JetBlue Considers Chicago Alternatives
In the event that its bid to be the latest airline to fly into Chicago O’Hare is rejected, JetBlue is considering the possibility of using Gary/Chicago International Airport as an alternative.
Located just across the Indiana border, about 26 miles from Midway and more than 40 miles from O’Hare, Gary is located ideally for those who want quick access to East Chicago.
But this geography also presents unique obstacles. Chicago has truly outstanding public transportation. Renting a car on a business trip to the area is for the most part unnecessary. But that all changes if you’re flying into Gary. Neither the Red nor the Green lines come even close to the airport. This means that travelers will have to rent, take an expensive taxi, or brave Chicago’s notoriously rough South Side by bus. By contrast, O’Hare has its own El stop: the terminus for the Blue line.
If JetBlue wants travelers to take the Gary option seriously, their prices will have to undercut those of other airlines by at least the price of a car rental or taxi fare. Otherwise, travelers will scurry for Midway, where JetBlue competitor Southwest Airlines reigns supreme.




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It’s not a serious alternative but the South Shore line has a “Gary Airport” railway station served by http://www.nictd.com/ The schedule only offers one train an hour and the station (unlike at South Bend Airport) is not integrated with the airport terminal but…….
Good point, Graham. Thanks for sharing.
It’s noteworthy to mention that Gary is, as part of the expansion over there for the runway, performing major work along Cline and Chicago Ave., the main arteries into the airport.
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