Southwest Airlines (SWA) once had arguably the most loyal following of any airline. Unfortunately, the Dallas-based carrier has lost its way over the last year or so. Once Elliott Investment Management, an activist hedge fund, gained seats on its board, the airline began turning everything upside down in pursuit of a stronger return on investment. This has included ending its long-standing “two bags fly free” policy, introducing a Basic Economy fare, getting rid of open seating and more.
Now it appears they’re not done.
Southwest Airlines just announced it will soon discontinue service at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport (ORD). In a statement to NBC Chicago, the company confirmed it would “discontinue service to Chicago O’Hare” beginning June 4.
“Operating at Chicago O’Hare continues to be challenging, and we are confident we can serve Chicagoland through Chicago Midway,” the statement read. “Our robust service from our longtime base at Midway will continue to serve more than 80 destinations, including the 15 markets we served from O’Hare. Southwest remains committed to providing its signature hospitality to our customers in Chicagoland.”
Southwest only launched service at O’Hare in 2021, as its bread-and-butter Chicago airport has long been the “nearby” (26-mile-away) Chicago Midway International Airport. At Midway, the airline will continue operating up to 244 daily departures, and all affected ORD employees will “have the opportunity to bid for open positions across our network, including at MDW.”
Meanwhile, O’Hare is currently in the middle of a $6 billion renovation, which will include the construction of a new global terminal to replace Terminal 2.
The announcement also comes as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has called for a potential reduction in flights at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, though it’s unclear whether that played a role in Southwest’s decision.
Southwest Airlines has announced that it will discontinue service to O’Hare Airport this year.
Read more: https://t.co/2RsYlmHJRZ pic.twitter.com/3anbnIMTWQ
— WGN TV News (@WGNNews) March 13, 2026
Comments from Chicago media giant WGN readers were not kind. Here’s a sampling:
@jsanchez1878: “All these years fighting to get in there, finally got their chance. But everything that leadership group touches is turning into dust.”
@SummerBree60136: “I truly believe this airline is self-sabotaging its own company. 🤔”
@JillRobiFangirl: “If you’re going to take it back @SouthwestAir, y’all need to ditch paid bags and go back to open seating and actual low airfares. Stop advertising ‘as low as $49!’ to places you know we don’t want. Go back to your roots.”
@profpjm: “They were always a Midway airline anyway. It’s better that way. Now go back to the old seating method.”
@MzPlaced7721: “There goes my pre-flight exercise mile-long walk through Terminal 5 😂”
@ChicagoFoo: “Southwest is a hot mess. They forgot who they are, and it shows.”
@legallymom2: “I didn’t even realize they had any flights out of O’Hare.”
Southwest’s decision to pull out of O’Hare underscores the airline’s ongoing identity crisis. Once celebrated for its loyal customer base and low‑friction travel experience, the carrier now faces criticism from longtime fans who feel it has strayed too far from its roots. While Midway will continue to serve Chicago travelers with robust service, the exit from O’Hare is a reminder that even the most iconic airlines must balance expansion ambitions with maintaining the trust and loyalty that built their reputation in the first place. For Chicago passengers who loved the convenience of O’Hare, it may be time to adjust their travel plans.
As someone who lived in Chicago for 14 years; and a former Southwest frequent flyer this does not surprise me. Especially with the current issues with O’Hare construction and passengers bailing on the airline [Southwest] due to all the recent policy changes. Including the recent changes to their policy for people “of size.” Rather than getting shamed publicly, I will fly another airline even if I wouldn’t have been called out and humiliated in public. There are enough things to worry about when traveling besides being called out for weight in public. I’ve also seen a number of people who paid to have seats in the front but overhead bin space is full and have to wait for everyone to get off the plane before they can get their bags. They need to reverse course soon IMO.
Just flew them this week out of Midway. I can tell you that once I use up all my credit, they will be at the bottom of my airline choice for future flights. Seating policy is terrible. The airline that was pretty much known for their fairness in treatment of customers has changed dramatically. Paying an extra $30-80 for an extra legroom seat gets you an extra snacks and a can of soda if you request a drink. What a crock of poop. We’re done with them.
I don’t care what Southwest Airlines does. I paid good money for first boarding and they let 3 wheelchairs and their entourages get seats ahead of me. Of course all the first seats were taken and of course the disabled were healed on the flight because they all easily walked off the plane. Southwest Airlines can take a flying leap for all I care.
Southwest is now competing solely on price and schedule against the giant carriers who have much more staying power. My thought is that Southwest will be bought out or go bankrupt within five years.
O’Hare is one of the most competitive airports in the U.S., so it makes sense that they’re focusing on Chicago Midway where they already have a strong presence. Still, it’s surprising to see them exit O’Hare after only starting service there in 2021. It will definitely be interesting to see how this affects travelers who preferred flying Southwest from ORD. ✈️