Cheap flights from Chicago (CHI) to Los Angeles (LAX) from $42

This is the cheapest one-way flight price, found on 9/20. Prices may vary by date and flight preferences.
CHI — LAX
Sep 26 — Oct 31

The best prices from Chicago to Los Angeles are usually found in January or February, booked 57 days in advance, depart on a Friday or Wednesday and return on a Saturday

How to find the cheapest flight from Chicago (CHI) to Los Angeles (LAX)

All the information you need to plan the best CHI to LAX flight in 2023: compare Chicago to Los Angeles flight prices with the expected peak season, weather and rainfall in Los Angeles.

Popular in

June

Cheapest in

January

Round-trip from

$217

One-way from

$42
High demand for flights, 26% potential price rise
Best time to find cheap flights, 36% potential price drop
From Chicago (CHI) to Los Angeles
One-way flight from Chicago (CHI) to Los Angeles

CHI - LAX

Price

$217 - $495

LAX

Temperature

57.2 - 73.4 °F

LAX

Rainfall

0 - 3.4 inches

What is the cheapest day to fly round-trip from Chicago to Los Angeles?

Saturday flights are generally found to be more expensive for flights from Chicago to Los Angeles. This shouldn’t discourage you from searching, as you can still find great deals by being flexible with your options. Use our search form to find deals on tickets to Los Angeles.

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

Travelers have found it’s best to book a flight 54 days in advance to save up to 39% compared to booking the same week of travel. As your travel date approaches, the cost of this flight route may potentially increase. While opting to book 54 days out may not be an option for all, there are still additional ways to secure a deal in the near future. You might find a flight from Chicago to Los Angeles 1-2 weeks in advance for as low as $356, or $461 for flights within the next 24 hours.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Los Angeles?

Our data shows that January tends to be the cheapest month to fly to Los Angeles from Chicago. Users have commonly found prices around $324 for the month, but tickets can be as low as $133. Due to multiple factors, prepare for potentially higher prices in June.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Los Angeles (CHI - LAX)?

When flying from Chicago to Los Angeles, the time of day you fly usually plays a role in the price. Save by searching for a flight in the evening, which can drop the price by up to 25% versus a flight in the morning.

Cheap Spirit Airlines flights from Chicago to Los Angeles

Find some of the cheapest Spirit Airlines flights traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles. Come back soon if you're not finding the exact deal you're looking for.
  • If you’re traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles, one of the more common airlines traveling that route is Spirit Airlines. Chicago to Los Angeles flights are typically 21% cheaper than other airlines traveling the same route. Flights from Spirit Airlines typically cost $324.14 RT. The cheapest Spirit Airlines flight found for this route was $69. When traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles on Spirit Airlines, the most popular airport to depart from is Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport and the most popular airport to arrive at is Los Angeles Airport. When flying from Chicago to Los Angeles, Spirit Airlines flights are 6% more popular than any other airline flying that same route.

Cheap Delta flights from Chicago to Los Angeles

Some of the best deals we've found on Delta flights traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles. Deals are refreshing constantly so come back soon for more options.
  • One of the most popular airlines traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles is Delta. Flights from Delta traveling this route typically cost $383.80 RT. This price is typically 56% cheaper than other airlines that offer Chicago to Los Angeles flights. When booking this route, the cheapest RT price found was $188. Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport is the most common Chicago airport to take off from when flying to Los Angeles. Los Angeles Airport is the most popular arrival airport in Los Angeles. When flying from Chicago to Los Angeles, Delta flights are 3% more popular than any other airline flying that same route.

Cheap Chicago to Los Angeles flights in September & October 2023

The best prices found for CHI to LAX flights for September, October
Scroll through some of the best deals on flights from Chicago to Los Angeles in 2023. Check back regularly for other flight deals.

Chicago to Los Angeles 2023 flight deals

Cheap flights to Los Angeles from Chicago found for this year
Scroll through some of the best deals on flights from Chicago to Los Angeles in 2023. Check back regularly for other flight deals.

Non-stop flights to Los Angeles from Chicago

Save time with Chicago to Los Angeles direct flight deals
Consider booking one of these non-stop flights heading from Chicago to Los Angeles. Those looking to potentially save on 1 or 2-stop flights from Chicago to Los Angeles should utilize the search form at the the top of the page.

Chicago to Los Angeles flights leaving soon

Late deals on return flights to Los Angeles from Chicago, departing today and this week
Book one of these great deals on flights from Chicago to Los Angeles. Tip: verify your flight details before completing your reservation.

One-way flights to Los Angeles from Chicago

The cheapest one-way flights from Chicago to Los Angeles
If you're seeking multiple options on one-way flights from Chicago to Los Angeles, be sure to check out these deals, which are updated often. Users needing a return flight from Chicago to Los Angeles should utilize the search form above.

