Southwest to end flights from Wichita to one US city, adds popular destination

An airline at Wichita’s Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is saying goodbye to one route and making room for a popular one.

Southwest Airlines is ending its route to St. Louis from 21 different airports, including Wichita. But starting March 5, 2026, travelers will have the option to fly directly out of Wichita to Chicago Midway International Airport using the lower-cost airline.

American Airlines and United Airlines already offer a nonstop flight to Chicago O’Hare International Airport from Wichita.

The addition of Southwest will increase opportunities for connecting flight options compared to the St. Louis route offering, a news release from the airport reads. Chicago Midway International Airport has 198 daily flights to 75 U.S. cities, as well as eight to international destinations.

Prices of direct flights from Wichita to Chicago can vary, but a search on Google Flights shows the lowest price flying American or United Airlines was $209 as of Aug. 20.

Southwest has also canceled its St. Louis routes from Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Charlotte and more.

Travelers flying out of Wichita should also find security a smoother process following a July change to Transportation Security Administration policy that allows them to leave their shoes on. Dwight D. Eisenhower and several other Kansas airports confirmed they implemented the change this summer.

Where can I fly to from Wichita?

Chicago is one of 16 nonstop destinations from Wichita, including four seasonal flights. Those destinations are:

• Miami (American Airlines)
• Orlando-Sandford, Fla. (Allegiant, seasonal)
• Destin, Fla. (Allegiant, seasonal)
• St. Petersburg, Fla. (Allegiant, seasonal)
• Los Angeles (Allegiant, seasonal)
• Seattle (Alaska)
• Las Vegas (Alaska and Southwest)
• Phoenix (American Airlines and Southwest)
• Denver (Southwest and United)
• Minneapolis (Delta)
• Dallas (American)
• St. Louis (Southwest, ending March 2026)
• Washington, D.C. (American)
• Houston (United)
• Atlanta (Delta)

This story was originally published August 20, 2025 at 10:01 AM.

Lindsay Smith

The Wichita Eagle

Lindsay Smith is a suburban news reporter for the Wichita Eagle, covering the communities of Andover, Bel Aire, Derby, Haysville and Kechi. She has been on The Eagle staff since 2022 and was the service journalism reporter for three years. She has a degree in communications with an emphasis in journalism from Wichita State, where she was editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Sunflower, for two years. You can reach her via email at lsmith@wichitaeagle.com.