O’Hare Int’l Airport

Share ORD memories for a $500 prize + Get rewards at RNO + Track Santa

 

You could win $500 for sharing an O’Hare Airport memory

In October, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) celebrated its 70th anniversary of hosting commercial air service.

The airport has, of course, changed and grown a lot over the years. And now it’s looking forward to a major terminal expansion, dubbed ORDNext. On the agenda: two state-of-the-art satellite concourses, a new international terminal and an airport-wide underground tunnel for connections, among other projects.

But before it blasts off into the future, Chicago’s Department of Aviation is hosting an “O’Hare Moments” Campaign and Sweepstakes.

Through February 2, 2026, ORD is asking the public to share photos and special memories they have from their travels through O’Hare during the past 70 years.

We’re thinking: special milestones, family reunions, chance meetings, farewells, eventful layovers, love stories, etc.

At the end of the campaign, one entry will be chosen at random to receive a $500 gift card.

Enter the O’Hare Moments sweepstakes here. And feel free to share your story with us here too.

Reno-Tahoe Int’l Airport’s Curbside Kindness Campaign

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is revving up its Curbside Kindness team for the holidays.

Team members will be surprising drivers dropping off passengers with small tokens of appreciation, including gift cards and other surprises.

The campaign not only spreads some extra holiday cheer but also encourages travelers to catch a ride to the airport and free up space in the parking garage and surface lot during peak travel days. 

Another kindness: NORAD Tracks Santa

Kids of all ages can follow Santa’s journey around the globe starting on Christmas Eve, thanks to the folks at NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, a US-Canadian joint effort.

NORAD’s main job is to monitor and defend North American airspace 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. But on December 24, the agency has a special added mission to track Santa Claus as he and his reindeers fly around the world to deliver presents to children.

Anyone can follow along on the Santa Cam.

This is the 70th year NORAD is filling this role. Kids can call to ask live operators about Santa’s location (1-877-HI-NORAD/1-877-446-6723) or call via the Norad Tracks Santa website.

Fresh art at Chicago’s O’Hare Int’l Airport

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There’s a new art installation called “City Windows” at O’Hare International Airport that covers 15 windows and was created in traditional Chinese paper cut style. Look for it by Gate B19.

Created by artist Qiao Xiaoguang, Director of the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Research Center at the Central Academy for Fine Arts in Beijing, the artwork depicts historic and contemporary landmarks in Chicago, such as the Navy Pier and the Willis Tower, and the Forbidden City and CCTV Tower in Beijing.