The Factors That Led To Southwest Airlines' Unsurvivability At Chicago & Houston's Largest Airports

Southwest’s attempts to operate at Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) have ended, driven by network constraints and market performance issues. Southwest entered O’Hare on February 14, 2021 with 20 daily departures, after pandemic conditions left gates available at airports typically difficult for it to access. It returned to IAH the same year following a 16-year absence, but service ended August 4, 2024. At O’Hare, Southwest held roughly 1.9% of the market against hub carriers, and the airline said operations there were “challenging.” O’Hare departures will stop June 4 after an end-of-service notice on March 13, 2026, alongside an exit from Washington Dulles (IAD).