Travelers flying through Chicago will soon see fewer orange-and-blue planes at one of the city’s busiest airports. Southwest Airlines has announced it will officially stop operating flights at O’Hare International Airport beginning in early June, according to CBS Chicago.
According to the airline, the last day of service at O’Hare will be June 3, 2026. After that date, Southwest will move all of its Chicago-area operations to Chicago Midway International Airport, where the company has long maintained a major hub.
Southwest first began flying out of O’Hare in 2021 as part of an effort to expand its reach at one of the country’s busiest airports. However, the airline operated only a limited number of routes there compared to its much larger presence at Midway.
Airline officials say the move is part of a broader effort to streamline operations and focus on airports where Southwest already has a stronger footprint. O’Hare is heavily dominated by major carriers like American and United, making it a more competitive and congested environment for smaller operations.
Southwest said they are also ending service to Dulles International Airport in the Washington, D.C. area.
