$51+ Cheap flights from Chicago (CHI) to California

The flight time from Chicago to California varies a bit depending on which city you fly into, but on most trips, expect a flight time of around four hours.

American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United and Virgin America all have flights available from Chicago to one or more cities in California.

Chicago to California is a popular route with dozens of flights every day. Quite a few of those are direct flights, and there are also many with stops available.

Chicago's primary airport is O'Hare International Airport, but there are also flights to California at its other airport, O'Hare International Airport. California has airports in quite a few of its major cities, with Los Angeles International Airport being the busiest. It's followed by San Francisco International Airport, San Diego International Airport and Oakland International Airport.

If you’re booking a flight to California from Chicago, you will likely depart from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). When you arrive in California, the major airports include Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Oakland International Airport (OAK), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and San Jose International Airport (SJC). It all just depends on the airline you’ll be traveling with. Since both Alaska Airlines and United Airlines have their hub at SFO, they tend to land there more often than not. Similarly, because LAX is the primary hub for American Airlines and Delta Air, you’re most likely to land in Los Angeles when flying with either of these airlines.

Chicago to California is a very popular route, with hundreds of Americans flying to the west coast every week. As a result, there are a good number of airlines serving this route that provide direct flights. Spirit is one of the leading airlines, offering multiple flights every day. United Airlines is another option and is actually the most popular because of its amazing in-flight amenities. During your flight from Chicago to California, you’ll receive complimentary snacks as well as in-flight wireless internet that you can use for entertainment or work during your flight. They also provide personal entertainment devices, such as small tablets, in case you want to catch up on your favorite TV show.

Despite being a very short trip, there are still connecting flights between the two cities. Flights from Chicago to California that include a layover usually cost less compared to direct flights. Therefore, if you are traveling on a budget, you should consider these options. If you’re content with a one-stop flight, the most common layovers on this route stop at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Other layover options include Dallas/Fort Worth, Boise, and Fort Lauderdale. Although indirect flights are cheaper, keep in mind that they will add three to six hours to your total travel time.

No, a passport will not be necessary when flying to California from Chicago since you’re traveling on a domestic flight. However, you will still be required to prove your identity with a photo ID, and a REAL ID will be required for domestic flights in the near future, as part of a new system the government is introducing. You will need to have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another form of ID such as a US passport, US passport card, or NEXUS card, among others.

The cheapest airline one-way is Spirit Airlines, with whom users have recently found tickets for as low as $51. However, be on the lookout for offers from Frontier and United Airlines, as they are both options that can get you from Chicago to California for a low price.

The most popular route from Chicago to California is Chicago O'Hare Intl - Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl. You may also consider Chicago O'Hare Intl - Los Angeles or Chicago O'Hare Intl - San Francisco.

No one likes to see their flight delayed. When booking a flight from Chicago to California consider choosing Asiana Airlines (98%), Austrian Airlines (96%) or Air China (95%) as they are the most reliable in getting you off to your destination on time.

On average you can expect to pay $1,685 for a flight from Chicago to California. The cheapest flight overall is $58 while the most popular route, (Chicago O'Hare Intl - Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl) is currently priced at $86.

Yes. In addition to deals on Chicago to California flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Chicago to California.

Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Chicago to California by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Chicago to California (average of $246). Flying from Chicago to California in March is currently the most expensive (average of $327). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

Most of the airlines that offer flights to California from Chicago have some type of ongoing program to reduce the airline’s environmental impact and promote sustainable travel. Spirit Airlines, for example, has a daytime flight to California that is considered to have less carbon emissions than other flights making the same route due to the type of aircraft and its engine’s fuel efficiency. Spirit also encourages passengers to avoid bringing extra luggage that would weigh the aircraft down by not including a free carry-on bag with their tickets. United Airlines and American Airlines also have eco-friendly programs and are committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. They both have already taken action by using sustainable aviation fuel, thereby reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.

When booking tickets to California from Chicago, there are a few choices passengers can make to reduce their own carbon footprint. Packing light and not bringing extra luggage is one way of helping. The more the aircraft weighs, the more fuel it burns, increasing its carbon emissions and producing more pollution. Traveling in economy class and on larger airplanes may also help because they are more space-efficient. You can also choose one of the many direct flights offered on this route, avoiding unnecessary layovers and extra carbon dioxide emissions. If possible, it’s best to book a flight offered during the daytime because sunlight helps heat the aircraft and absorb some of the carbon dioxide.