Make the most of a flight delay in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport

This busy Midwestern hub is one of the best places to be when your flight runs behind schedule. Learn how to make the most of a flight delay at O'Hare Airport with these helpful tips.

Grab a Bite

Need a snack to get by between flights? Try the Nuts on Clark stands in terminals 1, 2 and 3. Popular bites include candied cashews, chocolate-covered almonds or a sweet and salty mix of cheesy popcorn and caramel corn. It’s the perfect snack to share with the rest of your travel party pre-flight.

If you’re over in Terminal 5 and fancy a sweet treat, don’t worry. You’ll find a Nuts on Clark vending machine on Concourse M, or you can enjoy a slice of cake or a cookie at Goddess on the Go.

For more substantial dishes, head to Tortas Frontera in Terminals 1, 3, and 5. Rated one of the best airport restaurants in America, according to Bon Appetit, the menu features an array of Mexican-inspired sandwiches, soups, salads, and delicious guacamole, with recipes created by local chef, Rick Bayless.

Hungry passengers in Terminal 2 can find satisfying German fare like fresh-made schnitzel and bratwurst at Berghoff Cafe.

Find Peace and Serenity

In the middle of a flight delay, a little R&R is always welcome. In Terminal 3, have a seat near the Aeroponic Garden in the mezzanine level of the Rotunda Building. In this one-of-a-kind garden, over 26 towers play home to vegetables and herbs like red lettuce, cilantro, snap beans and chives. In fact, the garden furnishes many of the green ingredients and herbs used in O'Hare restaurant dishes.

Just steps away, the Yoga Room offers a quiet place for airline passengers to practice poses or sit in meditation from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Features include a nook to stash your carry-on, yoga mats, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, bamboo flooring and soothing background sounds. The chapel in Terminal 2 also offers a small, quiet place to sit quietly, pray, or meditate.

If you have time for a rejuvenating treatment, the Terminal Getaway Spas in Terminals 1 and 3 can help ease any stress with foot massages, last-minute mani-pedis and full-body Swedish massages. Being able to unwind when stuck in an airport is a must for some people, so we’re so happy that O’Hare takes this into consideration.

Fit in Some Exercise

For certain travelers, there's only one way to deal with a long flight delay – exercise. If you fit into this category, then O'Hare Airport offers the perfect solution, provided you have the time to exit and re-enter security.

The Hilton Health Club sits inside the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel, which is adjacent to the airport – just a 10-minute walk via the underground walkway from terminals 1, 2 and 3. With the purchase of a day pass, you can get access to a fitness center, indoor lap pool, whirlpool, steam room and sauna. After a good workout, you'll be relaxed and ready for your next flight.

Engage in Retail Therapy

In addition to being the hub for international flights at O'Hare Airport, Terminal 5 offers the vast majority of retail shops – though the other terminals have their fair share of bookstores, tech hubs and gift boutiques. If you are waiting longer than expected for an international flight, then a little retail therapy might be just what the doctor ordered.

Shop Coach and Brooks Brothers for high-end fashion, or head to Sunglass Hut for a trendy pair of shades. Find tax-free and duty-free merchandise – from cosmetics to confectionary – at Dufry and an abundance of gift and souvenir ideas at Hudson News. Grab some last-minute presents and pick up something for yourself at the same time, you deserve it.

Quick Ways to Pass the Time.

As if the activities above aren't enough, check out even more ways to make the most of a flight delay at Chicago O'Hare International Airport:

·       Catch up on current events with a newspaper from CNN Newsstand Chicago.

·       Immerse yourself in a good novel from Barbara's Bookstore.

·       Enjoy a cup of coffee while charging your laptop at Starbucks.

·       Browse eclectic art and other collectibles at Hoypoloi An Uncommon Gallery.

With approximately 2,400 flights going in and out of Chicago O'Hare Airport every day, there’s always a chance of delay. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for passing the time and reducing the stress of having to wait.

Looking for more travel tips? Discover our essential trip-planning hacks and get organized with our Business Traveler’s Guide to Chicago.