Southwest to End Flights from Chicago's O'Hare Airport

Departure will impact summer travel plans, say experts

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:20pm

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Southwest Airlines has announced it will cease all flights from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in the coming months, a move that transportation experts say will significantly impact summer travel plans for many passengers in the region.

Why it matters

O'Hare is a major hub for air travel in the Midwest, and Southwest has been a key carrier at the airport for decades. The airline's departure will reduce competition and potentially lead to higher fares and fewer flight options for travelers looking to fly in and out of Chicago this summer.

The details

Southwest has operated flights at O'Hare since the 1980s, but the airline has decided to shift its focus to its other Chicago-area airport, Midway International. Experts say the move is likely driven by cost-cutting measures and a desire to consolidate operations, but it will leave a void at O'Hare that other carriers may struggle to fill on short notice.

  • Southwest will cease all flights from O'Hare in the coming months.

The players

Joe Schwieterman

A transportation expert and professor at DePaul University who has analyzed the impact of Southwest's departure from O'Hare.

Southwest Airlines

A major U.S. airline that has operated flights from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport for decades.

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What they’re saying

“This is expected to have a major impact on people's summer plans”

— Joe Schwieterman, Transportation expert and professor (fox32chicago.com)

What’s next

Experts say other airlines will likely need to add more flights from O'Hare to accommodate the increased demand, but it remains to be seen if they can do so quickly enough to avoid disruptions to summer travel.

The takeaway

The departure of Southwest from O'Hare Airport will leave a significant void in air travel options for Chicago-area residents and visitors, potentially leading to higher fares, fewer flight choices, and disruptions to summer vacation plans.