Los Angeles to Chicago
Compare Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago (ORD/MDW) airfare across American, United, Delta, Southwest, and Spirit, track fare trends on one of the country’s busiest transcontinental routes, and land in the Midwest in about 4 hours 5 minutes.
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or request an offerRoute
LAX–CHI
Distance
2808 KM
Flight Time
4H 05M
Weekly Flights
180+
Fares From
$59
Carriers
AA · UA · DL · WN · NK
Cheap Flights from Los Angeles to Chicago — Compare Our Best Deals
With 180+ nonstop weekly departures across O’Hare and Midway, Los Angeles to Chicago 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.
LAX Los Angeles ✈ CHI Chicago
One Way
$59
per person, incl. taxes · nonstop · American, United, Delta, Southwest, Spirit
LAX Los Angeles ✈ CHI Chicago
Round Trip
$109
per person, incl. taxes · nonstop · American, United, Delta, Southwest, Spirit
Airlines with Flights from Los Angeles to Chicago
This route runs nonstop to 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | Chicago O’Hare (ORD) hub | ~42 nonstop | 3h 55m – 4h 10m | UA |
| American Airlines | Chicago O’Hare (ORD) hub | ~40 nonstop | 4h 00m | AA |
| 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 Los Angeles to Chicago — Direct Flights, Duration & Best Travel Time
Data-backed insights on the LAX–CHI 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 LAX → CHI?
What’s the cheapest month to fly?
Insights About Flying from Los Angeles to Chicago
Why Fly to Chicago from Los Angeles?
Chicago pairs an iconic skyline and lakefront with deep-dish pizza, world-class museums, and some of the best architecture in the country.
01
The Magnificent Mile & Willis Tower
Chicago’s signature shopping strip runs alongside some of the city’s tallest buildings, including the Willis Tower’s glass Skydeck.
02
Millennium Park & The Bean
Cloud Gate, better known as “The Bean,” anchors a downtown park that also hosts free summer concerts and skating in winter.
03
Art Institute of Chicago
One of the country’s oldest and largest art museums, with an encyclopedic collection spanning centuries and continents.
04
Chicago Architecture River Cruise
A boat tour along the Chicago River offers one of the best introductions to the city’s landmark skyscrapers and design history.
05
Navy Pier & the Lakefront
Chicago’s lakefront trail and Navy Pier’s rides and restaurants make for an easy afternoon by the water.
06
Legendary Food Scene
From deep-dish pizza to Chicago-style hot dogs, the city’s food culture is as much a draw as its architecture.
LAX & CHI — Quick Facts
Los Angeles Intl
Distance to Downtown LA
Transit to Downtown
Taxi to Santa Monica
Time Zone
Chicago O'Hare Intl
ICAO Code
Distance to Downtown Chicago
4
Alternate Airport
Transit to Downtown
Time Zone
How to Find the Cheapest Los Angeles–Chicago 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 United, American, 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
Aim to book 4–6 weeks before departure for the best fares, and earlier still around summer and major holiday weekends.
Yes, United, American, Delta, Southwest, and Spirit all operate this route nonstop, with a typical flight time of about 4 hours 5 minutes.
Southwest flies exclusively into Midway, while United, American, Delta, 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. 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 — Chicago is on Central Time, two hours ahead of Los Angeles, so eastbound flights lose time while westbound flights gain it.
Everything to Know About Cheap Flights from Los Angeles to Chicago
One of the Busiest Transcontinental Routes in the U.S.
At roughly 1,745 miles, Los Angeles to Chicago 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 Midwest 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 United, American, Delta, or Southwest on this longer route.
Ready to Book Your Cheap Flight to Chicago?
Compare United, American, Delta, Southwest, and Spirit, lock in your LAX → Chicago fare, and get to the Midwest faster. No booking fees — ever.
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