Chicago to Los Angeles
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CHI–LAX
Distance
2808 KM
Flight Time
4H 05M
Weekly Flights
180+
Fares From
$59
Carriers
AA · UA · DL · WN · NK
Cheap Flights from Chicago to Los Angeles — Compare Our Best Deals
With 180+ nonstop weekly departures across O’Hare and Midway, Chicago to Los Angeles is one of the busiest transcontinental routes in the country. Browse one-way fares from $59, round-trip fares from $109, and compare the major full-service carriers against Southwest and Spirit’s budget fares.
CHI Chicago ✈ LAX Los Angeles
One Way
$59
per person, incl. taxes · nonstop · American, United, Delta, Southwest, Spirit
CHI Chicago ✈ LAX Los Angeles
Round Trip
$109
per person, incl. taxes · nonstop · American, United, Delta, Southwest, Spirit
Airlines with Flights from Chicago to Los Angeles
This route runs nonstop from both Chicago airports on nearly every major U.S. carrier, giving travelers one of the widest schedule and fare spreads of any domestic route.
| Airline | Base / Hub | Weekly Departures | Flight Time | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Chicago O’Hare (ORD) hub | ~40 nonstop | 4h 00m – 4h 15m | AA |
| United Airlines | Chicago O’Hare (ORD) hub | ~42 nonstop | 4h 05m | UA |
| Delta Air Lines | Los Angeles (LAX) hub | ~30 nonstop | 4h 05m | DL |
| Southwest Airlines | Chicago Midway (MDW) base | ~35 nonstop | 4h 10m | WN |
| Spirit Airlines | Los Angeles (LAX) focus city | ~18 nonstop | 4h 10m | NK |
Cheap Flights from Chicago to Los Angeles — Direct Flights, Duration & Best Travel Time
Data-backed insights on the CHI–LAX route to help you book smarter and time your trip well.
26
Daily Flights
Feb
Cheapest Month
4h 07m
Avg. Flight Duration
Jun
1,745 mi
100%
Nonstop Flights
What's the cheapest day to fly CHI → LAX?
Fare history shows Tuesday and Wednesday departures run cheapest, while Friday and Sunday climb as one of the country’s highest-volume business and leisure corridors peaks.
What's the cheapest month to fly?
February tends to run cheapest between the winter holidays and spring break, while June — peak summer travel — sees the steepest average prices.
Insights About Flying from Chicago to Los Angeles
Which is the high season to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles?
June through August is peak season, as summer vacation travel to Southern California ramps up — expect higher fares and fuller flights.
Which is the low season to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles?
February is typically the low season, between the winter holidays and spring break, when fares soften across all carriers.
How many daily flights are there between Chicago and Los Angeles?
There are roughly 26 nonstop flights per day combined across O’Hare and Midway — among the highest-frequency routes in the U.S.
Which is the busiest day for passengers on this route?
Friday is typically busiest, as business travelers and weekend visitors move between Chicago and Los Angeles, two of the country’s largest media and business hubs.
At what time does the last flight depart to Los Angeles?
The last nonstop flight typically departs Chicago between 9:30 PM and 10:30 PM, depending on the carrier and airport.
At what time does the earliest flight depart from Chicago?
The earliest nonstop departure leaves Chicago around 6:00 AM, landing in Los Angeles by mid-morning given the two-hour time difference.
What share of travelers are business commuters?
An estimated 32% of Chicago–Los Angeles flyers are traveling for business, reflecting strong corporate, entertainment, and finance ties between the two cities.
What percentage of travelers booked business class?
Around 12% of travelers book a premium cabin on this route, among the higher shares of any domestic Chicago route.
Why Fly to Los Angeles from Chicago?
Los Angeles pairs iconic entertainment-industry sights with beaches, mountains, and desert all within a couple hours’ drive.
01
Hollywood & the Studios
Studio tours, the Walk of Fame, and the Hollywood Sign remain the classic first-timer draw — and a big reason business and leisure travelers both fly this route.
02
Santa Monica & Venice Beach
Two of California’s most iconic beach towns sit about 30 minutes from downtown, with the Santa Monica Pier and Venice’s famous boardwalk.
03
Getty Center
A hilltop art museum with sweeping city views and free admission — one of LA’s best-regarded cultural stops.
04
Griffith Observatory
Panoramic views over the city and the Hollywood Sign, plus free public telescopes, make this a top sunset spot.
05
Downtown Arts District
Converted warehouses now house galleries, breweries, and some of LA’s best-reviewed restaurants, a short rideshare from most downtown hotels.
06
Desert & Mountain Day Trips
Joshua Tree National Park and the San Bernardino Mountains are both within about two hours of LAX — easy add-ons for a longer stay.
CHI & LAX — Quick Facts
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Distance to Downtown Chicago
Alternate Airport
Transit to Downtown
Time Zone
Los Angeles Intl
Distance to Downtown LA
9
Transit to Downtown
Taxi to Santa Monica
Time Zone
Pacific (PT)
How to Find the Cheapest Chicago–Los Angeles Fares
01
Book 4–6 Weeks Ahead
Fares on this high-demand transcontinental route are typically lowest about a month out, especially outside summer peak.
02
Fly Tuesday or Wednesday
Midweek departures consistently undercut Friday and Sunday fares on this business- and leisure-heavy corridor.
03
Compare O’Hare and Midway
Southwest’s Midway fares and the network carriers’ O’Hare fares can differ significantly — check both airports before booking.
04
Compare All Five Carriers
With American, United, Delta, Southwest, and Spirit all flying nonstop, price out bags and seat selection across each before booking.
05
Set a Fare Alert
With five carriers competing at high frequency, fares shift often — an alert catches drops the moment they post.
06
Avoid Peak Summer Weekends
June through August sees the highest average fares as summer vacation travel peaks — shoulder-season and midweek travel run noticeably cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Basic Economy and ultra-low-cost fares are the most restrictive. Standard fares on the major network carriers offer more flexibility; always check fare rules at checkout.
Book 4–6 weeks ahead, fly midweek, compare both Chicago airports and all five carriers, and avoid peak summer weekends if your dates are flexible.
Yes — Los Angeles is on Pacific Time, two hours behind Chicago, so outbound flights can land earlier local time than they departed.
Everything to Know About Cheap Flights from Chicago to Los Angeles
One of the Busiest Transcontinental Routes in the U.S.
At roughly 1,745 miles, Chicago to Los Angeles is a long but heavily served nonstop, with 26 or more daily departures across two Chicago airports and five carriers. It’s a mix of business travel, entertainment-industry commuting, and West Coast leisure trips.
What You’ll Actually Pay
One-way fares typically start around $59 and round-trips from $109, climbing sharply during summer and major holiday weekends. With five carriers competing, comparing all-in pricing usually finds real savings.
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, Delta, or Southwest on this longer route.
Ready to Book Your Cheap Flight to Los Angeles?
Compare American, United, Delta, Southwest, and Spirit, lock in your Chicago → LA fare, and get to the coast faster. No booking fees — ever.
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