Chicago O'Hare Weather Scare?

[kuzco-like]

I'm going down to WDW in December. My flight back includes a stopover in Chicago. While talking about my flight itinerary last night, a friend asked "Are you really going to go to Chicago in December? Aren't you afraid of getting stuck there for days?" I hadn't been until she mentioned it, but now it's all I can think of. Experienced travellers...what do you think? Should I be looking into changing my flight to avoid Chicago in mid-December?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

O'Hare sucks and is constantly having delays, even in good weather. It would not be my first choice for a layover.

 

[NancyIL]

I usually fly on American Airlines from my home airport in central IL, and most flights connect at O'Hare. I allow at least an hour or more between connecting flights, and I usually don't have problems. Any airport can have delays and cancellations if the weather is bad.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have spent more time sitting at O'Hare waiting for delayed or canceled flights due to weather than any other airport in the world. I try to avoid connections there, especially in the winter. You didn't mention your airline; I'm assuming since you are connecting at O'Hare that it isn't Southwest which allows changes for free. If you have already purchased your ticket, you should just hope for the best, as change fees are now several hundred dollars for most US airlines.

 

[NancyIL]

I have spent more time sitting at O'Hare waiting for delayed or canceled flights due to weather than any other airport in the world. I try to avoid connections there, especially in the winter. You didn't mention your airline; I'm assuming since you are connecting at O'Hare that it isn't Southwest which allows changes for free. If you have already purchased your ticket, you should just hope for the best, as change fees are now several hundred dollars for most US airlines.

Southwest operates out of Chicago Midway.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

Last winter I made it through O'Hare in a brief window in-between weather closures......but my luggage sat there for 6 more days!

 

[Hopefully]

I used to fly United biweekly from Boston to Seattle. The hub connections were either Chicago or Denver. I tried to avoid both in the winter, but Chicago was worse than Denver, for delays.
I would avoid Chicago in December if reasonably possible

 

[kuzco-like]

Argh. Okay, thanks for the replies. At least I'll now be mentally prepared. But I'll look into changing, just in case. I'm flying from Canada using points, but the flights are on United. I'll have to see what my options are for possibly changing. I've never flown in the winter, so this didn't occur to me at all. Thanks for all the advice. Wish me luck!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

When flying in the winter I try to pick a connection city that is south such as Nashville. In order to avoid the bad weather in Chicago.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Sure, I'd be cautious, but I wouldn't worry. I've flown in and out of Chicago and points north a number of times during the winter months. I still joke about the time (this was when my daughter was working for the airlines, and Mommy and Daddy flew for free) that I flew into Chicago on a Friday, flew home then flew back to Chicago and home the following day. In January. Even though it snowed on Saturday, I had no problems whatsoever.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Southwest operates out of Chicago Midway.

Yes, that is why I stated the OP could not be flying Southwest, since she is connecting at O'Hare.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Argh. Okay, thanks for the replies. At least I'll now be mentally prepared. But I'll look into changing, just in case. I'm flying from Canada using points, but the flights are on United. I'll have to see what my options are for possibly changing. I've never flown in the winter, so this didn't occur to me at all. Thanks for all the advice. Wish me luck!

If you're using United FF miles, you'll have to pay a fee to redeposit the miles in your account; the amount depends on your FF status.

 

[Yellowjj]

While O'Hare would not be my first choice in winter, it has significantly improved on delays with the opening of the new runways.

You should be fine. The problem if any would come from the workers on the ground in managing to prep and unload/load the aircraft.