Southwest Airlines has stopped flying from two of America’s busiest airports. From 4 June 2026, the low-cost carrier no longer serves Chicago O’Hare or Washington Dulles, and the final Southwest flights from both airports departed the day before. The move ends a roughly five-year experiment at two major hubs.
Why Southwest is leaving
Southwest moved into O’Hare and Dulles around five years ago, hoping to attract business travellers at two large hub airports. The experiment proved difficult. Both airports are expensive to operate from and have a limited number of take-off and landing slots, which made it hard for Southwest to run the quick, simple turnarounds that its low-fare model depends on. A company spokesperson admitted that operating at O’Hare had been “challenging.” Rather than keep losing money, the airline chose to pull out completely and concentrate on airports where it can move passengers quickly and keep its costs down.
The exit, announced on 13 March 2026, is part of a wider shift at Southwest. In recent months the carrier has ended its famous open-seating policy and begun charging for checked bags — changes that bring it noticeably closer to its larger rivals. Leaving O’Hare and Dulles is another clear sign that the airline is rethinking how it competes, after years of trying to grow at airports that never quite suited its business.
What it means for travellers
Passengers in Chicago and Washington still have Southwest options, just at different airports. In Chicago, the airline will keep all of its flights at Midway International, its long-standing base in the city. In the Washington area, travellers can switch to Baltimore/Washington International or Reagan Washington National, where Southwest continues to operate a full schedule.
Customers who had already booked a Southwest flight from O’Hare or Dulles on or after 4 June need to change their plans. The airline is allowing them to rebook, or to fly standby, within 14 days of their original travel date without paying any difference in fare. Anyone who is unsure about an existing booking should check the Southwest website or mobile app before heading to the airport.
Key vocabulary:
- low-cost carrier – an airline that keeps ticket prices low by reducing or charging separately for extra services.
- slot – official permission to use a runway for a single take-off or landing at a set time.
- hub – a large airport that an airline uses as a base to connect many of its flights.
- turnaround – the work of preparing an aircraft for its next flight after it lands.
- to pull out – to stop operating in a particular place or market.
CEFR Level B2 / ICAO Level 5