McDonald's Corporation flies to DuPage after the Q1 earnings call

McDonald's Corporation flew from Chicago Midway International Airport to DuPage Airport on May 15, 2026, a 22-minute hop covering just 3,000 feet of altitude. The flight, aboard the company's Gulfstream G600 (tail N1955M), arrived at 5:33 p.m. Central Time.

The trip comes the same week McDonald's reported first-quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations, per a CNBC report on May 7. The company posted global same-store sales growth of 3.8%, driven by U.S. customers spending more on items like the limited-time Big Arch burger and a renewed emphasis on value, including the new Under $3 Menu. CEO Chris Kempczinski noted the chain is navigating a challenging environment, with rising gas prices from the U.S. war with Iran pressuring low-income consumers.

The brief flight from Midway to DuPage—rather than the company's usual O'Hare departures—suggests a quick executive movement, possibly to a suburban meeting or facility. Recent flights show the G600 made a round trip to Munich, Germany, on May 10, returning to Chicago before this short domestic leg.