March 13, 2026 — Chicago Southwest Airlines announced it is discontinuing service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport effective June 4, 2026, ending operations there just five years after launching flights in February 2021. The move is part of the carrier’s network refinement strategy amid challenging conditions at the busy hub, while reaffirming its commitment to Chicago Midway International Airport.
The decision affects all flights to, from, and through O’Hare (ORD), with the airline stating it will redirect service to Midway, its longstanding base with over 41 years of operations and more than 80 nonstop destinations, including the 15 markets previously served from O’Hare.
“Operating at Chicago O’Hare continues to be challenging, and we are confident we can serve Chicagoland through Chicago Midway.”
This Southwest Airlines spokesperson quote, echoed across outlets, highlights operational difficulties at O’Hare, exacerbated by intense competition from American Airlines and United Airlines, capacity constraints, and an ongoing modernization project.
Broader Network Adjustments
Southwest Airlines discontinuing service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport coincides with cuts at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), also effective June 4. The airline described these as part of ongoing efforts to optimize its route network without significantly altering flight availability to affected cities, according to Dallas Morning News reporting.
Customer and Employee Support
Affected passengers can rebook flights on alternate dates or routes, primarily through Midway, or request refunds. Southwest has issued a travel advisory outlining flexible options. Frontline employees at O’Hare and Dulles can bid for open positions across the network, including at Midway, where Southwest operates the majority of its Chicago flights.
Background on O’Hare Operations
Southwest entered O’Hare in 2021, capitalizing on pandemic-reduced traffic and available gates to test expansion beyond its traditional secondary airport focus. However, persistent congestion—O’Hare was the busiest U.S. airport in 2025—and FAA proposals for flight reductions prompted the exit, as detailed in Simple Flying analysis.
Local outlets like the Chicago Sun-Times and WTTW News confirmed the June 4 cutoff, noting Midway’s capacity for up to 244 daily departures. No significant capacity reductions are expected for Chicago-area service overall.
