Last Updated on July 25, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is a compact airport on Chicago’s Southwest Side with one terminal complex and three connected concourses. As of July 26, 2026, scheduled passenger service at Midway is provided by Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Allegiant Air, Porter Airlines, and Volaris. Because routes change by season, travelers should always confirm the airport code and schedule before booking.
Quick Answer
The airlines flying from Chicago Midway Airport are Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Allegiant Air, Porter Airlines, and Volaris. Southwest operates the largest network. Frontier and Allegiant provide low-cost domestic service, Volaris flies to Mexico, and Porter serves Toronto until its MDW flights move to O’Hare on September 1, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Five scheduled passenger airlines currently serve Chicago Midway: Southwest, Frontier, Allegiant, Porter, and Volaris.
- Southwest is Midway’s main airline and offers the broadest selection of domestic and international routes.
- Volaris provides nonstop service from Midway to seven destinations in Mexico.
- Porter’s Toronto Billy Bishop flights are scheduled to move from Midway to O’Hare on September 1, 2026.
- Delta, American, United, Spirit, American Eagle, and Delta Connection are not part of Midway’s current scheduled passenger-airline roster.
- Airlines and seasonal routes can change, so verify the airport code and flight schedule directly with the airline.
Which Airlines Fly Out of Midway Airport?
The Chicago Department of Aviation reports that five airlines currently provide nonstop service from Midway. The following table summarizes their main roles at the airport.
| Airline | Service Type | Main Route Focus | Important Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | Low-cost passenger airline | Large domestic network plus selected international destinations | Midway’s largest airline by available service |
| Frontier Airlines | Ultra-low-cost passenger airline | Selected domestic routes | Optional bags, seats, and other services may cost extra |
| Allegiant Air | Ultra-low-cost leisure airline | Seasonal and limited-frequency vacation routes | Flights may operate only on selected days |
| Porter Airlines | Canadian passenger airline | Toronto Billy Bishop Airport | MDW service is scheduled to move to ORD on September 1, 2026 |
| Volaris | Mexican ultra-low-cost airline | Nonstop flights to Mexico | Operates from Concourse A at Midway |
As of July 2026, Midway has approximately 250 daily direct flights to 83 U.S. cities and approximately eight daily direct flights to nine international destinations.
Major Airline at Midway Airport
Southwest Airlines is the main carrier at Chicago Midway. The airline has served the airport since 1985 and describes MDW as its long-standing Chicago base. In 2026, Southwest said it would continue offering service from Midway to more than 80 destinations.
Southwest’s large schedule makes it the most useful MDW airline for travelers who need multiple departure times, nonstop domestic options, or connections through the airline’s broader network. Popular route availability changes throughout the year, so passengers should use the airline’s current booking calendar rather than relying on a static destination list.
Travelers should also review Southwest’s current fare rules, seat-selection process, baggage allowance, and boarding procedures before purchasing. Airline policies can change independently of the airport’s route network.
Low-Cost Carriers at Midway Airport
Midway is known for low-cost air service. In addition to Southwest, travelers can book selected routes with Frontier and Allegiant. These airlines can offer attractive base fares, but the lowest advertised fare may not include every service a passenger needs.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines operates selected domestic routes from Midway. Examples appearing in its 2026 booking schedule include service from MDW to cities such as Atlanta, Orlando, and Dallas/Fort Worth. Routes and operating days can change as Frontier adjusts its schedule.
Frontier uses an optional-service pricing model. Depending on the fare purchased, travelers may pay separately for a carry-on bag, checked bag, advance seat assignment, or other extras. Comparing the final trip price is more useful than comparing the base fare alone.
Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air focuses on nonstop leisure travel, often with fewer weekly departures than Southwest or Frontier. Its Midway schedule has included destinations such as Provo, Punta Gorda, Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Knoxville, Asheville, and Allentown.
Many Allegiant routes are seasonal or operate only on selected days. This model can work well for flexible vacation travelers, but it may provide fewer same-day alternatives if a flight is disrupted.
Pro Tip: Compare the complete cost of the flight after adding baggage, seat selection, and other required services. Also compare schedule frequency, especially when booking an airline that flies a route only a few times per week.
