfield Complex has the 9/27 runway designators while the South Airfield Complex has the 10/28 runway designators. An additional set of parallel runways with 4/22 designators are utilized under certain conditions. Pilots are highly encouraged to conduct a comprehensive preflight when planning a trip to ORD. View a printable Pilot Handbook of the ORD information found on this Web page.
Know Before You Go
ORD ATCT: Operates 24 Hours
Admin Office: Open 0700L-1530L M-F
The airspace at ORD is Class B (Refer to Sectional Chart).
Simultaneous Parallel Departures
The Hazard: Parallel Departures Wrong Turn Conflicts
Chicago O'Hare (ORD) conducts simultaneous parallel departures from both the North Airfield (Runways 9/27) and the South Airfield (Runways 10/28). All aircraft currently utilize a single Vector SID, where the initial instructions are to fly runway heading with subsequent turns for direction of flight assigned by ATC.
Wrong turn event—where an aircraft unintentionally turns toward the opposing runway environment instead of away from it—creates an immediate and severe risk of a mid-air collision with traffic departing simultaneously on the parallel runway.
Pilot Expectations & Best Practices
To ensure lateral separation is maintained, pilots must adhere to the following:
- Anticipate the turn during simultaneous parallel departures:
- North Airfield (9C/R or 27C/R): Expect turns to the NORTH (Left turn from 9s, Right turn from 27s).
- South Airfield (10L/C or 28R/C): Expect turns to the SOUTH (Right turn from 10s, Left turn from 28s).
- Read back direction of turn before execution.
- Confirm "Runway Heading": Ensure the flight director is centered on the assigned magnetic runway heading during the initial climb. Do not initiate a turn until specifically instructed by ATC.
Safety Mandate: Question the Turn
If a heading is assigned that appears to turn your aircraft toward the opposing runway environment, pilots are encouraged to:
- Maintain Runway Heading: If in doubt, continue straight ahead on the assigned magnetic runway heading.
- Verify with ATC: Immediately query the controller for clarification (e.g., [Callsign], confirm [Left/Right] turn [Heading]?").
Caution: Human error in either ATC instruction or pilot execution can lead to a conflict. Maintaining geographic situational awareness of the "Center Line" between the North and South airfield Runways is the final defense against a mid-air event.
- Pilots should review NOTAMS for the Letter to Airmen “Simultaneous Departures from Parallel Runways" for facility issued guidance.
Hot Spots
HS 1: Aircraft/vehicles taxiing on TWY A between TWY A14 and TWY A12, use caution for aircraft pushing onto TWY A from Gates K18 and K20.
HS 2: Aircraft/vehicles taxiing on TWY A near TWY A7, use caution for aircraft pushing onto TWY A from Gates F26 and F28.
This information is subject to change. Not for navigation or legal pre-flight action. Refer to official pre-flight materials such as, but not limited to, NOTAMs, Airport Diagrams, Chart Supplement and VFR charts for the current airport-specific details.