What is the cheapest airline that flies from California to Chicago?

Delta, United Airlines, and Southwest are the most popular carriers operating from California to Chicago

How many flights depart from California to Chicago on average per week?

As of April 2026, 1,634 flights take off from California and land in Chicago each week. The most common flight departure day for this route is Thu, with 19% of weekly flights taking off on this day.

How many flights depart from California to Chicago on average per day?

As of April 2026, 233 flights take off from California and land in Chicago each day. The most common flight departure time for this route is 10:00AM, with 44% of daily flights taking off at noon.

What airlines fly to Chicago?

American Airlines, United Airlines and Frontier are the top three most popular airlines that fly to Chicago from California according to our data. American Airlines is the first choice among our users, with 42% of people opting to fly with this airline when traveling to Chicago. Keep in mind that there are 9 different airlines that fly to Chicago on a routine basis, so you have a few additional options to choose from.

How long does it take to fly to Chicago?

Average flight duration from California to Chicago depends on which airport you fly into and out of. Flying from San Diego to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport is 3h 54m on average, while flying from Los Angeles to Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport is 4h on average. Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport is the most popular airport in Chicago.

When did momondo last update prices for flights from California to Chicago?

Prices for flights from California to Chicago are updated daily.

How many operators does momondo search for flights from California to Chicago?

The number of operators available for flights from California to Chicago is 9 as of April 2026.

How old do you have to be to fly from California to Chicago?

The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their own age limitations. Flight duration, scheduling, and layovers are among the considerations that may influence age limits. We recommend that you double-check with the airline you are booking with for travel from California to Chicago.

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Chicago?

The travel and health documents you'll need for your trip to Chicago may differ based on your itinerary and personal situation. Typically, you should have several documents on hand, such as a national ID card or driver's license and a passport that is valid for six months after your intended arrival at Chicago. It is always advisable to seek advice from your airline or a trusted third party, such as IATA.

$67 Cheap Flights from California to Chicago in 2026

1 adult

0 bags

Discover deals from 900+ travel sites with momondo.

Save money when you book flights with momondo

Big names and deals

Search 100s of travel sites to compare prices.

Filter for what you want

Free Wi-Fi? Stopover? Instantly customize your results.

Trusted and free

We’re completely free to use - no hidden charges or fees.

Price Alerts

Not ready to book? to track prices.

