March 14, 2026 — Southwest Airlines announced on March 13 that it is dropping service to two major US airports, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), effective June 4, 2026, with the last flights operating on June 3. The decision aims to refine the airline’s network due to operational challenges at ORD and shift focus to nearby hubs Chicago Midway (MDW), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), and Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA).
AZFamily reported Southwest Airlines is dropping service to two major US airports, highlighting impacts on Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) routes, including the end of two daily flights to ORD and one daily to IAD. Similarly, KLTV, syndicating AZFamily coverage, confirmed Southwest Airlines is dropping service to two major US airports as part of these adjustments.
Customer and Booking Impacts
Customers with bookings after June 3 can rebook to alternate airports such as MDW for ORD or BWI/DCA for IAD, or request full refunds through the Southwest app or website, according to PaxEx.Aero and AZFamily. PaxEx.Aero noted Southwest Airlines is dropping service to two major US airports after just five years at ORD.
Employee Support
Southwest employees stationed at ORD and IAD will have opportunities to bid on open positions at other locations, as stated in KLTV.
Official Statement
The airline’s media update, titled “Southwest Focuses on Serving Chicago and Washington D.C. via MDW and BWI/DCA; Discontinuing Service at ORD and IAD,” details the strategic shift. This aligns with broader network refinements, separate from prior cuts like Phoenix to Burbank and Palm Springs.
Media and Social Coverage
Chicago Tribune coverage emphasized Southwest’s exit from ORD after five years. WTTW Chicago PBS reported on the O’Hare discontinuation. On X, journalists including Venton Blandin noted staffing reductions, while The Points Guy and Tom Roussey highlighted the transformation and official statement on Dulles (posts, here, and).
No recent cuts affect PHX-Burbank or Palm Springs routes, per prior reports (AirlineGeeks).
