Chicago to Phoenix

Compare Chicago (ORD/MDW) to Phoenix (PHX) airfare across American, United, Southwest, and Spirit, track fare trends on this year-round sun route, and trade the Midwest winter for the desert in about 3 hours 15 minutes.
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Route

CHI–PHX

Distance

2317 KM

Flight Time

3H 15M

Weekly Flights

110+

Fares From

$55

Carriers

AA · UA · WN · NK

Compare & Book

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Phoenix — Compare Our Best Deals

With 110+ nonstop weekly departures across O’Hare and Midway, Chicago to Phoenix is a year-round sun route with strong winter demand. Browse one-way fares from $55, round-trip fares from $95, and compare American and United’s O’Hare schedules against Southwest’s Midway service and Spirit’s budget fares.

CHI Chicago ✈ PHX Phoenix
One Way

$55

per person, incl. taxes · nonstop · American, United, Southwest, Spirit
CHI Chicago ✈ PHX Phoenix
Round Trip

$95

per person, incl. taxes · nonstop · American, United, Southwest, Spirit
Who Flies This Route

Airlines with Flights from Chicago to Phoenix

This route runs nonstop from both Chicago airports year-round, with frequency increasing in winter as snowbird demand picks up.

AirlineBase / HubWeekly DeparturesFlight TimeCode
American AirlinesChicago O’Hare (ORD) hub~32 nonstop3h 10m – 3h 25mAA
United AirlinesChicago O’Hare (ORD) hub~28 nonstop3h 15mUA
Southwest AirlinesChicago Midway (MDW) base~35 nonstop3h 15mWN
Spirit AirlinesPhoenix (PHX) base~15 nonstop3h 20mNK
Route Insights

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Phoenix — Direct Flights, Duration & Best Travel Time

Data-backed insights on the CHI–PHX route to help you book smarter and time your trip well.

16

Daily Flights

Sept

Cheapest Month

3h 17m

Avg. Flight Duration

Feb

Peak Season

1,440 mi

Distance

100%

Nonstop Flights

What's the cheapest day to fly CHI → PHX?

Fare history shows Tuesday and Wednesday departures run cheapest, while Friday and Saturday run highest as winter snowbird and golf-trip traffic peaks.

What's the cheapest month to fly?

September, in the shoulder season before winter demand kicks in, tends to run cheapest, while February — peak snowbird and Cactus League season — sees the steepest average prices.

Good To Know

Insights About Flying from Chicago to Phoenix

Which is the high season to travel from Chicago to Phoenix?

January and February are peak season, as Midwest snowbirds and golf travelers head to the Valley of the Sun — expect higher fares and fuller flights.

Which is the low season to travel from Chicago to Phoenix?

September is typically the low season, before winter demand ramps up and after the intense summer desert heat has peaked.

How many daily flights are there between Chicago and Phoenix?

There are roughly 16 nonstop flights per day combined across O’Hare and Midway, spread over American, United, Southwest, and Spirit.

Which is the busiest day for passengers on this route?

Friday is typically busiest, as weekend golf and winter-getaway travelers head to Phoenix.

At what time does the last flight depart to Phoenix?

The last nonstop flight typically departs Chicago between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM, depending on the carrier and airport.

At what time does the earliest flight depart from Chicago?

The earliest nonstop departure leaves Chicago around 6:30 AM, landing in Phoenix by late morning local time.

What share of travelers are seasonal snowbirds?

An estimated 30% of winter Chicago–Phoenix flyers are seasonal residents staying for an extended period — one of the higher long-stay shares among Midwest routes.

What percentage of travelers booked business class?

Around 8% of travelers book a premium cabin on this route, split across American and United.

Why Phoenix

Why Fly to Phoenix from Chicago?

Phoenix is a year-round desert escape from Midwest winters — warm, dry, and golf-course-dense, with the Grand Canyon and Sedona both within reach.

01

Winter Sun & Golf

With near-guaranteed sunshine and over 200 golf courses in the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix is a top winter draw for Chicago travelers escaping the cold.

