Smoking at Chicago Midway International Airport – MDW

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Yes, Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) has designated smoking areas in outdoor curbside zones outside the single terminal building. You’ll find them on both the upper departures level and the lower baggage-claim level, with the most-used spots near Door 1 (east end) and Door 10 (west end) on the lower level. The terminal interior and Concourses A, B and C are smoke-free.

Main Terminal – Curbside Smoking Areas

Midway has one compact terminal building, so every smoking option is on the curb outside it. There are no indoor smoking lounges or rooms anywhere in the building.

Lower Level (Arrivals / Baggage Claim): The ground-level curb is the easiest place to step out for a cigarette, especially right after you land and collect bags. Designated areas with ash receptacles sit near the entrance doors along the ground transportation and pickup lanes — travelers most often point to the spot near Door 1 toward the east end and Door 10 toward the west end.

Upper Level (Departures / Ticketing): If you are checking in, the upper-level curb where taxis and ride-shares drop off also has designated outdoor smoking spots near the doors. Step away from the entrance and look for the marked area.

Per the Illinois clean-indoor-air rules, stand at least 15 feet from any doorway, window or air-intake vent while you smoke.

Concourses A, B and C

Southwest Airlines drives the majority of Midway’s traffic and operates across all three concourses, which fan out from a single central checkpoint. None of the concourses have a smoking room, terrace or designated area — the entire airside is smoke-free. To smoke, exit through the terminal to the curbside zone and then pass back through TSA screening.

Summary

AreaSmoking areaNotes
Lower level (arrivals)Curbside near Doors 1 and 10Outdoor only; before security; quickest after landing
Upper level (departures)Curbside near entrance doorsOutdoor only; before security
Concourses A, B, CNoneAirside is fully smoke-free; re-clear TSA after smoking

Flying via the city’s other airport? See our guide to smoking at Chicago O’Hare (ORD).

For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I smoke at Chicago Midway Airport?

Yes, you can smoke at Midway (MDW) in designated outdoor areas along the curbside of the single terminal building. The spots are on both the upper departures level and the lower baggage-claim level, near the main entrance doors. The terminal and all three concourses are smoke-free indoors.

Where are the smoking areas at Chicago Midway?

Yes, MDW has outdoor smoking areas on the curb outside the terminal. The most-used spots are near Door 1 toward the east end and Door 10 toward the west end on the lower arrivals level, plus the departures-level curb upstairs. Look for marked areas with ash receptacles, and stand at least 15 feet from the doors.

Are there smoking areas after security at Midway?

Yes, with all of the zones located before security. Concourses A, B and C have no smoking areas, so you smoke at the outdoor curbside zones landside, then re-clear the TSA checkpoint to return to your gate. Midway is compact, so the walk back is short.

Can I vape at Chicago Midway Airport?

Yes, you can vape at the same outdoor designated smoking areas at MDW. E-cigarettes and vapes follow the same rules as cigarettes, so use the curbside areas outside the terminal rather than inside the building or concourses.