March 13, 2026 — Chicago Southwest Airlines announced it will discontinue service at Chicago O’Hare International Airport starting June 4, 2026, ending all flights to, from or through the airport after five years of operations. The carrier cited ongoing operational challenges at the facility dominated by competitors United and American Airlines, opting to redirect resources to its longstanding hub at Chicago Midway International Airport.
Southwest Airlines to discontinue service at Chicago O’Hare International Airport starting June 4, 2026, aligns with a travel advisory on the airline’s website, where flights booked on or after that date face automatic cancellation. Customers with affected reservations can rebook to Midway or another airport without fare changes or receive full refunds, including for non-refundable tickets.
“Operating at Chicago O’Hare continues to be challenging, and we are confident we can serve Chicagoland through Chicago Midway. Our robust service from our longtime base at Midway will continue to serve more than 80 destinations, including the 15 markets we served from O’Hare. Southwest remains committed to providing its signature hospitality to our Customers in Chicagoland.”
The statement comes from Southwest Airlines, which has operated at Midway for 41 years with up to 244 daily departures.
Operational Shift to Midway
Southwest Airlines to discontinue service at Chicago O’Hare International Airport starting June 4, 2026, allows the airline to consolidate its Chicago-area presence at Midway, described as a five-year ‘experiment’ at O’Hare. The 15 routes previously flown from O’Hare—including Phoenix, Denver and Dallas—will shift to Midway, maintaining connectivity without service gaps.
Broader Network Changes
This decision is part of wider adjustments, including ending service at Washington Dulles International Airport, as reported by multiple outlets like AZFamily and KHOU. Affected employees at O’Hare can bid for positions network-wide, including Midway, per the airline.
Context and Coverage
The move comes amid FAA discussions on slot reductions at O’Hare for summer 2026. Coverage spans local Chicago media such as WGN-TV and national reports, confirming consistency in details since the March 13 announcement.
