LAX to Chicago one-way fares as low as $75 are real greenspicks pulled actual Travelpayouts data to show which airlines and dates delivered the cheapest observed prices.
Direct Answer: How Cheap Are Flights from LA to Chicago Right Now?
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LAX to Chicago Fare Range: What greenspicks Actually Found
greenspicks pulled Travelpayouts fares on June 12, 2026 and observed one-way prices ranging from $75 to $363 across LAX-area airports to ORD and MDW. The editorial team searched 8 route combinations and received fare data for all 8 routes.
These prices represent individual cached observations across different travel dates in July and August 2026. They are not a controlled price comparison or a guaranteed fare range for any specific booking date.
Here is what the data showed for specific observations:
- $75 Frontier LAX to ORD on July 21, 2026 (nonstop, 4h 18m)
- $99 Frontier LAX to ORD on July 18, 2026 (nonstop, 4h 18m)
- $106 Frontier LAX to ORD on August 8, 2026 (nonstop, 4h 18m)
- $117 Frontier LAX to ORD on July 12, 2026 (nonstop, 4h 18m)
- $120 Southwest ONT to MDW on July 15, 2026 (1 stop, 5h 35m)
- $121 Southwest LAX to MDW on August 8, 2026 (1 stop, 9h 30m)
- $122 American LAX to ORD on August 10, 2026 (nonstop, 4h 24m)
Key finding:
The $75 lowest observed fare was a true nonstop at 4h 18m flight time, not a budget connection with a long layover. This matters because some low fares involve 10+ hour travel times due to connections.
The fare spread from $75 to $363 reflects real variation across dates, airlines, airports, and connection requirements. Readers booking different dates will see different prices.
Which Airlines Fly LA to Chicago for Less?
The greenspicks editorial team observed fares from five airlines operating between LA-area airports and Chicago: Frontier (F9), American (AA), Southwest (WN), Alaska (AS), and United (UA).
These are individual cached observations from different travel dates, not a controlled airline price comparison. Each fare below represents a single data point:
- Frontier: $75 on July 21, 2026 (LAX-ORD nonstop)
- American: $122 on August 10, 2026 (LAX-ORD nonstop)
- Southwest: $120 on July 15, 2026 (ONT-MDW, 1 stop)
- Alaska: $138 on August 8, 2026 (BUR-ORD, 1 stop)
- United: $193 on August 28, 2026 (BUR-ORD, 1 stop)
Frontier appeared at the lowest observed price points in this data set. However, budget carriers like Frontier charge separately for carry-on bags, checked bags, and seat selection. For a full cost comparison, review our airline baggage fees comparison before booking.
ORD vs MDW: Which Chicago Airport Is Cheaper to Fly Into?
greenspicks reviewed fares to both ORD (O’Hare) and MDW (Midway) and found the lowest observed ORD fare was $75 while the lowest observed MDW fare was $120.
In this June 2026 data set, ORD fares from LAX started lower and offered nonstop options. The $75 Frontier LAX-ORD fare was a direct 4h 18m flight. The $120 Southwest ONT-MDW fare required one stop and took 5h 35m total.
MDW fares in the observed data generally involved connections rather than nonstops when departing from LAX-area airports. The LAX-MDW Southwest fare at $121 on August 8 took 9h 30m due to a connection.
Key finding:
In June 2026 data, ORD offered both lower base fares and faster nonstop flights from LAX. MDW may still make sense if your Chicago destination is on the South Side, but expect longer travel times and potentially higher fares from LA.
This is what the June 2026 data showed. Fare relationships between airports change over time, so check both ORD and MDW for your specific dates.
Alternate LA-Area Airports: BUR, ONT, SNA Fare Check
greenspicks checked fares from BUR (Burbank), ONT (Ontario), and SNA (John Wayne/Orange County) to Chicago and found mixed results. Some routes were competitive, but LAX-ORD nonstops were cheaper in this data set.
Here are observed fares from alternate airports:
- ONT to ORD: $126 Frontier on July 15, 2026 (1 stop, 11h 57m)
- ONT to MDW: $120 Southwest on July 15, 2026 (1 stop, 5h 35m)
- BUR to ORD: $138 Alaska on August 8, 2026 (1 stop, 8h 50m)
- BUR to MDW: $173 Southwest on July 12, 2026 (1 stop, 6h 40m)
- SNA to ORD: $150 Alaska on July 15, 2026 (1 stop, 8h 51m)
- SNA to MDW: $197 Southwest on August 8, 2026 (1 stop, 8h 35m)
The tradeoff is clear: alternate airports required connections on all observed routes, adding significant travel time. The $126 ONT-ORD fare took nearly 12 hours total. Meanwhile, LAX-ORD nonstops at $75-$125 completed the trip in about 4 hours 18 minutes.
If you live closer to BUR, ONT, or SNA, the convenience of a nearby airport may offset the price difference. But for pure fare savings, LAX-ORD dominated this data set.