What to Compare Before Booking a Low-Cost Flight
- Carry-on allowance: A personal item and a full-size carry-on may be treated differently.
- Checked-bag price: Charges may change based on when the bag is purchased.
- Seat assignment: Selecting a specific seat may require an additional payment.
- Schedule frequency: Daily service usually offers more recovery options than a route operating twice per week.
- Change and cancellation rules: Read the conditions attached to the specific fare class.
- Airport code: Confirm that the itinerary says MDW rather than ORD.
Regional Airlines at Midway Airport
Midway does not currently advertise scheduled passenger service under regional brands such as American Eagle, Delta Connection, or United Express. SkyWest Airlines and Republic Airways may operate regional flights elsewhere on behalf of larger airlines, but they are not part of Midway’s current five-airline scheduled passenger roster.
This distinction matters because an airline operating a smaller aircraft is not automatically a regional airline. Travelers looking for American, Delta, or United itineraries in Chicago will usually find those carriers at O’Hare International Airport rather than Midway.
Note: Codeshares and connecting itineraries can display more than one airline name. Check the “operated by” line and the departure airport on every flight segment.
International Airlines and Flights at Midway Airport
Midway offers international service to Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean destinations. The airlines most relevant to international travelers are Volaris, Porter, and Southwest.
Volaris Flights to Mexico
Volaris is the Mexican airline currently providing the broadest Mexico-focused network from Midway. In June 2026, the airline launched nonstop service to San Luis Potosí, bringing its number of nonstop Midway destinations to seven.
Volaris’ seven MDW destinations in Mexico are:
- Aguascalientes
- Durango
- Guadalajara
- León/Guanajuato
- Morelia
- San Luis Potosí
- Zacatecas
Volaris is a low-cost airline, so passengers should check the allowance attached to their fare for checked baggage, cabin baggage, seats, and airport check-in services.
Porter Airlines Flights to Canada
Porter Airlines currently connects Midway with Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. However, Porter has announced that its Toronto Billy Bishop service will move from Midway to Chicago O’Hare on September 1, 2026.
Warning: Passengers traveling with Porter on or after September 1, 2026, should carefully check whether their ticket departs from MDW or ORD. The two Chicago airports are in different parts of the city and are not connected by an airport shuttle train.
Southwest International Flights
Southwest also operates selected international flights from Midway, including service to destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. Depending on the season, the schedule may include cities such as Cancún, Montego Bay, and Punta Cana.
International destinations and frequencies can change more often than major domestic routes. Check the airline’s current route map and booking calendar before planning around a particular nonstop flight.
Cargo Airlines at Midway Airport
Midway’s official airline information does not list FedEx Express or UPS Airlines as scheduled dedicated cargo carriers at the airport. Instead, scheduled passenger airlines can transport smaller cargo shipments in the available cargo space aboard regular passenger flights.
This type of cargo is commonly called belly cargo because it travels in the aircraft’s lower hold along with checked baggage. Businesses that need to ship goods through Midway should contact the relevant passenger airline’s air-freight department to confirm acceptance rules, size limits, schedules, and handling arrangements.
Midway Terminal and Concourse Layout
Midway has one passenger terminal complex with three concourses:
- Concourse A
- Concourse B
- Concourse C
The airport had 43 gates as of January 2025. All three concourses are connected behind security, so a domestic passenger can generally walk between them without leaving the secure area. Gate and ticket-counter assignments can still change, so use the airline app, boarding pass, and airport flight-information screens on the day of travel.
Volaris identifies Concourse A for its Midway departures. Other airline and gate assignments should be confirmed directly because operational needs can cause changes.
Pro Tip: Search for flights using the airport code MDW. A general search for “Chicago flights” may mix Midway results with O’Hare flights, which use the code ORD.
Current and Upcoming Airline Changes at Midway
Midway’s airline schedule continues to change as carriers add, remove, or shift routes. Two confirmed 2026 developments are especially important:
- Volaris added San Luis Potosí: The new route began on June 2, 2026, and became the airline’s seventh nonstop destination from Midway.
- Porter is moving to O’Hare: Porter’s Toronto Billy Bishop service is scheduled to move from MDW to ORD on September 1, 2026.
