Southwest Airlines to end flights at O'Hare and Dulles - MSN

Southwest Airlines announced the discontinuation of flights to and from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) effective June 4, 2026. The decision impacts travelers with reservations involving these airports on or after that date, requiring rebooking or refund requests. Customers may rebook flights or travel standby within 14 days of their original travel date without paying fare differences and are eligible for refunds, including for optional services like extra legroom or priority boarding, if tickets remain unused. Alternate airports for affected routes include Chicago Midway (MDW), Milwaukee (MKE), and Indianapolis (IND) for ORD travelers, while IAD passengers may use Reagan National (DCA), Baltimore/Washington International (BWI), Philadelphia (PHL), or Richmond (RIC) according to airline announcements.

The airline cited operational challenges at O’Hare and Dulles, emphasizing its commitment to serving Chicagoland through Midway, where it operates 244 daily departures to over 80 destinations. Employees impacted by the change will have opportunities to bid for open positions across Southwest’s network. The move aligns with broader industry discussions about reducing congestion at O’Hare during peak summer periods. Travelers with bookings before June 3, 2026, will not be affected. Southwest advises customers to use its mobile app or website to manage rebooking or refund requests. The decision reflects strategic adjustments to optimize network efficiency amid evolving market dynamics.