Planning a trip with Southwest Airlines at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)? There is one important update travelers should know before heading to the airport. Southwest previously operated from Terminal 5 at O’Hare, but the airline suspended its scheduled ORD service effective June 4, 2026. Southwest continues serving the Chicago area through Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
Because older airport guides and search results may still show Southwest at Terminal 5, it is important to distinguish between the airline’s former O’Hare operation and its current Chicago service. This guide covers Southwest’s former ORD terminal, check-in and gate information, baggage, airport connections, transportation, and what passengers should do if they see ORD or Terminal 5 in older Southwest information.
Southwest Airlines at Chicago O’Hare – Quick Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Airline | Southwest Airlines |
| IATA Code | WN |
| Airport | Chicago O’Hare International Airport |
| Airport Code | ORD |
| Former ORD Terminal | Terminal 5 |
| Former Concourse | Concourse M |
| Current ORD Status | Operations suspended |
| Suspension Date | June 4, 2026 |
| Current Chicago Airport | Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) |
| City | Chicago, Illinois |
Southwest previously operated from Terminal 5 at O’Hare. The Chicago Department of Aviation’s historical information also documents Southwest’s Terminal 5 operation.
Does Southwest Airlines Still Fly From ORD?
Southwest Airlines operates Terminal 5 from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
This means passengers should not travel to O’Hare simply because an older webpage says Southwest uses Terminal 5. If you currently have a Southwest reservation for a Chicago-area flight, check the airport code on your booking carefully.
- ORD = Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- MDW = Chicago Midway International Airport
Southwest’s current route information lists Chicago Midway separately from its former Chicago O’Hare-Terminal 5 listing.
What Terminal Did Southwest Use at O’Hare?
Before ending its ORD service, Southwest Airlines operated from Terminal 5 at O’Hare.
Terminal 5 is O’Hare’s separate international terminal and contains Concourse M. Current O’Hare facility data lists Terminal 5 and Concourse M as part of the airport’s passenger-terminal system.
Southwest began operating from Terminal 5 in 2021. O’Hare’s own planning documentation identified Southwest as one of the domestic airlines moving into the expanded Terminal 5.
Today, however, Terminal 5 should not be considered an active Southwest departure terminal.
Southwest ORD Terminal Map – Where Was It Located?
O’Hare currently has four passenger terminals:
- Terminal 1
- Terminal 2
- Terminal 3
- Terminal 5
Terminal 5 is separated from Terminals 1, 2, and 3. During Southwest’s O’Hare operation, passengers used Terminal 5 for Southwest departures and related airport services.
If you are searching online for a Southwest Airlines ORD terminal map, many older maps will still show Southwest in Terminal 5. Those maps describe the airline’s former operation and should not be treated as current departure information.
Which Gates Did Southwest Use at ORD?
Southwest previously operated from Terminal 5’s Concourse M.
Gate assignments could change according to airport operations and flight schedules, so passengers were expected to check their flight information before departure. O’Hare currently lists Concourse M as the concourse serving Terminal 5.
Since Southwest suspended ORD operations in June 2026, there are currently no active Southwest departure gates at O’Hare.
Southwest Airlines ORD Terminal Services
The following services were associated with Southwest’s former O’Hare operation or are relevant when researching its previous Terminal 5 setup:
| Service | Availability / Information |
|---|---|
| Southwest Check-In | Formerly available at Terminal 5 |
| Baggage Drop | Formerly available at Terminal 5 |
| Southwest Ticket Counter | Formerly available |
| Southwest Flight Departures | Suspended at ORD |
| Southwest Flight Arrivals | Suspended at ORD |
| Concourse M Gates | Former Southwest departure area |
| TSA Security | Terminal 5 security checkpoint |
| Airport Wi-Fi | Available at O’Hare |
| Charging Stations | Available throughout O’Hare |
| Dining | Available in Terminal 5 |
| Shopping | Available in Terminal 5 |
| Accessibility Services | Available at O’Hare |
| Terminal Transfer Bus | Available for eligible connecting passengers |
| Airport Transit System | Connects O’Hare terminals |
O’Hare provides charging stations throughout its terminals, while Terminal 5 also has accessibility facilities and other passenger amenities.
How Did Southwest Check-In Work at O’Hare?
When Southwest operated from ORD, passengers used Terminal 5 for airport check-in and baggage services.
Southwest’s current check-in system allows passengers to check in before departure and receive a mobile or printed boarding pass. However, because Southwest no longer operates scheduled flights from ORD, current Southwest passengers should follow the airport shown on their active reservation rather than relying on historical ORD instructions.
If your Southwest booking shows MDW, complete your airport check-in at Chicago Midway International Airport.
Southwest Airlines ORD Departures – What Changed?
Southwest departures from O’Hare are no longer operating.
Previously, a Southwest passenger at ORD would generally follow this process:
Terminal 5 → Southwest Check-In → Bag Drop → TSA Security → Concourse M → Departure Gate
That process applied when Southwest operated scheduled flights from O’Hare.
For current Southwest travel in Chicago, check your reservation carefully to determine whether your departure is from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
Southwest Airlines ORD Arrivals – Are They Still Operating?
Southwest no longer operates scheduled passenger arrivals at ORD.