Find flights from Chicago to Los Angeles within your budget

Use the slider to find flights from Chicago to Los Angeles that fit your budget.

Fly from

Any airport

Fly to

Any airport

Budget

$69 - $216

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Chicago O'Hare IntlLos Angeles

ORD - LAX

ORDLAX

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 12/4

Nonstop4h 38m

Los Angeles

Tue 12/5

1 stop8h 14m

Chicago O'Hare IntlLos Angeles

ORD - LAX

ORDLAX

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 10/17

1 stop28h 17m

Los Angeles

Wed 10/18

Nonstop4h 13m

Chicago O'Hare IntlLos Angeles

ORD - LAX

ORDLAX

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 10/13

Nonstop4h 35m

Los Angeles

Mon 10/16

1 stop8h 49m

Chicago O'Hare IntlLos Angeles

ORD - LAX

ORDLAX

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 10/28

Nonstop4h 35m

Los Angeles

Tue 10/31

1 stop13h 54m

Chicago O'Hare IntlLos Angeles

ORD - LAX

ORDLAX

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 10/31

Nonstop4h 35m

Los Angeles

Tue 11/7

Nonstop4h 11m

Chicago O'Hare IntlLos Angeles

ORD - LAX

ORDLAX

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 10/31

1 stop20h 45m

Los Angeles

Tue 11/7

1 stop5h 55m

Chicago O'Hare IntlLos Angeles

ORD - LAX

ORDLAX

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 10/11

1 stop13h 07m

Los Angeles

Mon 10/16

1 stop6h 10m

Chicago MidwayLos Angeles

MDW - LAX

MDWLAX

Chicago Midway

Wed 10/11

1 stop10h 11m

Los Angeles

Mon 10/16

1 stop11h 17m

Chicago O'Hare IntlLos Angeles

ORD - LAX

ORDLAX

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 10/28

1 stop9h 12m

Los Angeles

Sat 11/4

1 stop10h 08m

Flights are sorted by cheapest first

Deals found on 9/20

Reviews of airlines servicing Los Angeles

Peruse reviews from past customers who have flown with Spirit Airlines, Delta and Volaris from Chicago to Los Angeles to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Alaska Airlines
8.1
Very good
1,393 reviews

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.1

Boarding

8.3

Crew

8.6

Food

7.2

Entertainment

7.2

Reviews

1 / 10

Overhead space to put my carry on that wasn’t taken by someone in a different seat. Dislike: Deplaning outside on the runway vs enclosed airport. Why are we having to do that?!

Alaska Airlines
8.1
Very good
1,393 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.1
Very good
1,393 reviews

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.1

Boarding

8.3

Crew

8.6

Food

7.2

Entertainment

7.2

Reviews

1 / 10

Overhead space to put my carry on that wasn’t taken by someone in a different seat. Dislike: Deplaning outside on the runway vs enclosed airport. Why are we having to do that?!

Delta
7.9
Good
3,016 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.1
Very good
1,393 reviews

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.1

Boarding

8.3

Crew

8.6

Food

7.2

Entertainment

7.2

Reviews

1 / 10

Overhead space to put my carry on that wasn’t taken by someone in a different seat. Dislike: Deplaning outside on the runway vs enclosed airport. Why are we having to do that?!

Allegiant Air
7.5
Good
103 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.1
Very good
1,393 reviews

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.1

Boarding

8.3

Crew

8.6

Food

7.2

Entertainment

7.2

Reviews

1 / 10

Overhead space to put my carry on that wasn’t taken by someone in a different seat. Dislike: Deplaning outside on the runway vs enclosed airport. Why are we having to do that?!

United Airlines
7.4
Good
1,887 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.1
Very good
1,393 reviews

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.1

Boarding

8.3

Crew

8.6

Food

7.2

Entertainment

7.2

Reviews

1 / 10

Overhead space to put my carry on that wasn’t taken by someone in a different seat. Dislike: Deplaning outside on the runway vs enclosed airport. Why are we having to do that?!

American Airlines
7.2
Good
2,635 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.1
Very good
1,393 reviews

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.1

Boarding

8.3

Crew

8.6

Food

7.2

Entertainment

7.2

Reviews

1 / 10

Overhead space to put my carry on that wasn’t taken by someone in a different seat. Dislike: Deplaning outside on the runway vs enclosed airport. Why are we having to do that?!

Related info for your journey

Useful info, stats and facts about Chicago to Los Angeles flights.

In the middle of a Chicago winter, it's good to know that dozens of flights are available to connect you to perpetually sunny Los Angeles on any day. If you're traveling to Los Angeles on vacation, you may find yourself wondering where the city actually is, since it feels like a million suburbs stretched end to end, but relax and get into the L.A. vibe. Whether you're headed for the beach, Hollywood or Disneyland, it won't take look for L.A. to win you over. Make it easy when you connect with a nonstop flight direct from Chicago.

