March 14, 2026 — Southwest Airlines announced it will discontinue all service to, from, and through Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) effective June 4, 2026, as part of efforts to refine its network.
The decision comes after operations at O’Hare proved “challenging” for the carrier, according to the airline. Southwest emphasized that the move will not significantly impact access to Chicago or the Washington, D.C., area, as it will maintain service through Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Customer Impact
Flights booked to or from ORD or IAD after June 4, 2026, will be automatically canceled. Affected customers can request full refunds through Southwest’s website or mobile app, as stated in the airline’s official update.
Employee Considerations
Employees impacted by the service cuts will have the opportunity to bid for other open positions within the company, according to reports from 14 News and KTAR News.
Background and Coverage
The announcement, made late on March 13 or March 14, 2026, was covered by multiple outlets including ABC7 Chicago, The Points Guy, and Dallas News. Early social media mentions included a post on X linking to Chicago Tribune coverage.
Additional reports from FOX5 DC, CBS Chicago, AZFamily, and KCBD confirmed the details of the network adjustments.
Southwest Airlines to discontinue service to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington Dulles (IAD) airports effective June 4, 2026, aligns with broader strategies to optimize operations amid competitive pressures at major hubs.
