Wings from the Windy City: What Airlines Fly Out of MDW?

State-side airports serving thousands of passengers per year, Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) remains a crucial hub for low-cost carriers. When you intend to travel from the Southwest Side of Chicago, you need to know which airlines fly out of Chicago Midway Airport. The airlines that operate here, their routes, and services. The ways they enhance the airport’s appeal are detailed ahead. Here are some airlines that operate from Chicago Midway Airport. 

Southwest Airlines – MDW’s Dominant Carrier

Southwest Airlines continues to hold the top spot at Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). For travelers looking to utilize Southwest’s extensive domestic network, MDW provides a convenient alternative hub.

Statics and Market Share	Destinations & Network	Excellence in operations
Between August 2023 and July 2024, Southwest held a 90.5 percent market share, serving over 18.6 million passengers. Southwest made 5,409 departures in January 2025, translating into approximately 174 flights every day.	Daily departures stand at around 250 to 79 destinations. Some of the popular routes include New York-LaGuardia, Denver, and Las Vegas, among other destinations. They operate vacation and business sites going to the Caribbean, Mexico, and the US, including Cancun, Punta Cana, and Montego Bay.	Out of 17,155 flights during the three-month period, 81% were on time, with an average delay of 13 minutes. Operations made use of Concourses A and B, while Concourse B is dedicated to Southwest use.

Frontier Airlines – Green & Affordable

Frontier Airlines is a popular option for travelers on a tight budget due to its extremely low fares and environmentally friendly initiatives. However, travelers wishing to fly with Frontier will need to consider other nearby airports.

• Market share: 1.28 million passengers, or around 6.22%.
• Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Orlando, Tampa, and Kansas City are among the domestic locations to which Frontier offers flights.
• Puerto Vallarta and Cancún are examples from other countries.
• Terminal: Next to Avelo on Concourse C.
• Renowned for having extremely cheap tickets, with additional fees applied.

Regional Connectivity with Delta Air Lines

From Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Delta Air Lines offers limited regional connectivity, primarily to Atlanta (ATL), Indianapolis (IND), and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). These flights may not run every day and are only scheduled on specific days. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) offers a more extensive network for travelers looking for more domestic and international connections, with Delta providing a large number of flights to a variety of destinations.

• 1.46% of the market (300,000 passengers).
• Atlanta (hub), Minneapolis/St. Paul and international services to Cancún are the destinations.
• Works out of Concourse A.
• A full-service airline that provides additional facilities, frequent flyer benefits (SkyMiles), and bundled rates.

Seasonal Vacation Travel with Allegiant Air

Phoenix, Las Vegas, Florida, and portions of Mexico and the Caribbean are among the sunny destinations served by this leisure-oriented airline. It operates from Concourse A and is usually seasonal. Low-cost, a la carte pricing strategy. 

Spirit Airlines – Ultra-Low-Cost

Spirit Airlines is based at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) and offers extremely affordable flights to numerous destinations. Passengers on a tight budget will find it a convenient option, as it offers reasonably priced flights to destinations such as Las Vegas, Orlando, Dallas, Houston, and Cancún. Check Spirit Airlines’ official website or get in touch with customer support for the latest up-to-date flight schedules and destinations.

• Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Miami, and Orlando are among the popular cities in the U.S. that they serve.
• Works out of Concourse A.
• The base fare model charges for seats, luggage, and other items, but has a low base ticket price.

Leisure Flights with Sun Country Airlines

In the past, Sun Country Airlines flew to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). However, in September 2015, this route was shut down. Sun Country Airlines does not currently operate flights from MDW. Sun Country’s central hub is MSP; therefore, passengers interested in flying with the airline may want to consider departing from there. For more information on Sun Country Airlines’ current routes and services, it is best to visit their official website or contact customer support.

• Provides seasonal routes to Minneapolis, Punta Cana, Montego Bay, and Cancun.
• Activities in Concourse A.
• Appeals to tourists seeking package discounts in popular resort areas.

