Flying through Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway international airports just became slightly more enticing.
The Chicago Department of Aviation has announced it will be providing free unlimited Wi-Fi at both facilities. Yes, you read that right. Free. And unlimited.
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The announcement represents a departure from the previous offerings at both airports. Up until now, there was a 30-minute limit on free access to Wi-Fi. The new service, provided by Boingo Wireless, will be available at all locations in both airports and began in April.
What’s more, not only has the 30-minute time limit been removed, but also passengers will now have streaming capabilities. (With rolling ads every 45 minutes, a small price to pay for free streaming).
“As we grow and modernize Chicago’s airports, the new service underscores our commitment to integrating new technology and platforms that enhance the passenger experience at Chicago’s airports,” Ginger S. Evans, commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation, said in a statement.
Passengers may also opt for even faster speeds by purchasing a one-day or monthly Boingo subscription.
The new service for O’Hare and Midway comes at no cost to the city of Chicago. Its rollout is a precursor to two significant new modernization programs that will take place at the airports designed to prepare Chicago’s airports for future growth. The programs will include new security and advanced technologies aimed at providing a more seamless experience for customers traveling through Chicago.
Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, in particular, is expected to undergo a major overhaul. As TravelPulse’s Patrick Clarke reported in February, the $8.5 billion expansion project, said to be the largest in the airport’s history, would add a new global terminal, dozens of additional gates and multiple concourses. Some airlines have expressed opposition to the plans.
O’Hare and Midway airports serve more than 100 million passengers each year and generate $45 billion for the area’s economy annually, according to the Associated Press.
