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

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

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

As of August 2026, 174 flights take off from Chicago and land in California each day. The most common flight departure time for this route is 8:00PM, with 36% of daily flights taking off in the evening.

What airlines fly to California?

United Airlines, American Airlines and Frontier are the top three most popular airlines that fly to California from Chicago according to our data. United Airlines is the first choice among our users, with 42% of people opting to fly with this airline when traveling to California. Keep in mind that there are 8 different airlines that fly to California on a routine basis, so you have a few additional options to choose from.

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

As of August 2026, there are 1,223 flights per week flying from Chicago to California. The most common day of the week flights depart is Mon, with 30% of flights taking off on this day.

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

Prices for flights from Chicago to California were last updated today.

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

The number of operators available for flights from Chicago to California is 8 as of August 2026.

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

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 Chicago to California.

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

The travel and health documents required for your trip to California can vary based on your itinerary and personal situation. As a rule, consider having multiple documents such as a national ID card or driver’s license, and a passport valid for six-months after you plan to arrive at California. We always recommend checking with your airline or a trusted third party such as IATA to get advice.

$72 Cheap Flights from Chicago to California in 2026

Discover deals from 900+ travel sites with momondo.

Find the cheapest flights from Chicago to California

Round-trip

One-way

Last minute

Direct

Cheap round-trip flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

6:30 am - 10:30 am

ORD

ONT

6h 00m

1 stop

11:45 am - 12:23 am

ONT

ORD

10h 38m

1 stop

$160Frontier

Sat, Sep 26 - Mon, Sep 28

7:00 am - 4:10 pm

ORD

ONT

11h 10m

1 stop

4:27 pm - 5:35 am

ONT

ORD

11h 08m

1 stop

$160Frontier

Sat, Oct 31 - Tue, Nov 10

7:20 am - 2:11 pm

ORD

LAS

8h 51m

1 stop

11:50 pm - 5:38 am

LAS

ORD

3h 48mnonstop

$222Multiple Airlines

Tue, Sep 8 - Mon, Sep 14

8:55 pm - 11:05 pm

ORD

LAS

4h 10mnonstop

10:23 am - 7:21 pm

LAS

ORD

6h 58m

1 stop

$222Multiple Airlines

Fri, Sep 18 - Wed, Sep 23

6:06 pm - 8:39 pm

ORD

LAX

4h 33mnonstop

5:00 am - 1:31 pm

LAX

ORD

6h 31m

1 stop

$225United Airlines

Sat, Oct 24 - Mon, Oct 26

2:50 pm - 5:15 pm

ORD

LAX

4h 25mnonstop

7:40 am - 1:44 pm

LAX

ORD

4h 04mnonstop

$237Delta

Thu, Sep 17 - Sun, Sep 20

6:59 pm - 9:45 pm

ORD

LAX

4h 46mnonstop

5:55 pm - 11:50 pm

LAX

ORD

3h 55mnonstop

$237Delta

Fri, Oct 23 - Mon, Oct 26

8:06 pm - 10:35 pm

ORD

ONT

4h 29mnonstop

7:00 am - 1:10 pm

ONT

ORD

4h 10mnonstop

$239United Airlines

Wed, Aug 19 - Wed, Aug 26

6:01 am - 12:04 pm

ORD

LAS

8h 03m

1 stop

10:23 am - 7:21 pm

LAS

ORD

6h 58m

1 stop

$241Alaska Airlines

Mon, Sep 7 - Thu, Sep 10

2:18 pm - 4:55 pm

ORD

SAN

4h 37mnonstop

5:45 pm - 11:59 pm

SAN

ORD

4h 14mnonstop

$257Alaska Airlines

Thu, Sep 17 - Thu, Sep 24

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Southwest flights from Chicago to California

