Chicago Midway Will Get Its First-Ever Airport Lounge in 2024

Updated: September 28, 2023, 3:01pm CDT

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Chicago Midway Will Get Its First-Ever Airport Lounge in 2024

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Chicago’s original hometown airport is getting a lounge. For the first time in its 95-year history, Midway International Airport (MDW) will offer a lounge to travelers starting in 2024. Here’s what you need to know.

The Club MDW To Open Next Year

On September 27, 2023, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) announced plans for Midway’s first-ever lounge, The Club MDW set to open in Fall 2024.

Located in the airport’s Central Market at the intersection of Concourses A and B, The Club MDW will be available for all travelers regardless of airline and class of service. The lounge will also be part of Priority Pass, which means complimentary access via a variety of premium travel rewards credit cards.

Southwest Airlines jet on tarmac — Southwest operates dozens of daily flights from Midway Airport in Chicago. Image Credit: Miguel Ángel Sanz via Unsplash

“Chicago’s original hometown airport is a tremendous driver for jobs and economic opportunity across the South and West Sides, and I am thrilled about the new jobs and amenities this club will provide for our residents and the traveling public,” said Mayor Johnson. “Each year, more than 22.7 million people travel through Midway, and we’re excited to be able to offer each of them this new service worthy of our world-class city.”

The 3,300-square-foot club will offer a variety of complimentary snacks and drinks with decor drawing inspiration from Chicago’s architectural history.

Currently, Midway Airport technically does have a lounge — the USO Lounge — but it’s only available to military members. The airport sees dozens of flights every day from Southwest Airlines, and the majority of these passengers haven’t had the ability to visit a lounge before or between flights. When The Club opens next year, it’s sure to be a delight for the thousands of Southwest passengers who use the airport on a regular basis.

Hot Tip:

There are plenty of ways to secure airport lounge access membership without having to purchase one. Here’s our full guide to the best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access.

Final Thoughts

Travel numbers at Midway Airport are already exceeding pre-pandemic levels so there’s clearly demand for a more premium experience at the airport. When it opens in 2024, this Priority Pass lounge will be a welcome sight for travelers who go through Midway — we just hope this lounge doesn’t suffer the same overcrowding issues that have plagued other lounges across the country for the last couple of years!

Featured Image Credit: The Club

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About Chris Dong

Chris is a freelance writer and editor with a focus on timely travel trends, points and miles, hot new hotels, and all things that go (he’s a proud aviation geek and transit nerd). Formerly full-time at The Points Guy, his work can now be found at AFAR, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, The Washington Post, and Lonely Planet, among others

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