Chicago O’Hare Airport Removing Moving Walkway

For those of you who travel through Chicago frequently you are probably well aware of the moving walkways throughout the airport. There were eight walkways at one time, but no longer.

United Airlines is removing all eight of the walkways in Concourse C. As of this time, four of the walkways have already been removed. The four that are still there are to be removed by next spring, according to the Chicago Tribune.

These walkways were added to Concourse C around 20 years ago. United Airlines now states that they are trying to give their travelers more room by removing these walkways. Apparently the walkways are congesting the area and keeping passengers from smoothly moving around the concourse.

Fliers of the past were more apt to bring heavy luggage which they had to carry around. The moving walkways made this task much easier. However, today’s travelers are mostly using the rolling luggage, which does not require moving walkways to easily get around.

The Tribune also stated that eliminating these walkways would leave more space for other things to be added to the concourse, such as retail stores and trendy food and beverage concessions that would create more income for the city.

O’Hare customers who switch between B and C concourses don’t need to worry about their walkway being taken away. These walkways will still be available in the 850-foot tunnel between concourse B and C.

According to a United spokesperson, the main reason the walkways are being removed was to “improve circulation of customers.” Travelers had differing opinions about this new change, some like the quickness the walkways offer when moving around, and others agree that they make the area too crowded and were unnecessary.

Filed under: Traveling by Michelle Gushard
Comments Off on Chicago O’Hare Airport Removing Moving Walkway