Trending Now - Southwest Airlines Shifts Focus, Ends O'hare Flights
WHO:
Joe Schwieterman, a transportation expert at DePaul University
Southwest Airlines, a Dallas-based carrier
Bob Jordan, CEO of Southwest Airlines
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA)
WHAT:
Southwest Airlines had two direct daily flights to O'Hare and one direct daily flight to Dulles from Phoenix.
Southwest will serve the Washington, D.C. area with 271 flights to 79 nonstop destinations from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The last day of service to, from, or through Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) will be June 3, 2026.
Affected employees will have the opportunity to bid for open positions across the Southwest network, including at Midway International Airport (MDW).
Southwest operates more than 90% of the departures from Midway International Airport (MDW) in 2026.
Southwest Airlines will end service to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) on June 4, 2026.
Customers booked on flights after June 4, 2026, will have their flights canceled and will be offered rebooking or refund options.
Southwest operates up to 244 daily departures from Midway International Airport (MDW) and serves over 80 nonstop destinations.
WHERE:
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois
Dulles International Airport (IAD), Washington, D.C.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Maryland
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington, D.C.
Midway International Airport (MDW), Chicago, Illinois
WHEN:
Service to ORD and IAD will end on June 4, 2026.
Southwest began flying to ORD in 2021.
Southwest has a 41-year history at MDW.
WHY:
A spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Aviation stated that O'Hare can handle 2,800 flights a day and argued against a proposal from the FAA to limit flights to 2,400 a day, claiming it would lead to significant disruption.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority expressed disappointment over the airline ending service, stating, "We hope Southwest will return to Dulles in the future."
The decision to exit ORD and IAD is part of Southwest's "ongoing efforts to refine its network" and is financially driven, as stated by Bob Jordan.
Operating at Chicago O'Hare has been described as "challenging" by Southwest.
HOW:
Customers can get refunds for canceled flights through Southwest's website or the Southwest app.
Travelers booked to IAD can change their flights to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), or Richmond International Airport (RIC).
Travelers booked to ORD can change their flights to Midway International Airport (MDW), Indianapolis International Airport (IND), or Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE).
Southwest is offering travelers booked to IAD the option to change flights to BWI, DCA, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), or Richmond International Airport (RIC).
Travelers booked to ORD can change flights to MDW, Indianapolis International Airport (IND), or Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE).
(UPDATED March 14, 2026 11:03 UTC)
Southwest Airlines is expanding its service in the Washington, D.C. area, offering 271 flights to 79 nonstop destinations from both Baltimore/Washington International and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Aviation has pushed back against a proposal from the FAA to limit flights at O'Hare, arguing that the airport can efficiently handle 2,800 flights a day without disruption. Customers affected by canceled flights can easily obtain refunds through Southwest's website or app.
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(UPDATED March 14, 2026 05:23 UTC)
Southwest Airlines has announced that the last day of service to, from, or through Chicago O'Hare International Airport will be June 3, 2026, and affected employees will have the chance to bid for open positions across the airline's network, including at Midway International Airport. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority expressed disappointment over the airline's decision to end service, hoping for a future return to Dulles. Travelers with bookings to Dulles can change their flights to Baltimore/Washington International, Ronald Reagan Washington National, Philadelphia International, or Richmond International airports, while those with tickets to O'Hare can switch to Midway, Indianapolis, or Milwaukee airports.
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(UPDATED March 14, 2026 01:28 UTC)
Southwest Airlines, led by CEO Bob Jordan, has announced that it will end service to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and Dulles International Airport on June 4, 2026, as part of its efforts to refine its network. Customers with flights booked after that date will have their reservations canceled and will be offered options for rebooking or refunds, while those booked to Dulles can switch to nearby airports like Baltimore/Washington International or Philadelphia International. The airline, which operates up to 244 daily departures from Midway International Airport, has described its experience at O'Hare as "challenging" since it began flying there in 2021.