Chicago celebrates opening of O’Hare’s expanded and upgraded T5

New ‘smart windows’ have been installed in the recently opened 350,000-square-foot expansion of Chicago O’Hare’s Terminal 5, a major milestone in the $1.3 billion, four-year investment programme to expand and modernise the gateway.

The windows, provided by View Inc, use artificial intelligence to optimise the amount of natural light in the terminal while minimising heat and glare, to provide a more comfortable and healthier environment for passengers. In addition, smart windows reduce energy consumption by lowering cooling loads.

Speaking at the grand opening of the new eastern extension of Terminal 5, Mayor Lightfoot, said: “O’Hare is a significant economic engine for our entire region and the first impression of Chicago for millions of visitors every year.

“That’s why we are especially proud to cut the ribbon to this expanded, modernised Terminal 5, which represents a major milestone in O’Hare’s curb-to-gate transformation into one of the great airports of the 21st century under the O’Hare 21 capital improvement programme.

“Importantly, this project will also build on my administration’s and Chicago Department of Aviation’s (CDA) ongoing commitment and efforts to create equitable, economic opportunities for Black and Brown residents, businesses, and construction and development firms.”

While CDA Commissioner, Jamie Rhee, noted: “With new gates, increased passenger amenities, a more efficient baggage handling system, and expanded security checkpoints and customs facilities, the state-of-the-art Terminal 5 of today is equipped to handle the growing demand we expect O’Hare to see in the coming years while offering an improved passenger experience.

“These crucial infrastructure investments will ensure that O’Hare maintains the capacity it needs to move forward with other O’Hare 21 work with minimal impact to operations.”

Talking about the ORD project, Dr Piers MacNaughton, View Inc’s vice president of institutional business, commented: “This project sets the standard for sustainable, passenger-centric airport design.

“We are proud to contribute to O’Hare’s sustainability initiatives and make a good first impression of Chicago for the millions of passengers that travel through Terminal 5 each year.”

The new windows at O’Hare International serve as a key component of an over $1 billion upgrade of Terminal 5.

Designed by the architecture firms Muller2 and HOK, the enhanced Terminal 5 mimics the sleek form of an airplane wing and includes floor-to-ceiling View windows that increase natural light and offer expansive views of the runway.

The expansion also increases the terminal’s gate capacity by 25% with 10 new gates, new concessions, and includes a brand-new Delta Sky Club premium lounge facility also featuring View Smart Windows.

In a study on the impact of natural light and the airport experience, Smart Inc notes that passengers rated a concourse with its windows as 33% more modern, efficient, bright, and comfortable than one with traditional windows.

Passengers were also 68% more likely to report being “very satisfied” with their overall experience in gates with View Smart Windows.

Its windows have been installed at several airports, including Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Phoenix Sky-Harbor International Airport (PHX), and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).