The Secret Behind O'Hare Airport's Zip Code: Why 60666 is More Than Just a Number

The Secret Behind O'Hare Airport's Zip Code: Why 60666 Is More Than Just A Number

The Secret Behind O'Hare Airport's Zip Code: Why 60666 is More Than Just a Number

For travelers, businesses, and aviation enthusiasts, the official zip code for Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is a crucial piece of information, and as of today, December 13, 2025, it remains a unique and dedicated code: 60666. This specific five-digit identifier is not a random assignment; it is a dedicated postal code that serves the massive airport complex, distinguishing it from the surrounding residential and commercial areas of Chicago and its suburbs. Understanding this single zip code is key to navigating the world's fourth-busiest airport and its sprawling infrastructure, which is currently undergoing a multi-billion dollar transformation.

The number 60666 is more than just a mailing address for the airport; it represents the entirety of the airport's property, including all terminals, runways, cargo facilities, and administrative offices. This exclusivity is common for large, high-volume entities like major international airports, which require their own dedicated postal service routing. The code is a vital entity for everything from official government correspondence with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) to simple package delivery to a specific airline's cargo bay.

The Official Zip Code: 60666 and Its Specific Use Cases

The number 60666 is the definitive, official zip code for O'Hare International Airport. This code is used by all major entities operating within the airport's boundaries, ensuring mail and deliveries are routed directly to the airport's dedicated postal facility rather than a general Chicago or suburban post office.

  • Official Mailing Address: The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) both list their O'Hare mailing address using P.O. Box 66142, Chicago, IL 60666.
  • Terminal and Airline Use: Major airlines, including American Airlines, use the 10000 West O'Hare Avenue, Chicago, IL 60666 address for their operations at O'Hare. This code applies to all terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 3, and the International Terminal 5).
  • Cargo and Freight: The airport's vast cargo area, home to companies like FedEx and Nippon Cargo Airlines, also falls under the 60666 zip code. This area is critical for global logistics, making the precise zip code essential for tracking and customs.

The number itself has generated a bit of folklore, given its resemblance to the "number of the beast," which has led to humorous discussions among frequent flyers and airport staff. However, the designation is purely a postal system assignment, reflecting the airport's location within the larger 606xx Chicago zip code series.

Geographic Complexity: Understanding O'Hare's Surrounding Zip Codes

While 60666 is the airport's dedicated code, the physical location of O'Hare International Airport is geographically complex. The airport property straddles the boundaries of the City of Chicago and several neighboring suburbs, which introduces other, closely related zip codes that cover the surrounding community, businesses, and access points.

The airport is located within the larger O'Hare Community Area of Chicago, which is one of the city's 77 official community areas. This area is served by several different zip codes, each covering a distinct geographic segment:

The Overlapping Zip Codes (LSI Entities)

  • 60018: Des Plaines and Rosemont, IL
    This zip code covers significant portions of the suburbs of Des Plaines and Rosemont, which directly border the airport's western and northern edges. Certain airport-adjacent hotels, rental car facilities, and airport operations located just outside the main airport fence line may use 60018. The airport's official IATA code, ORD, is a historical reference to the site's original name, Orchard Field, which was located within the area now covered by these suburbs.
  • 60656: O'Hare Neighborhood, Chicago
    This code serves the residential and commercial areas of the O'Hare neighborhood to the east and south of the airport. This is the code for the Chicago residents who live near the airport perimeter, not the airport property itself.
  • 60631: Chicago's Far Northwest Side
    This code covers the adjacent Norwood Park and other far northwest side neighborhoods of Chicago, which are also part of the airport's immediate sphere of influence.

For visitors, this overlap is important for navigation systems and ride-share services. If you are going to the airport terminals, use 60666. If you are going to an airport hotel or a business immediately next to the airport, a different code like 60018 or 60656 may be required.

The Future of O'Hare: Zip Codes and the O'Hare 21 Expansion

The unique postal designation of 60666 takes on even greater significance in light of the massive, ongoing capital development program known as O'Hare 21. This multi-year, multi-billion dollar plan is the largest terminal expansion in the airport’s history, designed to modernize the facility and significantly increase its capacity for passenger growth.

The O'Hare 21 project, which involves key stakeholders like United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, and Spirit, is fundamentally reshaping the physical footprint of the airport, but it will not change the dedicated zip code. The new infrastructure, which includes a new Global Terminal and two new satellite concourses (Concourse D and Concourse E), will all be contained within the 60666 boundary.

Key O'Hare 21 Entities and Developments

  • Global Terminal: The centerpiece of the expansion, replacing the current Terminal 2, will be built entirely within the 60666 zone.
  • New Concourse Infrastructure: The new satellite concourses, designed to improve efficiency and reduce ground delays, will use the official 60666 address for all operational and logistical purposes.
  • Increased Economic Activity: The project's economic impact, including construction jobs and new facilities, is all tied to the airport's official location and its dedicated postal code, solidifying 60666 as the central entity for all aviation-related business in the area.

In conclusion, while Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a sprawling hub that touches several municipal boundaries and zip codes (60018, 60656, 60631), its official, dedicated, and most critical postal code is and will remain 60666. This code is the definitive address for everything from its historic namesake, Edward "Butch" O'Hare, to the future-facing terminals of the O'Hare 21 project, making it a powerful five-digit entity in the world of global aviation.

The Secret Behind O'Hare Airport's Zip Code: Why 60666 is More Than Just a Number
The Secret Behind O'Hare Airport's Zip Code: Why 60666 is More Than Just a Number

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o'hare airport zip code

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o'hare airport zip code
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