Chicago to LA Flights
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Route Overview: Chicago ✈ Los Angeles
The Chicago (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX) route is among the busiest cross-country routes in the United States. Travofinder will also help you to book your flight at the lowest price possible at ORD, whether you are heading to a business trip, Hollywood adventures or a sunny beach getaway.
Quick Facts:
- Flight Duration: 4 hours 20 minutes.
- Preferred Airport of Departure (mostly): O’Hare International Airport (ORD) (You can select the airport as per your convenience.)
- Preferred Arrival Airport (mostly): Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) (You may select the airport according to your convenience.)
- Airlines Operating: American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.
Best Time to Fly from Chicago to Los Angeles
If you are looking forward to traveling to Los Angeles and want to know the best time to get the cheapest flight to L.A., then you should know the following details.
- Reserve a flight to LAX at least 3-6 weeks before to get low fares.
- The lowest-priced months to travel are January, February, and September.
- Peak season and the majority of traffic: June-August (summer travel season)
- Best days to travel: Midweek (Tuesday-Thursday).
How to get Cheap Flight Tickets from Chicago to Los Angeles?
Need the most convenient methods to save money on flight booking between ORD and LAX? Try these smart hacks:
- Compare the Fare Calendar: Compare the price on several days and select the least expensive day of travel.
- Book Early: The prices tend to increase as the date of departure approaches. 3-6 weeks in advance to get the best fare.
- Be Flexible: See how much more you can save by trying off-peak days, early-morning flights, or red-eye flights.
- Switch on Fare Alerts: Switch on price alerts to receive real-time notifications when fares decrease.
- Compare Airlines: Compare low-cost airlines such as Spirit and premium airlines such as United or American to find the best combination of comfort and price.
Airlines Flying from Chicago (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX)
Do you want the best combination of comfort, price, and value flying from ORD? Here’s a brief overview of the top carriers operating this busy route and what you can expect from each.
American Airlines
- Fare for the Chicago (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX) route: $145
- Features: American Airlines has great loyalty rewards with its AAdvantage program and provides comfortable standard seating. This is a great option for flying to LAX for travelers wanting a reliable and premium flying experience.
United Airlines
- Fare for the Chicago (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX) route: $145
- Features: United ensures dependability with its ability to connect with other carriers, as well as free carry-ons (for standard economy and above). If you fly basic economy, this does not include a full-size carry-on (unless you're an elite status or have United's credit card); a good frequency of routes and in-flight wifi make booking this flight hassle-free.
Delta Air Lines
- Fare for the Chicago (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX) route: $155
- Features: Delta provides passengers with free snacks, excellent quality service onboard, and in-flight Wi-Fi with streaming capabilities on the majority of their flights. Delta's reliability and customer satisfaction are hallmarks of the airline, especially for customers traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles who value comfort.
Spirit Airlines
- Fare for the Chicago (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX) route: $84
- Features: Spirit is the choice airline for ultra-low fare airlines. The company has customizable add-ons where customers pay only for the services they have chosen, using it to find the lowest possible price for particular travelers. Spirit works well for last-minute flexible travelers or those desiring a cheaper option.
Alaska Airlines
- Fare for the Chicago (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX) route: $204
- Features: Alaska Airlines provides free in-flight texting, clean cabins, and service rated very highly by travelers. Alaska Airlines flights will be slightly higher in fare, though typically, travelers choose Alaska Airlines for their friendly staff and reliable services to get from Chicago to Los Angeles.
(All fares mentioned are approximate and subject to change. Please verify current prices before booking.)
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Frequently Asked Questions
A direct flight from Chicago (O'Hare ORD or Midway MDW) to Los Angeles (LAX) usually takes around 4 hours and 15 minutes to 4 hours and 30 minutes. There may be times when weather, other air traffic, or congested runways may affect that time.
There are a number of airlines that provide nonstop flights every day on this busy route. Nonstop airlines include American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines (from MDW), and Alaska Airlines. All of the airlines mentioned engage in multiple flights all day long.
The distance from Chicago to Los Angeles is about 1,740 to 1,750 miles, depending on the specific flight path.
It depends on the airline for carry-on fees, as well as the fare type that you purchase. Some airlines have Basic economy fares that restrict carry-on luggage, such as United and American. The standard economy fare usually has at least 1 cabin bag for free. As always, if purchasing tickets, read the fare rules carefully.
Yes. Both airports in Chicago, O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW), have TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lanes available. Eligible travelers used less, more efficient, and quicker security screening.
Most airlines have a no-change fee policy now for standard economy and up. When changing flights and you're moving to a fare higher than the original, the traveler only pays the difference in fare. Some tickets are fully refundable but will likely cost the traveler more. If the traveler booked through Travofinder, they should reach out to customer support for help with changes or refunds.
If you're simply looking for the lowest fare, you will probably find the best prices on budget airlines, like Spirit Airlines or Southwest Airlines (two free bags included), though any full-service airline will also offer fares in the same competitive price range.
American, United, Alaska, and Delta generally cost somewhat more, but in return for that price difference, all have better service and on-time reliability.
For nonstop flights, the answer is yes; nonstop service is quite common on this route and typically offered throughout the day. Connecting flights can be found through a variety of cities such as Denver (DEN), Phoenix (PHX), Dallas (DFW), or Salt Lake City (SLC)—but (and this is very important) connecting usually will add hours of unnecessary travel time.
Pricing is subject to season and travel demand.
-Cheapest months: January, February, September
-Cheapest days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and occasionally Saturday.
Be mindful that prices will generally be higher in the summer, winter holidays, and if there are major events taking place in LA.
Yes! One-way costs between Chicago and Los Angeles ARE quite competitive. Typically, the best prices can be found if you book approximately 2-4 weeks prior and travel on midweek days.
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