Search flight deals

Find the cheapest flights from California to Chicago

Round-trip

One-way

Last minute

Direct

Cheap round-trip flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

11:59 pm - 5:59 am

LAX

ORD

4h 00mnonstop

9:37 pm - 8:35 am

ORD

LAX

12h 58m

1 stop

$179Multiple Airlines

Sat, May 23 - Fri, May 29

11:59 pm - 5:59 am

LAX

ORD

4h 00mnonstop

9:37 pm - 8:55 am

ORD

LAX

13h 18m

1 stop

$180Multiple Airlines

Sat, May 23 - Tue, May 26

12:31 am - 6:39 am

LAX

ORD

4h 08mnonstop

4:40 pm - 10:46 pm

ORD

LAX

8h 06m

1 stop

$181Frontier

Mon, May 18 - Wed, May 27

3:28 pm - 7:55 am

LAX

ORD

14h 27m

1 stop

8:46 pm - 11:26 pm

ORD

LAX

4h 40mnonstop

$182Frontier

Sat, May 23 - Sat, May 30

11:55 pm - 5:55 am

LAX

MDW

4h 00mnonstop

8:50 pm - 11:10 pm

MDW

LAX

4h 20mnonstop

$199Southwest

Tue, Aug 25 - Tue, Sep 1

8:15 am - 3:25 pm

LAX

MDW

5h 10m

1 stop

10:15 am - 12:35 pm

MDW

LAX

4h 20mnonstop

$209Southwest

Wed, Aug 19 - Tue, Aug 25

7:00 am - 1:14 pm

SAN

ORD

4h 14mnonstop

9:00 am - 11:37 am

ORD

SAN

4h 37mnonstop

$233Alaska Airlines

Wed, May 27 - Wed, Jun 3

12:34 pm - 6:50 pm

SAN

ORD

4h 16mnonstop

2:10 pm - 4:48 pm

ORD

SAN

4h 38mnonstop

$237Alaska Airlines

Sat, May 23 - Wed, Jun 3

6:15 am - 12:33 pm

SAN

ORD

4h 18mnonstop

6:45 am - 9:04 am

ORD

SAN

4h 19mnonstop

$238American Airlines

Sat, May 16 - Sat, May 23

2:35 pm - 9:26 pm

SFO

ORD

4h 51mnonstop

9:10 pm - 11:52 pm

ORD

SFO

4h 42mnonstop

$273American Airlines

Sat, Jul 4 - Sat, Jul 25

American Airlines flights from California to Chicago

Our best American Airlines deals on California to Chicago flight tickets

American Airlines

May 16

SAN6:15 amSan Diego

4h 18m

ORD12:33 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

May 23

ORD6:45 amChicago O'Hare Intl

4h 19m

SAN9:04 amSan Diego

$238

American Airlines

May 23

SAN9:57 amSan Diego

4h 26m

ORD4:23 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

May 30

ORD6:45 amChicago O'Hare Intl

4h 19m

SAN9:04 amSan Diego

$248

American Airlines

Jul 4

SFO2:35 pmSan Francisco

4h 51m

ORD9:26 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

Jul 25

ORD9:10 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

4h 42m

SFO11:52 pmSan Francisco

$273

United Airlines flights from California to Chicago

Our best United Airlines deals on California to Chicago flight tickets

United Airlines

May 26

LAX5:10 amLos Angeles

4h 15m

ORD11:25 amChicago O'Hare Intl

May 27

ORD4:45 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

4h 31m

LAX7:16 pmLos Angeles

$199

United Airlines

Jun 24

LAX6:58 pmLos Angeles

4h 17m

ORD1:15 amChicago O'Hare Intl

Jul 1

ORD9:30 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

4h 39m

LAX12:09 amLos Angeles

$204

United Airlines

May 27

LAX2:41 pmLos Angeles

4h 09m

ORD8:50 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

Jun 1

ORD7:00 amChicago O'Hare Intl

4h 33m

LAX9:33 amLos Angeles

$220

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest round-trip

Los AngelesChicago

LAX - ORD

LAXORD

Los Angeles

Sat 5/23

11:59 pm-5:59 am

Nonstop4h 00m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 5/29

9:37 pm-8:35 am

1 stop12h 58m

$179

Los AngelesChicago

LAX - ORD

LAXORD

Los Angeles

Sat 5/23

11:59 pm-5:59 am

Nonstop4h 00m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 5/26

9:37 pm-8:55 am

1 stop13h 18m

$180

Los AngelesChicago

LAX - ORD

LAXORD

Los Angeles

Mon 5/18

12:31 am-6:39 am

Nonstop4h 08m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 5/27

4:40 pm-10:46 pm

1 stop8h 06m

$181

Los AngelesChicago

LAX - ORD

LAXORD

Los Angeles

Sat 5/23

3:28 pm-7:55 am

1 stop14h 27m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 5/30

8:46 pm-11:26 pm

Nonstop4h 40m

$182

Quickest round-trip

Los AngelesChicago

LAX - MDW

LAXMDW

Los Angeles

Tue 8/25

11:55 pm-5:55 am

Nonstop4h 00m

Chicago Midway

Tue 9/1

8:50 pm-11:10 pm

Nonstop4h 20m

$199

Los AngelesChicago

LAX - MDW

LAXMDW

Los Angeles

Wed 8/19

8:15 am-3:25 pm

1 stop5h 10m

Chicago Midway

Tue 8/25

10:15 am-12:35 pm

Nonstop4h 20m

$209

San DiegoChicago

SAN - ORD

SANORD

San Diego

Wed 5/27

7:00 am-1:14 pm

Nonstop4h 14m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 6/3

9:00 am-11:37 am

Nonstop4h 37m

$233

San DiegoChicago

SAN - ORD

SANORD

San Diego

Sat 5/23

12:34 pm-6:50 pm

Nonstop4h 16m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 6/3

2:10 pm-4:48 pm

Nonstop4h 38m

$237

San DiegoChicago

SAN - ORD

SANORD

San Diego

Sat 5/16

6:15 am-12:33 pm

Nonstop4h 18m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 5/23

6:45 am-9:04 am

Nonstop4h 19m

$238

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Sat 7/4

2:35 pm-9:26 pm

Nonstop4h 51m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 7/25

9:10 pm-11:52 pm

Nonstop4h 42m

$273

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Showing 1-10 of 20 resultsSorted by cheapest first

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from California to Chicago

Look no further. We've gone through all the searches for this route on momondo so you have the important information and insights to find the cheapest flight ticket for your trip

Prices

Airlines

Other information

What is the cheapest month to fly to Chicago?

