Southwest ditching Chicago O’Hare, Dulles flights

Monday, 16 Mar, 2026 0

Southwest Airlines is pulling all services out of major hubs Chicago-O’Hare International Airport and Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C.

The operational shift is to ‘refine services’ the airline said.

It takes affect staring in early June 2026.

It won’t significantly affect travel to Chicago or the nation’s capital.

Southwest Airlines already has established bases at Chicago Midway International and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

It also flies into Reagan Washington National Airport.

Southwest expanded its Chicago operations in 2021, flying to O’Hare, however the unrelenting fight for dominance between United and American Airlines has made Chicago O’Hare Airport somewhat overcrowded.

Southwest has announced various options for travel out of the Chicago area from June 4.

Customers can rebook or travel on standby at Chicago Midway or be rebooked to fly from nearby Milwaukee or Indianapolis.

Customers can also request a refund.

 



 

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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.



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