Volaris – A Mexican Low-Cost Carrier

Volaris, a well-known low-cost airline based in Mexico with essential bases in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Tijuana. They offer flights to both local and international destinations across the Americas. It provides a variety of destinations, including cities in the US, Mexico, and Central America, along with affordable fares. The official Volaris website allows passengers to make direct flight reservations.

• Mexico City, León, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Durango, Guadalajara, and Morelia are all served by the low-cost airline Volaris.
• Volaris operates from Terminal A at MDW.
• Offers a reasonably priced entry point to various Mexican locations.

Porter Airlines – Premium Canada Link

Premium Canada Link, operated by Porter Airlines, offers flights out of Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) and provides service to Canada. It works out of Concourse A and is renowned for its value-added facilities, boutique lounge, and cozy regional service. 

Avelo Airlines: New Arrival, Low-Cost Domestic

Concourse C is a small regional low-cost airline with a small route network. Usually travels to a few U.S. locations; the timetable is determined by demand.

MDW Airline Summary Table

Southwest Airlines dominates Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), which offers a wide range of domestic flights at affordable prices. For tourists seeking additional airline options and destinations, it is a crucial alternative.

Airline	Terminal	Market Share (%)	Primary Destinations
Southwest	A & B	90.5	Domestic U.S., Cancun, Punta Cana, Montego Bay
Frontier	A & C	6.22	Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Orlando, Cancun
Delta	A	1.46	Atlanta, MSP, Cancún
Allegiant	A	Minor	Phoenix, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cancun
Spirit	A	Minor	Atlanta, Miami, Orlando
Sun Country	A	Minor	Seasonal Cancun, Montego Bay, Punta Cana
Volaris	A	Minor	International Guadalajara, Morelia, Mexico City
Porter	A	Minor	International Toronto
Avelo	C	Minor	Limited U.S. cities

Selecting the Ideal Airline for Yourself

Your travel requirements will determine which airline is best for you, including whether you value loyalty programs, convenient routes, or low prices. When making a reservation, consider factors such as flight schedule, destination preferences, and the overall trip experience.

Comfort vs. Budget

The leading airline at MDW, Southwest Airlines, offers affordable tickets and a user-friendly travel experience. The Club MDW lounge, developed by MDW for travelers seeking additional amenities, provides a more pleasant setting for those willing to invest a little more in their trip.

• Southwest, Frontier, Allegiant, Spirit, Avelo, and Volaris offer extremely low fares; however, additional surcharges apply for seats and bags.
• Full-service options include Porter and Delta (comfortable cabins, include facilities).
• Southwest offers free checked baggage and no change fees.

Places to Visit

Vibrant city attractions, including downtown Chicago, the Museum of Science & Industry, and stunning Lake Michigan beaches, are all conveniently accessible from Chicago Midway Airport. It’s a practical starting point for discovering the entertainment and rich culture of the Windy City.

• International (Caribbean & Mexico): Volaris, Frontier, and Southwest have the most significant reach.
• Canada: Porter provides a bespoke experience in Toronto.

Advice for Passengers  Taking a flight from MDW

Due to parking and security issues, travelers departing from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) should arrive early. If possible, consider using public transportation to make your trip to the airport easier. To prevent delays, it’s also advised to check flight status beforehand.

Verify the terminal	Frontier & Avelo in C; most others use A; Southwest spans A & B.
Anticipate delays	Southwest may experience cancellations during busy times; it may be safer to travel with just carry-on luggage.
Make advance plans	MDW offers fewer immigration and visa services.
Understand baggage rules	Carriers differ significantly from one another. Frontier and Spirit charge for carry-ons.
Monitor seasonal shifts	Airlines such as Allegiant, Sun Country, and Volaris adjust their routes in accordance with seasonal travel cycles.

Lastly, several significant domestic and low-cost airlines utilize Chicago Midway Airport as a central hub, with Southwest Airlines holding a prominent position. With a variety of airlines serving both business and leisure passengers, Midway Airport remains a significant entry point for domestic and regional air travel. To know more information regarding which airlines fly out of Chicago Midway Airport, get in touch without any hesitation!

Frequently Asked Questions