Southwest Airlines to end service at O’Hare, shift Chicago flights to Midway
Why Southwest Airlines is ending O’Hare service
Southwest Airlines plans to stop flying out of O’Hare International Airport and instead focus its Chicago operations at Midway. A transportation expert explains how competition with United and American at O’Hare, airline restructuring, and federal concerns about airport congestion could shape flight availability and travel costs in Chicago.
CHICAGO - Southwest Airlines will discontinue service at O'Hare International Airport beginning this summer.
What we know:
The last day Southwest will operate out of the Northwest Side airport will be June 4.
In a statement, Southwest Airlines said the decision is part of its ongoing effort to streamline operations. The airline cited complexities of operating at O'Hare and said it continues to serve the Chicago region through its longtime hub at Midway International Airport.
Southwest said its Midway operation will offer up to 244 daily departures and serve more than 80 nonstop destinations.
Southwest Airlines to end service at O’Hare
Southwest Airlines will discontinue service at O'Hare International Airport beginning this summer.
The airline noted that the 15 markets it currently serves from O’Hare will continue to be available from Midway.
Southwest also announced it will end service at Washington Dulles International Airport on the same day.
The airline has operated at Midway for 41 years while it has only operated at O'Hare since 2021.
Southwest said customers traveling on or before June 3 will not be impacted. Travelers with reservations that include O’Hare on or after June 4 will need to make changes to their plans.
What you can do:
Customers can rebook or travel standby within 14 days of their original travel date without paying a fare difference, according to the airline. Southwest said alternate airport options for affected Chicago travelers include Chicago Midway, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and Indianapolis International Airport.
A Southwest Airlines airplane taxies from a gate at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on October 11, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. Southwest Airlines is working to catch up on a backlog after canceling hundreds of flights ov
Most customers can reschedule their travel online or through the Southwest mobile app. The airline said customers are also eligible for refunds for the unused portion of their ticket — even if it was non-refundable — and refunds may also apply to optional travel charges such as extra legroom seats or priority boarding for flights not taken.
Travelers with Getaways by Southwest vacation packages are asked to call 1-833-792-4899 for assistance.
Southwest said employees affected by the closure of O’Hare operations will be able to bid for open positions throughout the airline’s network, including jobs at Midway.
The Source: The information in this report came from Southwest Airlines.