Our best Southwest deals on Chicago to California flight tickets

Southwest

Sep 3

MDW8:45 pmChicago Midway

4h 25m

LAX11:10 pmLos Angeles

Sep 11

LAX5:15 pmLos Angeles

3h 55m

MDW11:10 pmChicago Midway

$247

Southwest

Sep 2

MDW9:25 amChicago Midway

5h 40m

1 stop

LAX1:05 pmLos Angeles

Sep 8

LAX11:55 pmLos Angeles

4h 00m

MDW5:55 amChicago Midway

$253

Southwest

Sep 3

MDW8:45 pmChicago Midway

4h 25m

LAX11:10 pmLos Angeles

Sep 6

LAX12:25 pmLos Angeles

5h 30m

1 stop

MDW7:55 pmChicago Midway

$257

Delta flights from Chicago to California

Our best Delta deals on Chicago to California flight tickets

Delta

Sep 3

ORD2:36 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

4h 32m

LAX5:08 pmLos Angeles

Sep 9

LAX5:25 pmLos Angeles

4h 06m

ORD11:31 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

$237

Delta

Sep 4

MDW10:54 amChicago Midway

7h 25m

1 stop

LAX4:19 pmLos Angeles

Sep 6

LAX6:00 amLos Angeles

8h 59m

1 stop

MDW4:59 pmChicago Midway

$267

Delta

Aug 24

ORD8:48 amChicago O'Hare Intl

7h 22m

1 stop

SAN2:10 pmSan Diego

Aug 26

SAN8:00 amSan Diego

8h 49m

1 stop

ORD6:49 pmChicago O'Hare Intl

$268

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest round-trip

ChicagoOntario

ORD - ONT

ORDONT

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 9/26

6:30 am-10:30 am

1 stop6h 00m

Ontario

Mon 9/28

11:45 am-12:23 am

1 stop10h 38m

$160

ChicagoOntario

ORD - ONT

ORDONT

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 10/31

7:00 am-4:10 pm

1 stop11h 10m

Ontario

Tue 11/10

4:27 pm-5:35 am

1 stop11h 08m

$160

ChicagoLas Vegas

ORD - LAS

ORDLAS

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 9/8

7:20 am-2:11 pm

1 stop8h 51m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Mon 9/14

11:50 pm-5:38 am

Nonstop3h 48m

$222

ChicagoLas Vegas

ORD - LAS

ORDLAS

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 9/18

8:55 pm-11:05 pm

Nonstop4h 10m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Wed 9/23

10:23 am-7:21 pm

1 stop6h 58m

$222

ChicagoLos Angeles

ORD - LAX

ORDLAX

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 10/24

6:06 pm-8:39 pm

Nonstop4h 33m

Los Angeles

Mon 10/26

5:00 am-1:31 pm

1 stop6h 31m

$225

Quickest round-trip

ChicagoLos Angeles

ORD - LAX

ORDLAX

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 9/17

2:50 pm-5:15 pm

Nonstop4h 25m

Los Angeles

Sun 9/20

7:40 am-1:44 pm

Nonstop4h 04m

$237

ChicagoLos Angeles

ORD - LAX

ORDLAX

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 10/23

6:59 pm-9:45 pm

Nonstop4h 46m

Los Angeles

Mon 10/26

5:55 pm-11:50 pm

Nonstop3h 55m

$237

ChicagoOntario

ORD - ONT

ORDONT

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 8/19

8:06 pm-10:35 pm

Nonstop4h 29m

Ontario

Wed 8/26

7:00 am-1:10 pm

Nonstop4h 10m

$239

ChicagoLas Vegas

ORD - LAS

ORDLAS

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 9/7

6:01 am-12:04 pm

1 stop8h 03m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Thu 9/10

10:23 am-7:21 pm

1 stop6h 58m

$241

ChicagoSan Diego

ORD - SAN

ORDSAN

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 9/17

2:18 pm-4:55 pm

Nonstop4h 37m

San Diego

Thu 9/24

5:45 pm-11:59 pm

Nonstop4h 14m

$257

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 Chicago to California

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 California?

The month of October is another great option to travel to California, with average flight prices from Chicago averaging around $312.

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

The cheapest day to depart from Chicago to California is on a Thursday. Travelers who choose to depart for California on a Thursday will often find tickets for as low as $385. Be sure to avoid booking your departure on a Monday as prices are generally higher than usual. According to our data, the average ticket price to California on Monday is $504.

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

The cheapest time of day to fly to California is in the evening when flights can be purchased for as low as $335. If you have a flexible travel schedule, then try to avoid flying in the afternoon when prices are $773 on average. Flights to California from Chicago in the afternoon are generally more expensive because this time of day is more convenient for travelers’ schedules.

What is the cheapest Chicago to California flight route?

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

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

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to California from Chicago when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to California for around $320 when searching weeks out. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to California from Chicago for as low as $266 on momondo.

What cabin class options are available on Chicago to California flights?

There are 4 cabin classes available to choose from on Chicago to California flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

Can stopping save me money on Chicago to California flights?