02

Sedona Red Rocks

The famous red-rock formations of Sedona are about a 2-hour drive north — a favourite day trip for hikers and photographers alike.

03

Grand Canyon South Rim

A long but doable day trip from Phoenix, or an easy overnight, puts one of the world’s great natural landmarks within reach of your flight.

04

Old Town Scottsdale

Upscale shopping, spas, and desert-modern dining sit just outside Phoenix proper — a favourite base for a longer winter stay.

05

Desert Botanical Garden

A striking introduction to Sonoran Desert plant life, best visited in the cooler morning or evening hours.

06

Cactus League Spring Training

Every March, Major League Baseball’s Cactus League brings spring training games across the Phoenix area — a big draw for Chicago Cubs and White Sox fans.

— Airport Guide

CHI & PHX — Quick Facts

Chicago O'Hare Intl

ICAO Code
KORD

Distance to Downtown Chicago

~27 km NW
Terminals
4

Alternate Airport

Midway (MDW), Southwest’s Chicago base

Transit to Downtown

~45 min, CTA Blue Line

Time Zone

Central (CT)

Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl

ICAO Code
KPHX

Distance to Downtown Phoenix

~5 km E
Terminals

3

Also Serves

Scottsdale, Tempe, the Valley

Time Zone Note

No DST — matches CT in summer

Time Zone

Mountain Standard (year-round)
— Save More

How to Find the Cheapest Chicago–Phoenix Fares

01

Book 4–6 Weeks Ahead for Winter Travel

Seasonal snowbird and golf demand pushes fares up fast in peak winter months — book further out than you would in shoulder season.

02

Fly Tuesday or Wednesday

Midweek departures are consistently cheaper than Friday or Saturday flights during peak winter travel periods.

03

Compare O’Hare and Midway

Southwest’s Midway fares and American/United’s O’Hare fares can differ significantly — check both airports before booking.

04

Travel in Shoulder Season

September and early October typically offer the best combination of price and availability before winter demand kicks in.

05

Set a Fare Alert

Winter capacity fills quickly on this route — an alert catches fare drops early, before peak-season pricing sets in.

06

Watch for Cactus League Dates

March spring-training games push Phoenix hotel and flight demand up — book early if your trip lines up with the schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

For winter travel, aim to book 4–6 weeks ahead as snowbird and golf demand fills seats early. Shoulder-season trips have more flexibility.
Yes, American, United, Southwest, and Spirit all operate scheduled nonstop service year-round, with a typical flight time of about 3 hours 15 minutes.
Southwest flies exclusively from Midway, while American, United, and Spirit primarily use O'Hare — compare fares at both since prices can differ notably.
Basic Economy and ultra-low-cost fares are the most restrictive. American and United's standard fares offer more flexibility; always check fare rules at checkout.
Book 4–6 weeks ahead, fly midweek, compare both Chicago airports, and travel in shoulder months like September if your dates are flexible.
No — Arizona doesn't observe DST, so the time difference from Chicago shifts between one and two hours depending on the season.
The Complete Guide

Everything to Know About Cheap Flights from Chicago to Phoenix

What to Expect
A Year-Round Desert Route with a Winter Peak

At roughly 1,440 miles, Chicago to Phoenix is a well-served nonstop with over 15 daily departures across two Chicago airports. Demand and fares both rise through the winter as Midwest snowbirds and golfers head south.

Budget Tips
What You’ll Actually Pay

One-way fares typically start around $55 and round-trips from $95, with prices rising through peak winter and easing in shoulder months. Comparing O’Hare and Midway departures usually finds the real best deal.

Booking Advice
Read the Fare Rules First

Spirit’s ultra-low base fares often exclude checked bags, carry-ons, and seat selection. Tally those extras before comparing against American, United, or Southwest.

Ready to Book Your Cheap Flight to Phoenix?

Compare American, United, Southwest, and Spirit, lock in your Chicago → Phoenix fare, and trade the cold for the sun. No booking fees — ever.

- Want to save more? -

Get the Best Unpublished Fares and Save $100 Extra

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