How long is the flight from Chicago to Los Angeles?

If you catch a nonstop flight from Chicago to Los Angeles, you can expect to spend about four and a half hours in the air. If your flight includes a stopover, add the time spent changing planes to determine your total flight time.

Which airlines operate flights from Chicago to Los Angeles?

Most of the major U.S. airlines fly between Chicago and Los Angeles. Look for flights with Spirit, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United, and Southwest Airlines.

How frequent are flights between Chicago and Los Angeles?

Almost three dozen nonstop flights connect Chicago to Los Angeles every day, with hundreds more connections available if you're willing to take the time for a stopover. Flights depart beginning at 6 a.m. and keep going till midnight.

Which airports serve Chicago to Los Angeles?

Most of Chicago's air traffic flows through O'Hare International Airport, the second-busiest airport in the country, but Midway International Airport can also serve as your starting point to get to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles County, you'll find three airports: Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach Airport and the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank.

Which direct flight route between Chicago and Los Angeles is cheapest?

Flights from Chicago's biggest airport, O'Hare, to the biggest airport in Los Angeles, LAX, tend to be cheaper than other routes. If you can fly late in the day, you may also find some cheaper choices. Whether you're more interested in fine arts performances, sports or world-class shopping, your vacation in Los Angeles delivers it all under a blissfully sunny sky. A trip to the beach is mandatory, whether you choose Santa Monica, Malibu or some other relaxing haven. Drive through the Hollywood Hills and Santa Monica Mountains to marvel at the only city with a mountain range running through its midst, and look for movie stars' homes while you explore. Don't be surprised if you spot more movie starts while shopping on Beverly Hills' famed Rodeo Drive. In the summertime, head to the Hollywood Bowl for concerts under the stars, or marvel at architect Frank Gehry's amazing Walt Disney Concert Hall as you catch a performance by the L.A. Philharmonic. Just an hour or so of soaking up the sun on the beach may start you wondering whether you should move to Los Angeles. Check out our smart search engines to find the cheapest flights to La La Land.

How busy are the airports in Chicago and Los Angeles?

O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are the two main airports serving flights to Los Angeles from Chicago. You will find direct, one- and two-stop flights to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from either airport. ORD is the busier of the two airports, and it offers the most direct flights from Chicago to Los Angeles. However, you will also find a couple of direct flights to Los Angeles from MDW offered by budget carriers such as Southwest Airlines. MDW is much closer to downtown Chicago compared to ORD, so if you want easier access to the airport, it would be the better option.

Which airlines fly directly from Chicago to Los Angeles?

Spirit Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines are the main airlines that provide direct flights from Chicago to Los Angeles. These flights are available any time of the day at both airports in Chicago. The earliest flight is usually offered by American Airlines and the latest by United Airlines. Direct flights from Chicago to Los Angeles take about four hours and 30 minutes. American Airlines and United Airlines are the two main players offering direct flights to Los Angeles from Chicago, with at least five daily trips. Most flights are from ORD, while only Southwest Airlines offers direct flights from MDW to LAX.

What are the stopover options between Chicago and Los Angeles?

One- and two-stop flights are also available from Chicago to Los Angeles. American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Delta are the main airlines offering these connecting flights to Los Angeles from Chicago. Most American Airlines flights have a layover in Phoenix, while those offered by Delta stop in Atlanta. United Airlines’ flights stop in Denver, while Spirit Airlines’ flights have most layovers in Dallas. Other popular layover cities are Las Vegas, Miami, and Charlotte. Most of these flights add anywhere between one to three hours to the overall flight time, and they are more expensive than direct flights.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly from Chicago to Los Angeles?

US citizens will not need a passport or visa to fly to Los Angeles from Chicago. However, you will need a valid form of photo ID to take this trip. A valid form of ID is usually a government-issued document bearing your photo and name. As listed by TSA, some valid forms of ID include passports, driver’s licenses, permanent resident cards, border crossing cards, military IDs, and state-issued photo IDs. Kids below 18 don’t need an ID if they’re traveling with an adult with a valid ID. However, it is recommended to carry some form of ID, like a school ID card.

What airport do you fly into for flights to Los Angeles from Chicago?

Most people fly into Los Angeles (LAX) if they book a flight to Los Angeles from Chicago. On average, Los Angeles has 92 inbound flights from Chicago per day from 6 airlines. Los Angeles is conveniently located just 9.4 mi from Los Angeles’s city center.

Can I find flights from Chicago to Los Angeles for under $100 on Cheapflights?

Yes, there are multiple flights from Chicago to Los Angeles for under $100. The cheapest flight booked recently is on Spirit Airlines for just $69, but on average you can expect to pay $103.

