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$142+ Cheap flights from Santa Barbara (SBA) to Chicago (CHI)

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 10/11. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SBA — CHI
jul. 8 — jul. 151
mar. 7/8
mar. 7/15
1 adult, Economy
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Cheap flight deals from Santa Barbara to Chicago

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Santa Barbara (SBA) to Chicago (CHI). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated julio 3, 2025.

Round-trip from

$285
(Delta)

One-way from

$142
(Hawaiian Airlines)

Popular in

January

Cheapest in

June

Average price

$429

Good one-way deal

$169 or less
From Santa Barbara to Chicago (CHI)
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One-way flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago (CHI)
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 12% potential increase in price ($63 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 5% potential price decrease ($27 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in July 2025
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago (CHI).
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Find flight deals from Santa Barbara to Chicago

Cheapest flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Santa Barbara to Chicago. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on julio 3, 2025.

This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
sáb. 8/1612:40 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop7h 24mDelta
sáb. 8/237:45 amORD - SBA
1 stop6h 09mDelta
Deal found 7/1$285
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
sáb. 8/161:01 pmSBA - ORD
2 stops8h 42mAmerican Airlines
sáb. 8/2310:25 amORD - SBA
2 stops9h 43mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 7/1$295
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
mié. 7/306:45 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop8h 33mUnited Airlines
lun. 8/117:40 pmORD - SBA
1 stop6h 00mUnited Airlines
Deal found 7/1$313
This Hawaiian Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Hawaiian Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
vie. 11/77:19 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop9h 03mHawaiian Airlines
mar. 11/112:00 pmORD - SBA
1 stop7h 49mHawaiian Airlines
Deal found 7/1$337
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
vie. 8/83:00 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop6h 05mSouthwest
mar. 8/126:15 amORD - SBA
1 stop9h 15mSouthwest
Deal found 7/1$349
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/1. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Alaska Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
vie. 10/37:39 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop8h 42mAlaska Airlines
dom. 10/56:00 amORD - SBA
1 stop14h 41mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 7/1$412

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Customize your flight search to find flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated julio 3, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago that are best for you.

Fly from

Santa Barbara

Fly to

Chicago

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

sáb. 8/16

12:40 pm-10:04 pm

1 stop7h 24m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

sáb. 8/23

7:45 am-11:54 am

1 stop6h 09m

$285

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

sáb. 8/16

1:01 pm-11:43 pm

2 stops8h 42m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

sáb. 8/23

10:25 am-6:08 pm

2 stops9h 43m

$295

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

mié. 7/30

6:45 pm-5:18 am

1 stop8h 33m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

lun. 8/11

7:40 pm-11:40 pm

1 stop6h 00m

$313

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

vie. 11/7

7:19 pm-6:22 am

1 stop9h 03m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

mar. 11/11

2:00 pm-7:49 pm

1 stop7h 49m

$337

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

vie. 8/8

3:00 pm-11:05 pm

1 stop6h 05m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

mar. 8/12

6:15 am-1:30 pm

1 stop9h 15m

$349

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

vie. 10/3

7:39 pm-6:21 am

1 stop8h 42m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

dom. 10/5

6:00 am-6:41 pm

1 stop14h 41m

$412

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

sáb. 10/11

7:40 pm-6:21 am

1 stop8h 41m

$142

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

sáb. 10/11

6:05 am-5:10 pm

2 stops9h 05m

$148

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

mié. 7/23

6:45 pm-5:18 am

1 stop8h 33m

$155

Santa BarbaraChicago

SBA - ORD

SBAORD

Santa Barbara

mié. 7/23

4:50 pm-7:49 am

2 stops12h 59m

$165

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 7/1

Showing 1-10 of 12 results
1
2

Best time to book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Chicago from Santa Barbara with our price prediction graph.
Estimated round-trip price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago (average of $245). Flying from Santa Barbara to Chicago in March is currently the most expensive (average of $321). 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.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from SBA to CHI?

Find hourly flight availability from Santa Barbara to Chicago. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated julio 3, 2025.

It’s optimal to fly from Santa Barbara to Chicago in the evening. By choosing this option you can save up to 8% on the cost of your flight, compared to a flight in the afternoon.

Reviews of airlines servicing Chicago

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Chicago. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Chicago. Reviews last updated julio 3, 2025.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown Alaska Airlines, Southwest, and Delta from Santa Barbara to Chicago. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

Comfort

7.8

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

Comfort

7.8

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,266 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

Comfort

7.8

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,982 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

Comfort

7.8

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Hawaiian Airlines
7.8
Good
2,545 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

Comfort

7.8

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,861 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

Comfort

7.8

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Santa Barbara to Chicago. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

  • What airport do you fly from for flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

    If you book a flight to Chicago from Santa Barbara, you will be flying from Santa Barbara, which is the city’s only airport. Santa Barbara (SBA) is located 8.0 mi from the center of Santa Barbara. There are 0 flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago per day from 4 different airlines.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Santa Barbara to Chicago round-trip?

    Flying on Delta is currently your cheapest option to Chicago, with prices starting at $285. Additional round-trip tickets that might be worth considering are offered by American Airlines and United Airlines, with the lowest prices starting at $295 and $313, respectively. You may be able to fly from Santa Barbara to Chicago for 38% less than the average price by searching for these airlines.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Santa Barbara to Chicago one-way?

    The cheapest airlines for a one-way flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago are Hawaiian Airlines ($142), American Airlines ($148), and United Airlines ($155).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

    On average you can expect to pay $219 for a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago. The cheapest flight overall is $169 while the most popular route, (Santa Barbara - Chicago O'Hare Intl) is currently priced at $318.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago that include hotel bookings?

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

  • How can I find direct flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

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

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

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

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

    Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Santa Barbara to Chicago (average of $245). Flying from Santa Barbara to Chicago in March is currently the most expensive (average of $321). 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.

See more FAQs

Traveling to a place near Santa Barbara?

Book flights to Santa Barbara if you plan to visit one of these locations
Merrillville
Lansing
Benton Harbor
Porter
Hammond
Valparaiso
Chesterton

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Alternative routes for Santa Barbara to Chicago

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Top 4 airlines flying from Santa Barbara to Chicago

Discover the top 4 airlines that operate flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated julio 3, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
American AirlinesCheapest$303Average$398FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
DeltaCheapest$306Average$364FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
United AirlinesCheapest$318Average$483FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
SouthwestCheapest$332Average$420FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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