If you’ve ever wished you could do something more meaningful at O’Hare than jog between Terminals 1 and 3 with a lukewarm latte, good news: Chicago’s airports have opened express service to the North Pole.
The Chicago Department of Aviation has rolled out its annual Letters to Santa program at both O’Hare and Midway, inviting travelers to leave a postcard for the big guy through December 19. And yes, Santa actually writes back—provided you leave your contact info and not just a list of “vibes” and “surprises.”
The setup is surprisingly charming for two of the country’s busiest transit hubs. At Midway, you’ll find the mailbox at the information desk near the Central Market. O’Hare, meanwhile, went all in with four drop points: Terminal 1 (post-security, next to that famous Brachiosaurus), Terminal 2 (near the Family Lounge), Terminal 3 (in the Rotunda) and Terminal 5 (near Gate M8). So whether you’re boarding a 6am flight to Phoenix or killing time before an international connection, a direct route to Santa HQ is never out of reach.
Airport Ambassadors, who are cheerily suited up in CDA holiday gear, will sweep through twice a day to collect the letters and send them onward. Families can scribble down a wish, adults can channel their inner child and anyone stuck in a delay can take comfort in knowing at least someone hears their pleas.
Chicago is deep in its busiest travel stretch of the year, with both airports bracing for another surge after Thanksgiving. Airlines estimate that more than 1.63 million passengers flowed through O’Hare between November 25 and December 1, a 9.5% bump from last year and likely the busiest Thanksgiving travel week in the airport’s history. Midway is projected to have a crush of nearly 350,000 travelers over the same period.
So, while spirits are high and lines are long, the city figured it couldn’t hurt to bring in some North Pole magic to smooth the edges.