Are there nonstop flights from Chicago to Los Angeles for under $100 on Cheapflights?

Cheapflights has at least 20 direct flights from Chicago to Los Angeles under $100. A good price for a nonstop flight from Chicago to Los Angeles is less than $116.

Are there last-minute flights available from Chicago to Los Angeles for under $100?

There are currently 20+ open flights from Chicago to Los Angeles within the next 7 days for less than $100.

What days are nonstop flights available from Chicago to Los Angeles?

You can find nonstop flights on the following days: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

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

On average 50 flights depart from Chicago to Los Angeles per day.
Morning (6am - Noon) - 44% of flight departures
Afternoon (Noon - 6pm) - 16% of flight departures
Evening (6pm - Midnight) - 40% of flight departures

How long is the flight from Chicago to Los Angeles?

A quick flight from Chicago to Los Angeles can take about 4h 38m. Spirit Airlines provides one of the quickest options available for as low as $69. Airlines will cover a distance of 1750 mi. Most flights are nonstop.

What is the cheapest airline to fly from Chicago to Los Angeles round-trip?

According to our current data, Spirit Airlines ($69), offers the cheapest pricing from Chicago to Los Angeles. Users have found that Spirit Airlines is 78% cheaper than the other options available to this destination.

What are the most popular airlines that fly from Chicago to Los Angeles?

What are the most reliable airlines from Chicago to Los Angeles?

Consider Sun Country Air (100%), China Southern (86%) or Air New Zealand (83%) when booking your flight. These represent the most reliable airlines when flying from Chicago to Los Angeles.

What are the cheapest flights from Chicago to Los Angeles?

While on average a flight from Chicago to Los Angeles is generally $702, our data shows the cheapest flight currently is $53. When looking at the most popular route, (Chicago O'Hare Intl - Los Angeles), you can expect to pay $92 for that flight.

What does ORD to LAX mean?

This is defined as Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport (ORD) and Los Angeles Airport (LAX). Codes like Los Angeles Airport are often used to just call airports uniquely. This flight route has multiple associated airports, so we think it might be helpful to learn the name and codes of them as well. They are Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), Chicago Greater Rockford Airport (RFD).

What are the most eco-friendly airlines from Chicago to Los Angeles?

Today, perhaps more than ever before, passengers are searching for sustainable travel options. When the time comes to book your next flight from Chicago to Los Angeles there are a number of eco-friendly airline carriers to choose from including Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines. United Airlines, for example, works closely with its partners on the ground to reduce jet fuel usage and waste in an effort to lower its emissions. Likewise, Spirit Airlines has invested in a newer fleet of aircraft which are lighter and more fuel efficient. Additionally, Spirit works with its passengers by offering incentives to travel lighter, thereby reducing the amount of fuel needed for flights, such as to Los Angeles from Chicago. American Airlines is another eco-friendly carrier which has instituted recycling policies and efforts to reduce carbon emissions. When you choose to fly with any of these airlines, you can rest assured that the environmental impact of your journey will be minimal.

How can I fly more sustainably from Chicago to Los Angeles?

There are several ways to implement sustainable travel practices into your personal habits. For example, it’s always a good idea to carpool or use public transportation to and from the airport in order to reduce emissions on the ground. It’s also helpful to pack as lightly as possible so as to reduce the amount of jet fuel needed for your flight. While you're in the air, try to select straw-free beverage options to reduce plastic waste. Of course before, during, or even after your flight it's also a good practice to donate to reforestation organizations working to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, such as those emitted by aircraft.

Top 6 airlines flying from Chicago to Los Angeles

The chart below displays the airlines Cheapflights users traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles choose most often. Cheapest and average prices are based on aggregated data from the past 12 months.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
United AirlinesCheapest$69Average$324FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
Search United Airlines flights
Spirit AirlinesCheapest$77Average$211FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time65%
Search Spirit Airlines flights
FrontierCheapest$84Average$188FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
Search Frontier flights
Alaska AirlinesCheapest$168Average$296FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time75%
Search Alaska Airlines flights
American AirlinesCheapest$188Average$384FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
Search American Airlines flights
DeltaCheapest$236Average$403FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
Search Delta flights

Hourly flight availability from Chicago to Los Angeles

See what time of day planes typically take off from Chicago to Los Angeles
1%of flight departuresEarly morningMidnight to 6 am
48%of flight departuresMorning6 am to noon
29%of flight departuresAfternoonNoon to 6 pm
22%of flight departuresEvening6 pm to midnight
Midnight
6 AM
Noon
6 PM

Weekly flight availability from Chicago to Los Angeles

See how many times per day planes take to the skies headed from Chicago to Los Angeles
Sunday87daily flights
Monday99daily flights
Tuesday93daily flights
Wednesday96daily flights
Thursday96daily flights
Friday96daily flights
Saturday80daily flights
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