Southwest Airlines gave the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) a Valentine’s Day gift with the launch of the Dallas-based carrier’s first-ever service at O’Hare International Airport. The new daily nonstop flights begin this morning, connecting passengers to Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, Nashville and Phoenix. Southwest will also offer Saturday-only service to Orlando from O’Hare starting March 13, 2021. Southwest has offered extensive service at Midway since March 1985, bringing travel opportunities and economic growth to the City’s communities. During peak seasons, the carrier offers 250 departures a day from Midway to 95 destinations, making Chicago the second-largest city in its system by capacity. The new service will utilize Boeing 737-700 aircraft with 143 seats each. Southwest will also employ 11 people for its ground operations at O’Hare. The inaugural flight is Southwest 382 from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), scheduled to arrive at O’Hare this morning before continuing on to Dallas Love Field.