Southwest Airlines Cuts Massive 68 Routes: See All Changes Now [Map]

Southwest Airlines is reshaping its network for the third quarter of 2026 by cutting 68 routes compared with the same period in 2025. An analysis of its scheduled nonstop service for July through September 2026 shows removals across major hubs including Chicago O’Hare (ORD), St. Louis (STL) and Denver (DEN). The biggest pullbacks include Atlanta (ATL)–New York LaGuardia (LGA) with 694 departures in Q3 2025, followed by DEN–ORD (534) and DEN–Washington Dulles (IAD) (496). Southwest is also adding 67 routes, leaving a net decrease of just one route overall. The carrier is also changing its seating strategy, introducing assigned seating and extra-legroom products from Jan. 27, 2026.