The month of September is, on average, the cheapest month to fly to Chicago from California, with most prices found around $303. If you’re not able to fly to Chicago in September, then August is your next best option. Flight prices from California to Chicago during August average around $304.

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Chicago?

The cheapest day to depart on your flight to Chicago is on a Thursday when prices can be found for as low as $368. This is often the case because there is less demand to fly during this day of the week. When flying out on a Sunday, the most expensive travel day of the week, you can expect to see flight prices from California to Chicago for around $440.

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Chicago?

Our most recent data shows that the best time of day to fly to Chicago is in the afternoon. Flights from California to Chicago during this time can be as low as $295. In contrast, the most expensive time of day to depart to Chicago is at noon when prices are around $476.

What is the cheapest California to Chicago flight route?

Fly from Los Angeles to Chicago O'Hare Intl for the best California - Chicago flight prices

How far in advance should I book a flight from California to Chicago?

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to Chicago from California when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to Chicago for around $324 when searching weeks out. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Chicago from California for as low as $268 on momondo.

Can stopping save me money on California to Chicago flights?

No. A direct flight is the cheapest option for a flight between California to Chicago.

Cheap California to Chicago flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from California to Chicago

Best Price Found	$166
Fastest flight time	3h 20m
Direct flights	Every day
Airports in Chicago	3 airports

The best one-way flight to Chicago from California in the past 72 hours is $166. The best round-trip flight deal from California to Chicago found on momondo in the last 72 hours is $322.

The fastest flight from California to Chicago takes 3h 20m

Direct flights go from California to Chicago every day.

There are 3 airports in Chicago. From California there are direct flights to Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD), Chicago Midway (MDW).

Search flight deals

Frequently asked questions about flying from California to Chicago

When did momondo last update prices for flights from California to Chicago?
Prices for flights from California to Chicago are updated daily.
How many operators does momondo search for flights from California to Chicago?
The number of operators available for flights from California to Chicago is 9 as of April 2026.
How old do you have to be to fly from California to Chicago?
The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their own age limitations. Flight duration, scheduling, and layovers are among the considerations that may influence age limits. We recommend that you double-check with the airline you are booking with for travel from California to Chicago.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Chicago?
The travel and health documents you'll need for your trip to Chicago may differ based on your itinerary and personal situation. Typically, you should have several documents on hand, such as a national ID card or driver's license and a passport that is valid for six months after your intended arrival at Chicago. It is always advisable to seek advice from your airline or a trusted third party, such as IATA.
What is the most popular plane model from California to Chicago?
momondo data reveals that the most frequently booked plane model on the route from California to Chicago is Airbus A321neo, representing 20.73% of all bookings. The subsequent popular models are Boeing 737-800 at 17.08%, Boeing 737 MAX 8 at 10.52%, and Airbus A321-100/200 at 9.73%.

Best airlines flying from California to Chicago

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from California to Chicago with momondo

Airline	Rating	Free Cancellation	Price
Frontier	PriceFrom $91	Free Cancellation	Rating 5.6 2,969 reviews	Search Frontier flights
Spirit Airlines	PriceFrom $92	Free Cancellation	Rating 6.3 8,635 reviews	Search Spirit Airlines flights
Delta	PriceFrom $93	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.9 8,463 reviews	Search Delta flights
Hawaiian Airlines	PriceFrom $101	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.8 2,837 reviews	Search Hawaiian Airlines flights
United Airlines	PriceFrom $133	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.4 9,677 reviews	Search United Airlines flights
Alaska Airlines	PriceFrom $147	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.9 12,317 reviews	Search Alaska Airlines flights
American Airlines	PriceFrom $157	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.1 11,681 reviews	Search American Airlines flights
JetBlue	PriceFrom $166	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.1 2,968 reviews	Search JetBlue flights
Southwest	PriceFrom $179	Free Cancellation	Rating 8.0 4,314 reviews	Search Southwest flights

Merrillville

New Buffalo

Hammond

Saint Joseph

Benton Harbor

Portage

Lansing

Valparaiso

Munster

Schererville

Crown Point

Monticello

Chesterton

Porter

Griffith

Saint John

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to find a flight deal from California to Chicago?