You could potentially save up to 36% on your flight if you consider stops on a Chicago to California flight.

Cheap Chicago to California flight deals and tips

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

Best Price Found	$168
Fastest flight time	3h 39m
Direct flights	Every day
Airports in California	418 airports

The best one-way flight to California from Chicago in the past 72 hours is $168. The best round-trip flight deal from Chicago to California found on momondo in the last 72 hours is $239.

The fastest flight from Chicago to California takes 3h 39m

Direct flights go from Chicago to California every day.

There are 418 airports in California. From Chicago there are direct flights to Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS).

Search flight deals

Frequently asked questions about flying from Chicago to California

When did momondo last update prices for flights from Chicago to California?
Prices for flights from Chicago to California were last updated today.
How many operators does momondo search for flights from Chicago to California?
The number of operators available for flights from Chicago to California is 8 as of August 2026.
How old do you have to be to fly from Chicago to California?
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 Chicago to California.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to California?
The travel and health documents required for your trip to California can vary based on your itinerary and personal situation. As a rule, consider having multiple documents such as a national ID card or driver’s license, and a passport valid for six-months after you plan to arrive at California. We always recommend checking with your airline or a trusted third party such as IATA to get advice.
What is the most popular plane model from Chicago to California?
momondo data reveals that the most frequently booked plane model on the route from Chicago to California is Airbus A321neo, representing 16.14% of all bookings. The subsequent popular models are Airbus A321-100/200 at 14.76%, Boeing 737-800 at 14.55%, and Boeing 757-300 at 9.61%.

Best airlines flying from Chicago to California

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

Airline	Rating	Free Cancellation	Price
Frontier	PriceFrom $77	Free Cancellation	Rating 5.6 2,736 reviews	Search Frontier flights
Delta	PriceFrom $128	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.8 8,482 reviews	Search Delta flights
Hawaiian Airlines	PriceFrom $138	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.8 2,819 reviews	Search Hawaiian Airlines flights
Alaska Airlines	PriceFrom $154	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.9 12,760 reviews	Search Alaska Airlines flights
United Airlines	PriceFrom $157	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.4 10,060 reviews	Search United Airlines flights
JetBlue	PriceFrom $159	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.2 3,026 reviews	Search JetBlue flights
American Airlines	PriceFrom $163	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.1 11,845 reviews	Search American Airlines flights
Southwest	PriceFrom $164	Free Cancellation	Rating 8.0 4,221 reviews	Search Southwest flights

Why use momondo?

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

We help find the flight that best suits your needs, momondo compares prices from hundreds of airlines and travel agents and helps you filter them to find the best flight from Chicago to California for you.

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

momondo does allow users to show only those flights to California from Chicago which offer a flexible booking policy as well as other useful filters and features.

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

Once all potential Chicago to California flight options are in front of you, momondo lets you sort and filter flights based on preferences such as airline, price and flight times amongst many other options.

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

Price alerts on flights to California from Chicago 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.

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Popular cities in California

Flights to New Yorkfrom $76

Flights to Los Angelesfrom $56

Flights to Orlandofrom $50

Flights to Miamifrom $54

Flights to Chicagofrom $58

Flights to San Franciscofrom $46

Flights to Las Vegasfrom $46

Flights to Washington, D.C.from $48

Flights to Bostonfrom $51

Flights to Atlantafrom $51

Flights to Fort Lauderdalefrom $46

Flights to Dallasfrom $61

Cheap flights from Chicago to California from $79

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a momondo user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Chicago to California departing on 10/5. Fares may change, and may not be available for all flights or travel dates. Click the price to refresh the search for this deal.

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Southwest flights from Chicago to California

Our best Southwest deals on Chicago to California flight tickets

Delta flights from Chicago to California

Our best Delta deals on Chicago to California flight tickets

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

See travel insights to California from

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from Chicago to California

What is the cheapest month to fly to California?

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

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

What is the cheapest Chicago to California flight route?

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

What cabin class options are available on Chicago to California flights?

Can stopping save me money on Chicago to California flights?

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

What airlines fly to California?

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

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

Cheap Chicago to California flight deals and tips

Best Price Found

Fastest flight time

Direct flights

Airports in California

Frequently asked questions about flying from Chicago to California

Best airlines flying from Chicago to California

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

Why use momondo?

An easier way to manage your California 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 California

Popular cities in California

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

Chicago flight routes

According to popular flight searches on momondo this year

California flight routes

According to popular flight searches on momondo this year

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