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$140+ Cheap flights from Illinois to Santa Barbara (SBA)

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 9/17. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
ORD — SBA
Jun 21 — Jun 281
Sat 6/21
Sat 6/28
1 adult, Economy
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Cheap flight deals from Illinois to Santa Barbara

Keep the following information in mind while searching for Illinois to Santa Barbara flight deals. Data was last updated June 16, 2025.

Round-trip from

$285
(United Airlines)

One-way from

$140
(Delta)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

September

Average price

$277
From Illinois to Santa Barbara
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One-way flight from Illinois to Santa Barbara
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 9% potential increase in price ($28 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 3% potential price decrease ($9 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in June 2025
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Find flight deals from Illinois to Santa Barbara

Cheapest flights from Illinois to Santa Barbara
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Illinois to Santa Barbara. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on June 16, 2025.

This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/15. 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.
Mon 6/306:15 pmORD - SBA
1 stop7h 43mUnited Airlines
Fri 7/412:52 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop6h 12mUnited Airlines
Deal found 6/15$285
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/14. 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.
Wed 9/175:30 amMLI - SBA
1 stop8h 03mAmerican Airlines
Wed 9/2412:23 pmSBA - MLI
1 stop7h 09mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/14$289
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/15. 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.
Mon 6/3011:55 amORD - SBA
2 stops8h 24mAmerican Airlines
Fri 7/41:14 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop5h 48mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/15$290
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/14. 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.
Tue 7/295:54 pmORD - SBA
1 stop18h 38mAlaska Airlines
Tue 8/57:30 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop8h 10mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 6/14$301
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/14. 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.
Tue 7/295:35 amORD - SBA
2 stops12h 32mDelta
Tue 8/512:40 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop7h 28mDelta
Deal found 6/14$307
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/14. 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.
Thu 9/47:10 amSTL - SBA
1 stop6h 23mAmerican Airlines
Sun 9/74:36 pmSBA - STL
1 stop5h 28mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/14$350
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/15. 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.
Sat 7/196:55 pmORD - SBA
1 stop6h 25mSouthwest
Wed 7/2312:30 pmSBA - ORD
1 stop9h 10mSouthwest
Deal found 6/15$354
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/15. 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.
Thu 11/61:30 pmSTL - SBA
1 stop8h 44mDelta
Mon 11/105:00 pmSBA - STL
1 stop5h 37mDelta
Deal found 6/15$416
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/16. 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.
Wed 9/176:30 amMLI - SBA
2 stops13h 14mUnited Airlines
Wed 9/246:25 pmSBA - MLI
3 stops13h 50mUnited Airlines
Deal found 6/16$419
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/15. 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.
Wed 7/236:25 pmSTL - SBA
1 stop6h 30mSouthwest
Sun 7/275:50 amSBA - STL
2 stops11h 25mSouthwest
Deal found 6/15$462
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/15. 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.
Wed 7/237:32 pmSTL - SBA
1 stop25h 06mAlaska Airlines
Sun 7/277:30 pmSBA - STL
1 stop16h 56mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 6/15$468
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/14. 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.
Thu 9/411:05 amSTL - SBA
3 stops13h 09mUnited Airlines
Sun 9/75:30 amSBA - STL
2 stops8h 14mUnited Airlines
Deal found 6/14$477

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Customize your flight search to find flights from Illinois to Santa Barbara 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 June 16, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Illinois to Santa Barbara that are best for you.

