Chicago Department Of Aviation Launches ‘O’Hare Moments’ Campaign

Chicago Department Of Aviation Launches 'O'Hare Moments' Campaign

What's your O'Hare moment? Chicago collects 70 years of love, family, and travel memories

For more than 70 years of commercial air travel, O'Hare International Airport has been the stage for some of life's biggest moments. The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is asking travelers to share their special moments from O'Hare's seven decades for the chance to win $500.

"For seven decades, Chicago has made connections with the world at O'Hare," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "As we strengthen Chicago's economic power by advancing the airport's ORDNext expansion, we celebrate the millions of personal journeys, reunions, and milestones that are O'Hare's legacy - and make these moments possible for generations to come."

Through a cross-channel marketing campaign and targeted in-airport digital displays, the "O'Hare Moments" campaign encourages travelers to celebrate their first flights, family reunions, farewells, and milestones.

Chicagoans and travelers alike can reflect on how life in a global city has enriched their lives and bound them to far-away places and family members. Current and retired workers at and around O'Hare, for their part, can express their deep ties to the airport and take pride in the lasting impressions they've created.

"O'Hare holds a special place in the memories of our travelers," said CDA Commissioner Michael J. McMurray. "Life's most significant chapters often begin or end at our terminal gates. As we build new concourses that will serve Chicago and the region well into the future, we want to honor these stories and capture the promise of the moments that connect us."

The call for personal stories, photos, and video coincides with the progress of ORDNext, the largest terminal expansion in O'Hare's history. The ORDNext program prepares O'Hare for the next phase of growth, with construction now underway to make way for new memories. Two state-of-the-art satellite concourses, a world-class O'Hare Global Terminal, and a seamlessly connected underground tunnel are designed to elevate every traveler's journey.

The campaign prompts individuals to submit a story they find personally meaningful, whether a first trip abroad, a long-awaited reunion after deployment, meeting someone special, or simply a small moment that makes them smile. An entrant will be chosen at random to receive a $500 gift card; city employees are not eligible.

Submissions to the "O'Hare Moments" campaign will be accepted through Feb. 2, 2026. For details or to enter a story, visit moments.ORDNext.org.​