Chicago O’Hare International Airport is one of the busiest and most complex aviation hubs in the world. Its web of terminals, concourses, and endless security lines is familiar to millions of travelers every year. But if you’ve ever looked at an O’Hare flight board, a strange fact jumps out: there is no Terminal 4.
That gap isn’t a numbering mistake or a Chicago quirk. Terminal 4 did exist once, but it was never intended as a permanent solution. Built in the mid-1980s as a stopgap international arrivals facility inside a parking garage, it was quickly replaced by the gleaming Terminal 5 in 1993. Today, that brief experiment in rebranding space as an “international terminal” has become an airport trivia point — and the reason you’ll never catch a flight out of Terminal 4 at O’Hare.
This article traces the story of O’Hare’s missing terminal, why it disappeared, what travelers need to know now, and whether a “Terminal 4” might ever return.
Quick Answer (Snippet-Ready)
Terminal 4 at Chicago O’Hare was a temporary international arrivals hall built inside a parking garage in the 1980s. It closed when the permanent international facility, Terminal 5, opened in 1993. That’s why O’Hare has Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5 — but no 4.
The Backstory of O’Hare’s Terminals
O’Hare’s Growth into a Global Hub
To understand why Terminal 4 existed, it helps to step back to the 1960s and 70s. Chicago O’Hare, named after World War II flying ace Edward “Butch” O’Hare, had already become the nation’s busiest airport. Its location near the geographic center of the United States made it an obvious hub for both domestic and international flights.
But O’Hare’s original terminals were designed when air travel was smaller in scale. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 were clustered together to serve major U.S. carriers. By the late 1970s, as wide-body jets and international routes expanded, demand quickly outstripped the available gates.
How Terminals Were Numbered
The airport’s terminals were numbered sequentially as they were built, but expansions didn’t always follow a neat pattern. Terminals 1 through 3 served domestic carriers. Terminal 5 — opened in 1993 — became the home for international arrivals. But between them, there was a short-lived Terminal 4, sandwiched between history and necessity.
The Birth of Terminal 4
A “Temporary Fix” for International Arrivals
By the early 1980s, O’Hare was under pressure. International carriers wanted space, customs facilities were overwhelmed, and passengers arriving from overseas often faced bottlenecks. City planners needed a solution fast.
The fix was unconventional: repurpose space inside an airport parking garage into a makeshift terminal. This stopgap was officially designated Terminal 4 in 1984. It handled international arrivals with customs facilities wedged into an area never designed for large-scale passenger processing.
The Experience of Terminal 4
Passengers arriving through Terminal 4 were shuttled by bus between the converted garage and their departure concourses. Accounts from the time describe it as cramped, confusing, and bare-bones. Unlike the soaring terminals travelers might expect, it felt more like being processed in a warehouse.
Still, it was a functional answer to the immediate problem: O’Hare’s booming international traffic. For nearly a decade, it kept the airport operating, even if passengers left with less-than-glamorous memories.
Why Terminal 4 Didn’t Last
Structural and Design Limitations
From the start, Terminal 4 was a compromise. The parking garage walls created narrow corridors, low ceilings, and awkward layouts. There were no permanent jet bridges or proper concourses. Everything felt temporary — because it was.
Airline and Passenger Complaints
Travelers arriving in Terminal 4 had to board buses to connect to their gates or baggage claim. Airlines disliked the inefficiency. Customs lines spilled into uncomfortable waiting areas. For a city priding itself as a global crossroads, the setup was embarrassing.
Planning the Replacement — Terminal 5
Recognizing the limitations, the city of Chicago began planning a dedicated international terminal by the late 1980s. The result was Terminal 5, a purpose-built facility with modern gates, customs facilities, and space for future growth. When it opened in 1993, the need for Terminal 4 vanished overnight.
What Happened After Terminal 4 Closed
The Opening of Terminal 5 (1993)
Terminal 5 immediately became the hub for all international arrivals. Its spacious layout, modern design, and direct connections solved the bottlenecks that plagued Terminal 4. Airlines and passengers alike praised the upgrade.