Finding the right flight to Chicago from California is quick and easy when you have a range of options in front of you, from reputable agents and recognisable airlines. Options that can then be filtered down to find the best fit. That is what momondo does. We make finding flights to Chicago quick and easy, saving you time and money.

Can I find flights from California to Chicago with flexible booking policies on momondo?

Yes. momondo allows you to filter the results for California to Chicago flights to just show those with flexible booking policies.

How can momondo help me find flights from California to Chicago?

momondo helps you find the best flight between California and Chicago by providing filters to narrow your choice of flights to those matching your criteria. You can select flights based on numerous factors such as price, departure and landing times, airport and airline.

I’m not ready to book a flight from California to Chicago right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

Price alerts on flights to Chicago from California are quick and easy to set up on momondo. Simply perform a search and select the price alert feature. It is as simple as that.

An easier way to manage your Chicago trip

We make it super easy to schedule, organize and travel with friends or family. Trips is free — and available to use no matter where you book.

Start using Trips

Find my bookings

Get notified when prices go down

Daily price changes in your inbox - only with Price Alerts.

1 adult

Sat 5/30

Sat 6/6

Email me momondo's favorite deals

By creating a price alert you accept our terms of use and privacy policy.

Find better results for your trip to the United States

Nearby airports

Airlines

Cabin classes

Other United States destinations

Other flights from California

Complete your trip

Feeling lucky

Fly into one of these airports located in Chicago

Chicago Midway Airport

Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport

Chicago Greater Rockford Airport

Cheap flights from California to Chicago from $67

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a momondo user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from California to Chicago departing on 5/27. Fares may change, and may not be available for all flights or travel dates. Click the price to refresh the search for this deal.

Big names and deals

Big names and deals

Filter for what you want

Filter for what you want

Trusted and free

Trusted and free

Price Alerts

Price Alerts

Find the cheapest flights from California to Chicago

Cheap round-trip flights

Cheap one-way flights

Cheap last minute flights

Cheap direct flights

American Airlines flights from California to Chicago

Our best American Airlines deals on California to Chicago flight tickets

United Airlines flights from California to Chicago

Our best United Airlines deals on California to Chicago flight tickets

momondo Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights from California to Chicago that are best for you.

See travel insights to Chicago from

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from California to Chicago

What is the cheapest month to fly to Chicago?

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Chicago?

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Chicago?

What is the cheapest California to Chicago flight route?

How far in advance should I book a flight from California to Chicago?

Can stopping save me money on California to Chicago flights?

What is the cheapest airline that flies from California to Chicago?

What airlines fly to Chicago?

How many flights depart from California to Chicago on average per day?

How many flights depart from California to Chicago on average per week?

How long does it take to fly to Chicago?

Cheap California to Chicago flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from California to Chicago

Best Price Found

Fastest flight time

Direct flights

Airports in Chicago

Frequently asked questions about flying from California to Chicago

Best airlines flying from California to Chicago

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from California to Chicago with momondo

Traveling to a place near Chicago?

Why use momondo?

An easier way to manage your Chicago trip

We make it super easy to schedule, organize and travel with friends or family. Trips is free — and available to use no matter where you book.

Get notified when prices go down

Daily price changes in your inbox - only with Price Alerts.

Find better results for your trip to the United States

Fly into one of these airports located in Chicago

Airports listed have a maximum distance of 78.5 mi from Chicago

Fly your favorite airline to Chicago

Airlines are sorted and displayed according to clicks in the past 7 days on momondo

Cabin classes currently available on flights to Chicago

List of cabin classes available on flights landing in Chicago. Availability may vary depending on flight origin and airline.

Popular cities in the United States

Popular flights according to clicks in the last 7 days on momondo

Fly to other destinations from California

According to popular flight searches on momondo this year

Complete your trip to Chicago

Explore popular destinations other users love

According to popular flight searches on momondo this year