Final boarding call.
Southwest Airlines is set to end service to two significant U.S. airports as part of its ongoing network enhancement efforts.
The budget airline announced that it will halt flights to and from Chicago O’Hare International and Washington Dulles International starting June 4. This decision was made public in a statement released on Friday.
Despite these changes, Southwest reassured that there won’t be major disruptions in the area, as flights will continue from Midway International (MDW) in Chicago, Baltimore-Washington International (BWI), and Reagan Washington National (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia.
“Southwest has a proud 41-year history with MDW and continues to be dedicated to investing in Chicago,” the airline emphasized, noting that it will still provide flights to 81 destinations from the Chicago hub.
Additionally, the airline will maintain 271 flights to 79 destinations from both Washington-area airports.
“As the largest airline in the Washington area by passenger volume, Southwest Airlines is committed to serving this vital market,” the press release stated.
Southwest started flights from O’Hare in 2021 as part of its expansion following the pandemic, while operations at Dulles began in 2006.
All frontline staff affected by these changes at O’Hare and Dulles will be given a chance to explore job openings at other airports within the company.
Passengers in the New York metro area should not experience any impact from this development, as Southwest operates from various airports in New York to regional airports in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
Currently, Southwest Airlines serves 123 airports across 42 states and 11 countries.
In January, the airline implemented significant changes to its passenger policy, moving away from its traditional unreserved seating. Now, Southwest customers can choose their own seats, replacing the previous system.
