Latest news with #MidwayAirport
Chicago Tribune
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Chicago Tribune
Air quality alert in effect until midnight in Chicago area, weather officials say
Besides temperatures feeling in the high 90s Wednesday, Chicago and surrounding areas are under an air quality alert until midnight, weather officials said. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued an Air Pollution Action Day for the greater Chicago area, meaning widespread ozone and particulate levels are expected to be above what is considered safe for children and adults in unhealthy groups suffering from pulmonary and respiratory conditions. Chicago and surrounding areas were under an earlier air quality alert that expired Tuesday night. A high temperature in the low 90s was expected Wednesday with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Officials are expecting that system to hit around 4 p.m. with more thunderstorms before 8 p.m. with wind gusts of about 20 mph. Current conditions at O'Hare International Airport are mostly cloudy at 78 degrees. Farther south at Midway Airport conditions are similar at 81 degrees. Officials said the heat index Wednesday will make temperatures feel in the high 90s. Under the air quality alert, those who fall under the sensitive groups category are warned to limit prolonged periods outside. Others are asked to limit emission output Wednesday.
Forbes
17-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Much Have Baggage Fees Airlines Changed Since 2024?
Major U.S. airlines have started charging at least $5 more for checked bags since the beginning of 2024. This increase was to help offset rising costs and also help generate more revenue. Consequently, these price changes can alter which is your best flight option and require more research time. Below are the current fees and corresponding changes (listed alphabetically). CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 27: Passengers retrieve luggage from a baggage carousel after arriving at Midway Airport on a Southwest Airlines flight on May 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Beginning tomorrow, Southwest Airlines will begin to charge most passengers $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for their second, ending its longstanding free checked bag policy. (Photo by) Getty Images On January 2, 2025, Alaska Airlines upped its first and second checked bag fees to $35 and $45, respectively. The rate is the same whether you pay the fee online or at the airport. You previously paid $30 (first bag) and $40 (second bag). In November 2024, American Airlines increased its first checked bag fee by $5 for domestic basic economy and main cabin flights within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You now pay $35 when paying the fee online or $40 at the airport. Second bags now cost a flat $45 for most routes in either bottom-tier ticket class. Delta increased its first and second checked bag fees in March 2024 by $5. You now pay $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second checked bag on domestic flights. These fees apply to the Delta Main Basic, Delta Main, and Delta Comfort fare classes. In April 2024, JetBlue pivoted to multi-tiered pricing. In addition to being a first or subsequent checked bag, your fee also depends on whether it's peak or non-peak season, and how close to check-in you pay your fee. Blue, Blue Basic, and Blue Plus pay the following fees: More Than 24 Hours Before Departure (Off-Peak): Within 24 Hours of Departure (Off-Peak): More Than 24 Hours Before Departure (Peak): Within 24 Hours of Departure (Peak): Prices include a $10 savings per bag when you pay your domestic itinerary fees at least 24 hours before departure. The savings discount is $5 per bag for transatlantic flights. These fee increases are approximately $10 above the previous base rate. United Airlines increased its checked bag fee by $5 in most markets for departures on or after February 24, 2024. Prepaying for your suitcases at least 24 hours before takeoff saves money. Domestic flights have the accompanying baggage charges: Shocking most flyers and discount airline enthusiasts, Southwest Airlines ditched its long-time two-bag-fly-for-free policy. Since May 28, 2025, most fares incur the following fees: One personal item and a carry-on bag are still complimentary with all fare classes. You automatically avoid both fees by purchasing the top-tier Business Select® Fare or by being a Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred Member. A-List members and Rapid Rewards credit card customers can waive the first checked bag fee. The precise fee waivers differ by airline, although everyday travel hacks include: Moreover, due to strict European Union carry-on standards, U.S.-based airlines may also be tightening the maximum allowable carry-on dimensions to select destinations. These are the first major fee changes since 2018 when the legacy airlines last increased their baggage fees. Be sure to check the latest fee schedules and luggage policies to avoid any surprises at airport check-in. Most airlines have a baggage fee calculator to estimate your costs for domestic and international flights before booking a flight. Related Articles:
CBS News
05-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Major runway at Chicago Midway Airport gets $47 million makeover
A major runway at Chicago Midway International Airport is getting a multi-million dollar makeover, and the project broke ground Thursday. The Chicago Department of Aviation will be reconfiguring Runway 13C/31C to create two new taxiways, as well as doing some major repaving and installing new runway guard lights. The project has been in the works since 2022. As a part of the ongoing efforts to improve operations at Midway, the existing Runway 13L/31R, which the city said has been closed since 2023, will be permanently decommissioned as of June 12. When that happens, Runway 13C/31C will be redesignated as Runway 13L/31R. The goal of the project is for aircraft to be able to take off more efficiently, and reduce delays and traffic across the airfield. The groundbreaking event was attended by officials from the Chicago Department of Aviation and Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Chicago weather: Air quality alert called for a 2nd straight day as Canadian wildfires continue
An air quality alert is in effect until midnight Thursday for the Chicago area as Canadian wildfires continue, officials said. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency declared an Air Pollution Action Day because widespread ozone and or particulate levels are expected to be at or above the unhealthy for sensitive groups category. Officials said wildfire smoke is expected to continue to affect those levels Thursday and Friday, officials said. The same air alerts were also issued on Wednesday. Current morning conditions at O'Hare International Airport are mostly cloudy with haze at 60 degrees. At Midway Airport, conditions are foggy and misty at 61 degrees. On Thursday, highs in the upper 50s are expected. Plumes of smoke are blanketing large swaths of the U.S. and parts of Europe, which presents risks for those breathing it. The Midwest, Northeast and Great Lakes regions of the U.S. have 'very unhealthy' air quality, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, and experts say people should take precautions. .
Chicago Tribune
05-06-2025
- Climate
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago weather: Air quality alert called for a 2nd straight day as Canadian wildfires continue
An air quality alert is in effect until midnight Thursday for the Chicago area as Canadian wildfires continue, officials said. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency declared an Air Pollution Action Day because widespread ozone and or particulate levels are expected to be at or above the unhealthy for sensitive groups category. Officials said wildfire smoke is expected to continue to affect those levels Thursday and Friday, officials said. The same air alerts were also issued on Wednesday. Current morning conditions at O'Hare International Airport are mostly cloudy with haze at 60 degrees. At Midway Airport, conditions are foggy and misty at 61 degrees. On Thursday, highs in the upper 50s are expected. Plumes of smoke are blanketing large swaths of the U.S. and parts of Europe, which presents risks for those breathing it. The Midwest, Northeast and Great Lakes regions of the U.S. have 'very unhealthy' air quality, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, and experts say people should take precautions. Read more here.