Historically, Southwest arrivals were handled through Terminal 5. Travelers arriving at O’Hare through other airlines may still use Terminal 5’s baggage and transportation facilities, but Southwest passengers should not assume that a current Southwest Chicago flight arrives at ORD.
If you are picking up someone traveling with Southwest, confirm the airport code and current flight status before going to the airport.
What About Southwest Baggage at ORD?
Southwest’s former O’Hare operation included baggage services at Terminal 5.
For current travel, baggage procedures depend on the airport shown on the reservation. If your Southwest flight departs from MDW, complete baggage check-in and drop-off at Midway rather than O’Hare.
Southwest’s current baggage policy also varies by fare and traveler eligibility. Its current published U.S. mainland fee information lists different checked-bag charges by fare and qualifying status.
TSA Security at O’Hare Terminal 5
O’Hare operates TSA security checkpoints in its passenger terminals. Terminal 5 has its own security checkpoint, and current airport information lists Terminal 5 checkpoint operating information.
If you are flying another airline from Terminal 5, check the current checkpoint information before arriving.
For a Southwest passenger, however, the key point is that there is no current Southwest departure process through ORD Terminal 5.
Food, Shopping and Passenger Facilities at Terminal 5
Terminal 5 continues to serve passengers traveling on other airlines and offers dining, retail and passenger amenities.
O’Hare’s current facility information lists numerous food-and-beverage, retail, automated retail and service locations throughout the airport, including Terminal 5.
Travelers can find:
- Restaurants and cafés
- Grab-and-go food
- Retail stores
- Duty-free shopping
- Charging stations
- Restrooms
- Accessibility facilities
- Mother’s Rooms
- Service-animal relief areas
Terminal 5 currently has Mother’s Rooms at several locations within Concourse M, including Gates M8, M20, M32 and M37.
Can You Connect Between Southwest and Another Airline at ORD?
Yes, O’Hare provides connections between its passenger terminals, but the process depends on where you arrive and where your next flight departs.
O’Hare’s Terminal Transfer Bus operates for eligible connecting passengers between the core terminals and Terminal 5. A same-day departing boarding pass is required. The Terminal 5 pickup location is at Gate M13.
If a connection requires moving between Terminal 5 and the core terminals during certain overnight hours, passengers may need to leave the secure area, use the Airport Transit System, and go through TSA security again.
How Do You Get Around O’Hare?
O’Hare provides several ways to move around the airport.
Airport Transit System
The Airport Transit System, or ATS, connects the airport terminals and other airport facilities.
Terminal Transfer Bus
The Terminal Transfer Bus provides an airside connection for eligible connecting passengers between Terminal 5 and Terminals 1 and 3. A boarding pass is required.
Walking
Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are connected within the core terminal complex, while Terminal 5 is separated from them.
Southwest Chicago Airport – ORD vs MDW
One of the biggest sources of confusion for Southwest travelers is the difference between O’Hare and Midway.
| Airport | Code | Southwest Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago O’Hare International Airport | ORD | Southwest operations suspended |
| Chicago Midway International Airport | MDW | Southwest Chicago airport |
Southwest continues to list Chicago Midway among its Chicago destinations, while its route information identifies the former Chicago O’Hare-Terminal 5 service separately.
Before leaving for the airport, look at your boarding pass and confirm whether it says ORD or MDW.
Southwest ORD Terminal – Important Things to Know
If you are researching Southwest Airlines at ORD because you found older information online, keep these points in mind:
- Southwest previously operated from Terminal 5.
- Southwest’s former ORD operation used the Concourse M area.
- Southwest suspended ORD operations on June 4, 2026.
- Terminal 5 remains an active O’Hare terminal for other airlines.
- Southwest passengers traveling in the Chicago area should verify whether their flight departs from MDW.
- Do not rely solely on older Southwest ORD terminal maps or articles.
- Always check your current Southwest reservation and flight status before leaving for the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Southwest Airlines previously operated from Terminal 5 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
No. Southwest suspended its scheduled O’Hare operations effective June 4, 2026.
Southwest previously operated from Terminal 5, with flights using the Concourse M area.
Southwest currently serves Chicago through Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) rather than O’Hare.
Not for a current Southwest scheduled flight. Southwest no longer operates scheduled passenger service from ORD.
Yes. Terminal 5 remains an active passenger terminal at O’Hare and serves other airlines.
Treat that as historical information. Check your current Southwest reservation and confirm whether your flight is departing from ORD or MDW.
ORD is Chicago O’Hare International Airport, while MDW is Chicago Midway International Airport. Southwest currently uses Midway for its Chicago service.
Final Thoughts
Southwest Airlines and Chicago O’Hare have an important recent change that travelers should know about. Southwest previously operated from Terminal 5 at ORD, but its O’Hare service was suspended on June 4, 2026.
Terminal 5 remains an active part of O’Hare, but it should no longer be treated as a current Southwest departure terminal. If you are flying Southwest in the Chicago area, check your reservation carefully and confirm whether your airport is Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
Checking the airport code before leaving home can help prevent one of the easiest mistakes to make when traveling around Chicago: arriving at O’Hare when your Southwest flight actually departs from Midway.