The Fate of the Old Terminal 4 Space
So what happened to the old “Terminal 4” in the parking garage? It reverted to its original purpose: ground transportation. Today, the site functions as part of O’Hare’s bus and shuttle operations, a far cry from its short life as an “international terminal.”
Why There’s Still No Terminal 4 Today
Terminal Numbering Quirks at Airports
Airport numbering systems don’t always follow logic. Some airports skip numbers to avoid confusion (Hong Kong has no Terminal 4; Manila’s numbering is out of sequence). Once a number falls out of use, authorities rarely recycle it.
Why O’Hare Never Reused the “Terminal 4” Name
After Terminal 5 opened, reintroducing “Terminal 4” would have created confusion for travelers, airlines, and systems already programmed with the existing numbering. O’Hare stuck with 1, 2, 3, and 5 — leaving 4 as a ghost number in aviation history.
What This Means for Travelers Today
Where to Go if Your Ticket Mentions “Terminal 4”
On rare occasions, booking systems or older documentation may still mention “Terminal 4.” If you see that, don’t panic. It simply refers to Terminal 5. Travelers should always check the latest gate and terminal info directly with the airline.
Navigating Between Terminals at O’Hare
O’Hare can be intimidating. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are connected airside, so domestic transfers are relatively straightforward. But Terminal 5, the international hall, is separated. Travelers use the Airport Transit System (ATS) — an automated people mover — or shuttle buses to connect between Terminal 5 and the others. Transfer time typically ranges from 15 to 30 minutes depending on crowds.
International Arrivals and Customs Today
All international flights arrive at Terminal 5, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection is housed. If you’re connecting to a domestic flight, you’ll need to clear customs, collect your bags, recheck them, and transfer to Terminals 1–3.
Could a New Terminal 4 Ever Return?
O’Hare 21 and the Terminal Area Plan
Chicago has embarked on a massive redevelopment program known as O’Hare 21. The plan includes expanding Terminal 5, building new satellite concourses, and replacing Terminal 2 with a state-of-the-art Global Terminal. This is the most significant overhaul of O’Hare’s infrastructure in decades.
Will “Terminal 4” Ever Be Used Again?
So far, the Chicago Department of Aviation has shown no interest in reviving the Terminal 4 name. Future concourses are expected to continue the current numbering or adopt new labels under the O’Hare 21 branding. Terminal 4, in all likelihood, will remain a ghost of the past.
Fun Facts and Myths About Terminal 4
Myths and Conspiracy Theories
Like many airport oddities, Terminal 4 has inspired myths. Some claim there’s a “secret” underground Terminal 4 used for government flights or hidden operations. The truth is far less exciting: the space was a converted garage, and it’s now part of ground transport facilities.
Trivia for Aviation Enthusiasts
- O’Hare isn’t alone: several airports skip numbers. Hong Kong International has no Terminal 4, and Dallas–Fort Worth once left gaps in its gate lettering.
- Aviation enthusiasts often joke that “Terminal 4” is where lost luggage ends up.
Timeline of Terminal 4 at O’Hare
| Year | Event | Notes |
| 1984 | Terminal 4 opens in parking garage | Stopgap international arrivals facility |
| 1985–1992 | Serves international passengers | Crowded, bus transfers, limited space |
| 1993 | Terminal 5 opens | Terminal 4 closes permanently |
| 1993–Present | Space repurposed | Used for ground transportation and buses |
FAQs
Why is there no Terminal 4 at O’Hare Airport?
Because the original Terminal 4 was a temporary facility inside a parking garage. It closed in 1993 when Terminal 5 opened.
What happened to Terminal 4 at O’Hare?
It was shut down after Terminal 5 took over international flights. The space is now used for ground transportation.
Where was Terminal 4 located?
Inside a converted airport parking garage near the main terminal complex.
What terminal handles international flights now?
Terminal 5 is the dedicated international terminal at O’Hare.
Could a new Terminal 4 be built?
Unlikely. Current redevelopment plans focus on expanding Terminal 5 and building new concourses un
Why does O’Hare jump from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5?
Because Terminal 4 was decommissioned and its number was never reassigned.
