Southwest Airlines to offer 20 flights a day from O’Hare starting Valentine’s Day

Chicago travelers will be able to fly Southwest Airlines out of O’Hare Airport beginning on Valentine’s Day,

The airline’s initial flight schedule from O’Hare has 20 daily departures to Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix and Nashville, Tennesee.

While the pandemic has limited flying, it allowed the airline to expand its services to O’Hare, the company said.

Southwest Vice President Andrew Watterson said the additional service is expected to help Southwest maintain its strong Chicago base while making it more convenient for new travelers to choose the airline.

During its 35 years in Chicago, Southwest has grown to become Midway’s largest airline while also employing more than 4,800 people in the city. Midway will remain Southwest’s primary Chicago airport, with up to 200 flights a day in the coming months, the company said.

Southwest is also initiating service from Colorado Springs Municipal Airport on March 11 with 13 daily departures.