Southwest Airlines Ending Flights at Chicago O'Hare in June

Airline cites airport capacity concerns as FAA considers flight caps at busy hub

Mar. 14, 2026 at 4:05am

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Southwest Airlines has announced it will discontinue service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, with the last flights scheduled for June 3, 2026. The decision comes amid growing concerns about O'Hare's capacity, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering limiting the number of flights allowed daily at the airport.

Why it matters

Southwest's departure from O'Hare highlights the broader challenge of operating efficiently at increasingly congested airports. The potential FAA flight caps underscore the need for proactive strategies to manage capacity and minimize disruptions, especially during adverse weather conditions.

The details

The FAA is considering limiting the number of flights allowed daily at O'Hare to 2,400, lower than the Chicago Department of Aviation's claim that the airport can handle 2,800 flights per day. Transportation expert Joe Schwieterman suggests the potential for mandated flight reductions played a role in Southwest's decision, as the airline has a smaller presence at O'Hare compared to United and American Airlines, making it more vulnerable to the impact of cuts.

  • Southwest's last flights at O'Hare will be on June 3, 2026.
  • The FAA is considering limiting the number of daily flights at O'Hare to 2,400.

The players

Southwest Airlines

An American airline that has announced it will discontinue service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency that is considering limiting the number of flights allowed daily at O'Hare International Airport.

Joe Schwieterman

A transportation expert at DePaul University who suggests the potential for mandated flight reductions played a role in Southwest's decision to exit O'Hare.

Chicago Department of Aviation

The agency that claims O'Hare International Airport can handle 2,800 flights per day, a higher number than the FAA's proposed cap of 2,400 flights.

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What they’re saying

“Southwest is seeing that there could be a big headache at O'Hare.”

— Joe Schwieterman, Transportation expert, DePaul University (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The FAA is expected to make a decision on the proposed flight cap at O'Hare in the coming months, which could further impact airline operations at the busy airport.

The takeaway

Southwest's exit from O'Hare underscores the growing challenge of airport congestion and the need for proactive strategies to manage capacity and minimize disruptions for travelers. As the FAA considers flight caps, airlines with a smaller presence at O'Hare may be more vulnerable to the impact of these changes.