The airport’s major $400 million Midway Modernization Program was completed in 2023. That program expanded the security area, improved concessions, and rebuilt the Central Market. The Club MDW, the airport’s first shared-use passenger lounge, opened in 2024.
Future airline growth should not be assumed until a carrier or the Chicago Department of Aviation announces a route. Seasonal schedules can also make an airline appear or disappear from a particular destination without the carrier leaving Midway entirely.
Which Midway Airline Is Best for Your Trip?
| Travel Need | Airline to Check First | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Broad domestic route selection | Southwest | It operates Midway’s largest schedule and serves more destinations than the other MDW airlines. |
| Low advertised domestic fare | Frontier | It offers selected domestic routes with optional add-on services. |
| Seasonal leisure destination | Allegiant | Its route network focuses on nonstop vacation travel. |
| Nonstop travel to Mexico | Volaris | It serves seven Mexican destinations from Midway. |
| Toronto Billy Bishop before September 2026 | Porter | It provides direct access to Toronto’s downtown airport before moving its Chicago operation to ORD. |
The Diversity of Airlines at Midway Airport
Midway’s airline selection is smaller than O’Hare’s, but it covers several important travel needs. Southwest provides a large domestic network and selected international routes. Frontier and Allegiant expand the airport’s low-cost domestic options. Volaris connects Chicago with several Mexican cities, while Porter provides Toronto service until its scheduled move to O’Hare.
The most important step is to verify current information before purchasing a ticket. Check the airline, flight date, route frequency, baggage rules, and airport code. This is especially important for seasonal Allegiant and Frontier routes and for Porter itineraries near the September 1, 2026 airport transition.
If you are planning a trip out of Midway Airport, you may also find this guide to 5 Must-Have Portable Water Bottles for Your Spring 2025 Adventures useful while preparing for your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What airlines fly out of Midway Airport?
As of July 26, 2026, the scheduled passenger airlines at Chicago Midway are Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Allegiant Air, Porter Airlines, and Volaris.
Which airline has the most flights from Midway?
Southwest Airlines has the largest presence at Midway and offers the airport’s broadest network of destinations and departure times.
Are there international flights from Midway Airport?
Yes. Midway has international flights to destinations in Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Volaris, Porter, and Southwest provide the airport’s main international service, although Porter is scheduled to move its MDW operation to O’Hare on September 1, 2026.
Which low-cost airlines operate at Midway?
Southwest, Frontier, Allegiant, and Volaris are generally categorized as low-cost or ultra-low-cost airlines. Their baggage, seat-selection, and optional-service policies differ, so compare the total booking cost.
Do American, Delta, United, or Spirit fly from Midway?
No. These airlines are not part of Midway’s current scheduled passenger roster. Travelers looking for their Chicago flights should search O’Hare International Airport, using the airport code ORD.
Is Porter Airlines leaving Midway Airport?
Yes. Porter has announced that its Toronto Billy Bishop service will move from Chicago Midway to Chicago O’Hare on September 1, 2026. Check the airport code carefully when booking or traveling near that date.
Do regional airlines operate from Midway?
Midway does not currently list scheduled service under regional brands such as American Eagle, Delta Connection, or United Express. Its scheduled passenger service is provided by the five airlines listed above.
Do FedEx and UPS operate cargo flights from Midway?
Midway’s official airline directory does not list FedEx or UPS as scheduled dedicated cargo airlines. Scheduled passenger airlines may transport smaller cargo shipments aboard their regular passenger flights.
Sources
- Chicago Department of Aviation: Your Flight at Midway — current airline count, overall destination coverage, and international markets.
- Chicago Department of Aviation: Midway Nonstop Service — July 2026 daily-flight and destination totals.
- Chicago Department of Aviation: Facility Data — gate, runway, and airport-facility information.
- Southwest Airlines Newsroom — Southwest’s 2026 commitment to Midway and service to more than 80 destinations.
- Porter Airlines — September 1, 2026 move from Midway to O’Hare.
- Chicago Department of Aviation: Volaris San Luis Potosí Launch — Volaris’ seventh nonstop destination from Midway.
