Chicago's economy is booming with record-high tourism, office sales surge & new airline routes

Chicago is experiencing a rare economic triple-win as tourism revenue hits record highs, office sales rebound, and major airlines expand global routes. The city welcomed 56.8 million visitors in 2025, generating a record-breaking $21.5 billion in visitor spending and supporting 135,360 local jobs, according to data released by Choose Chicago.

This milestone represents nearly 1.5 million more visitors than in 2024, defying national economic uncertainty and global travel headwinds. "Chicago continues to prove itself as an unmatched global city," said Governor JB Pritzker in the Choose Chicago press release. Mayor Brandon Johnson also noted that tourism is a "powerful economic engine" that strengthens communities across the region.

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Investor confidence returns for office sales

Simultaneously, the local real estate market is showing renewed strength. Chicago office sales hit $887 million in the first five months of 2026, totaling 11.8 million square feet, according to NAI Hiffman, per a Chicago Business Journal report. This volume is $358 million higher than the same period in 2025 and marks the highest level since 2022.

"Deals are happening again," Denes Juhasz, director of research at NAI Hiffman, told the Chicago Business Journal, noting that pricing logjams are breaking. Executive Vice President Adam Johnson observed that building closures are occurring weekly in 2026, a pace unseen in prior years, the same report confirmed. Banks that held properties for three to five years have now written down values enough to sell, signaling investor confidence is returning.

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New global routes added to Chicago airlines

In transportation, the aviation sector is expanding its global footprint. According to a second report by the Chicago Business Journal, American Airlines will restart its Chicago-Tokyo route on March 27, 2027, marking a new chapter after a seven-year hiatus. The Dallas-based carrier joins United Airlines, which announced its own O'Hare-to-Tokyo flight starting Saturday, October 24.

"American is proud to mark a new chapter in travel from Chicago," said American CEO Robert Isom, per the Chicago Business Journal. The daily flight will use a Boeing 787-9 with 30 Flagship Business and 21 premium economy seats, the report confirmed. This expansion comes even as the Federal Aviation Administration capped summer flights at O'Hare to prevent delays.

Chicago's momentum is unmistakable, with tourism, real estate, and aviation all pointing to a city that is "never done and never outdone," as stated by Choose Chicago President Kristen Reynolds.