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Verdict

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) scores higher overall at 7.4/10 versus Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) at 7.3/10.

Score comparison

Metric Chicago O'Hare International Airport Palma de Mallorca Airport
FlightLogic Score 7.4 7.3
On-Time Performance 7.0 7.0
Passenger Experience 7.2 7.2
Facilities & Comfort 7.8 7.6
Lounge Score 8.0 7.0
City Chicago Palma
Country United States Spain
Terminals 4 terminals (T1–T3 domestic, T5 international) 1 main terminal (4 modules A–D)
Annual passengers 73M+ 32M+

Operational comparison

Transport links, lounge access, connection times, and UK261 eligibility — verify locally before travel.

Policy ORD — Chicago PMI — Palma
Rail / public transport
To city centre
Lounge day pass
Min. connection time
Primary hub carriers

Detailed profiles

Chicago, United States · ORD · #1 in this comparison

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

4 terminals (T1–T3 domestic, T5 international) · 73M+ passengers/year

7.4 / 10

How good is Chicago O'Hare International Airport?

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) scores 7.4/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (7.0), passenger experience (7.2), and facilities (7.8). Lounge quality rates 8.0/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Chicago O'Hare (ORD) scores 7.4/10 on FlightLogic with lounge score 8.0/10. All international flights depart Terminal 5 — alliance lounges serve Star Alliance and oneworld partners. United Polaris is in Terminal 1 only. See /guides/ord-airport-lounge-guide.

FlightLogic Score 7.4 Very Good
On-time 7.0 Departure reliability
Experience 7.2 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 7.8 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 8.0 Lounge quality
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Modelled on industry airport indices — on-time data, facilities ratings, and editorial experience signals combined into a single FlightLogic score.

On-Time Performance
7.0
Passenger Experience
7.2
Facilities & Comfort
7.8
Lounge score 8.0/10

Highlights

  • Terminal 5 handles all international departures — Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam alliance lounges
  • United Polaris Lounge in Terminal 1 for United long-haul business class — not reachable airside from T5
  • Common connection point for UK–US domestic and UK–Asia routings via United and American
  • ORD people mover links terminals landside — plan 60+ minutes for terminal changes

Overview

United Airlines and American Airlines mega-hub — Terminal 5 international departures with Star Alliance and oneworld lounges for transatlantic connections.

Terminal 5 international hub

Terminal 5 consolidates international departures with Swissport-operated alliance lounges for Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam. United and American domestic connections require landside terminal transfer and re-security.

UK travellers connecting to US domestic flights should allow 2+ hours minimum for immigration, baggage reclaim if not interlined, and re-check.

Palma, Spain · PMI · #2 in this comparison

Palma de Mallorca Airport

1 main terminal (4 modules A–D) · 32M+ passengers/year

7.3 / 10

How good is Palma de Mallorca Airport?

Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) scores 7.3/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (7.0), passenger experience (7.2), and facilities (7.6). Lounge quality rates 7.0/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Palma PMI scores 7.3/10 — the Balearics hub and among the UK's busiest Spain routes. Jet2 and TUI dominate package traffic. UK visitors complete EU Entry/Exit System biometrics on arrival and departure, so pad summer timings. See /guides/eu-ees-border-checks-uk-travellers/, /guides/best-airlines-uk-spain and /guides/palma-airport-lounge-guide.

FlightLogic Score 7.3 Very Good
On-time 7.0 Departure reliability
Experience 7.2 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 7.6 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 7.0 Lounge quality
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Modelled on industry airport indices — on-time data, facilities ratings, and editorial experience signals combined into a single FlightLogic score.

On-Time Performance
7.0
Passenger Experience
7.2
Facilities & Comfort
7.6
Lounge score 7.0/10

Highlights

  • UK's busiest Spain leisure airport in peak summer — Mallorca, Menorca ferry connections, and Ibiza transfers
  • Jet2, TUI, easyJet, Ryanair, BA, and Virgin Atlantic (seasonal) from 20+ UK airports
  • EES biometric checks for UK passports — leave extra landside time in peak months
  • Extreme peak-season congestion — arrive 2+ hours before departure; UK261 on UK-return legs
  • Priority Pass at Sala VIP lounges — pre-book essential July–August

Overview

The Balearics' primary airport — Europe's busiest leisure hub in summer with dense Jet2, TUI, easyJet, Ryanair, and BA schedules from across the UK. UK visitors now clear Schengen EES biometrics here.

UK leisure traffic

Palma handles more UK passengers than almost any other single Spanish airport in July–August. Jet2 and TUI package holidays land here alongside low-cost scheduled carriers.

For Ibiza, allow ferry or connecting flight time from PMI — do not assume same-airport transfers.

EES biometric border checks

Since October 2025, UK passport holders normally complete Entry/Exit System biometrics when arriving in and leaving the Schengen area. At a high-volume leisure gateway like PMI, that means more landside time than pre-Brexit stamp-and-go — especially when several inbound banks arrive together.

Use FlightLogic’s buffer checklist at /guides/eu-ees-border-checks-uk-travellers/. Do not confuse EES with ETIAS — the online authorisation is still not open to apply.

More comparisons

Compare Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) against 59 other airports
Compare Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) against 59 other airports

FAQ

Which is better, Chicago O'Hare International Airport or Palma de Mallorca Airport?

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) scores higher overall at 7.4/10 versus Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) at 7.3/10.

Which has better lounges, ORD or PMI?

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) scores higher for lounges at 8.0/10, versus Palma de Mallorca Airport at 7.0/10.

Which airport is more on-time, ORD or PMI?

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) has stronger on-time performance at 7.0/10 versus Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) at 7.0/10.