Fly from

Illinois

Fly to

Santa Barbara

Route

Depart

Return

Price

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 6/30

6:15 pm-11:58 pm

1 stop7h 43m

Santa Barbara

Fri 7/4

12:52 pm-9:04 pm

1 stop6h 12m

$285

MolineSanta Barbara

MLI - SBA

MLISBA

Moline Quad-City

Wed 9/17

5:30 am-11:33 am

1 stop8h 03m

Santa Barbara

Wed 9/24

12:23 pm-9:32 pm

1 stop7h 09m

$289

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 6/30

11:55 am-6:19 pm

2 stops8h 24m

Santa Barbara

Fri 7/4

1:14 pm-9:02 pm

1 stop5h 48m

$290

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 7/29

8:42 pm-10:32 am

1 stop15h 50m

Santa Barbara

Tue 8/5

7:30 pm-5:40 am

1 stop8h 10m

$301

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 7/29

5:35 am-4:07 pm

2 stops12h 32m

Santa Barbara

Tue 8/5

12:40 pm-10:08 pm

1 stop7h 28m

$307

St. LouisSanta Barbara

STL - SBA

STLSBA

Lambert-St Louis

Thu 9/4

7:10 am-11:33 am

1 stop6h 23m

Santa Barbara

Sun 9/7

4:36 pm-12:04 am

1 stop5h 28m

$350

ChicagoSanta Barbara

ORD - SBA

ORDSBA

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 7/19

6:55 pm-11:20 pm

1 stop6h 25m

Santa Barbara

Wed 7/23

12:30 pm-11:40 pm

1 stop9h 10m

$354

St. LouisSanta Barbara

STL - SBA

STLSBA

Lambert-St Louis

Thu 11/6

1:30 pm-8:14 pm

1 stop8h 44m

Santa Barbara

Mon 11/10

5:00 pm-12:37 am

1 stop5h 37m

$416

MolineSanta Barbara

MLI - SBA

MLISBA

Moline Quad-City

Wed 9/17

6:30 am-5:44 pm

2 stops13h 14m

Santa Barbara

Wed 9/24

6:25 pm-10:15 am

3 stops13h 50m

$419

St. LouisSanta Barbara

STL - SBA

STLSBA

Lambert-St Louis

Wed 7/23

6:25 pm-10:55 pm

1 stop6h 30m

Santa Barbara

Sun 7/27

5:50 am-7:15 pm

2 stops11h 25m

$462

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 6/16

Showing 1-10 of 23 results
1
2
3

Best time to book a flight from Illinois to Santa Barbara

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Santa Barbara from Illinois 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 Illinois to Santa Barbara

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

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Illinois to Santa Barbara (average of $353). Flying from Illinois to Santa Barbara in June is currently the most expensive (average of $477). 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 IL to SBA?

Find hourly flight availability from Illinois to Santa Barbara. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated June 16, 2025.

Regardless of the time of day you decide to fly, the ticket price will remain around the same. Book flights from Illinois to Santa Barbara as you normally would.

Rainfall in Santa Barbara by month

Plan your trip to Santa Barbara by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Santa Barbara ranges from 0.0 - 3.5 inches per month. January is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 3.5 in. May is typically the driest time to visit Santa Barbara when rainfall is around 0.0 in.

Temperature in Santa Barbara by month

Plan your trip to Santa Barbara by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Santa Barbara, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 62.6 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 51.8 F).

Reviews of airlines servicing Santa Barbara

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Santa Barbara. 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 Santa Barbara. Reviews last updated June 16, 2025.
See what other customers who have flown with Alaska Airlines, Southwest and Delta from Illinois to Santa Barbara have to say. You can also see how each airline compares in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.1

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

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

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.1

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

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
4,278 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.1

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

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
7,963 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.1

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

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
7.9
Good
2,500 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.1

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

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
8,801 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.1

Food

7.1

Crew

8.5

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 Illinois to Santa Barbara. 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 into for flights to Santa Barbara from Illinois?

    Most people fly into Santa Barbara (SBA) if they book a flight to Santa Barbara from Illinois. Santa Barbara is conveniently located just 8.0 mi from Santa Barbara’s city center.

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

    $140 is the cheapest one-way deal found within the past few days, from Delta. You may also be able to find cheap deals on American Airlines and United Airlines, with prices starting from $145 and $154, respectively.

  • What are the most popular routes from Illinois to Santa Barbara?

    While some choose either Lambert-St Louis - Santa Barbara or Moline Quad-City - Santa Barbara, Chicago O'Hare Intl - Santa Barbara is the most popular route from Illinois to Santa Barbara.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Illinois to Santa Barbara 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 Illinois to Santa Barbara?

    Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Illinois to Santa Barbara (average of $353). Flying from Illinois to Santa Barbara in June is currently the most expensive (average of $477). 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 Illinois?

Book flights to Illinois if you plan to visit one of these locations
Buellton
Santa Ynez

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Alternative routes for Illinois to Santa Barbara

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
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Top 4 airlines flying from Illinois to Santa Barbara

Discover the top 4 airlines that operate flights from Illinois to Santa Barbara. 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 June 16, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
American AirlinesCheapest$288Average$401FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
SouthwestCheapest$312Average$511FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
DeltaCheapest$318Average$417FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
United AirlinesCheapest$346Average$485FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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