How to Book Cheap LA to Chicago Flights: Step-by-Step
This process mirrors how the greenspicks editorial team pulls fare data. Checking multiple date combinations and comparing booking sources increases your chances of finding lower prices.
- 1
Start with a flexible date search
Use a fare search tool that shows prices across multiple dates at once. This lets you spot lower-priced days without checking each date individually. Learn more about flexible date flight searches to find the right tool.
- 2
Compare LAX, BUR, ONT, and SNA origins
Run separate searches from each LA-area airport. In the June 2026 data, LAX-ORD had the lowest fares. But airport availability changes, and a nearby alternate might work better for your schedule.
- 3
Check both ORD and MDW destinations
O’Hare (ORD) showed lower fares and more nonstop options in this data set. Midway (MDW) may be more convenient depending on where you are staying in Chicago. Search both and factor in ground transport time.
- 4
Prioritize nonstop options to avoid long travel times
Some low fares come with connections that add 5-8 hours to your trip. The $75 LAX-ORD fare took 4h 18m nonstop. A $126 ONT-ORD fare took 11h 57m. Check total travel time, not just ticket price.
- 5
Book directly or via an aggregator
Once you find a fare, compare the price on the airline’s website and through aggregators. Some airlines offer price matching or additional perks for direct bookings. Aggregators may surface deals the airline site does not show.
Ready to search? Compare current LAX to Chicago fares — check current fares for your dates.
- 6
Set fare alerts for price drops
If your dates are flexible by a few weeks, set alerts on your preferred route. Prices fluctuate daily. An alert can notify you when fares drop below a threshold you set. Check our guide on the cheapest days to fly for general patterns.
Observed Fares Table: LAX-Area to Chicago
The table below shows individual fare observations from Travelpayouts, pulled June 12, 2026. These are separate data points across different dates, not an airline ranking.
| Origin | Destination | Airline | Price (One-Way) | Date | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAX | ORD | Frontier | $75 | July 21, 2026 | Nonstop | 4h 18m |
| LAX | ORD | Frontier | $99 | July 18, 2026 | Nonstop | 4h 18m |
| LAX | ORD | Frontier | $106 | Aug 8, 2026 | Nonstop | 4h 18m |
| LAX | ORD | American | $122 | Aug 10, 2026 | Nonstop | 4h 24m |
| ONT | MDW | Southwest | $120 | July 15, 2026 | 1 stop | 5h 35m |
| BUR | ORD | Alaska | $138 | Aug 8, 2026 | 1 stop | 8h 50m |
Data source: Travelpayouts. Retrieved June 12, 2026. Prices change often — verify before booking.
What This Data Does Not Cover
The greenspicks editorial team used the Travelpayouts /aviasales/v3/prices_for_dates API to pull fare data on June 12, 2026. The search covered 8 route combinations between LA-area airports (LAX, BUR, ONT, SNA) and Chicago airports (ORD, MDW). All 8 routes returned fare data.
This data has real limitations:
- No baggage fee data included. Frontier and other budget carriers charge separately for carry-on and checked bags.
- No historical price trends or seasonal averages. These are point-in-time cached observations.
- No booking-window optimization data. The data does not show whether booking earlier or later yields lower fares.
- No seat selection, priority boarding, or ancillary fee data.
- No guaranteed-cheapest claims. Fares change constantly and may differ when you search.
Treat these numbers as a snapshot of what was available in early June 2026. Your search results will vary.
How We Researched These Prices
Our editorial team reviews flight routes, nearby airport pairs, airline options, fare patterns, booking-source data, transport choices, and destination-specific travel context before publishing each guide. For this article, we used the Travelpayouts /aviasales/v3/prices_for_dates API, searching 8 route combinations and receiving fare data for all 8 routes. Data was retrieved on June 12, 2026. The data measures one-way base fares only. It does not include baggage fees, seat selection fees, historical comparisons, or booking-window recommendations. Affiliate platforms may be used as booking references and data inputs, but recommendations are written to prioritize usefulness, price clarity, and reader decision-making.
FAQ: Cheap Flights from Los Angeles to Chicago
What is the cheapest flight from LA to Chicago?
The lowest one-way fare greenspicks observed was $75 on Frontier from LAX to ORD, a nonstop flight taking 4 hours 18 minutes, via Travelpayouts June 12, 2026. Fares change daily. This was a specific observation for July 21, 2026 travel. Verify current prices before booking.
Is it cheaper to fly into ORD or MDW?
In greenspicks’ June 2026 data, ORD fares started lower ($75) than MDW ($120). ORD also offered more nonstop options from LAX. MDW may still be convenient depending on your Chicago destination, particularly if you are staying on the South Side. Check both airports for your travel dates.
Which airlines fly LAX to Chicago?
Observed airlines included Frontier, American, Southwest, Alaska, and United. Frontier appeared at the lowest observed price points in the June 2026 data set. Each airline has different baggage policies and fee structures, so compare total costs including bags before booking.
When is the cheapest time to fly LA to Chicago?
The greenspicks data set does not include monthly averages or historical trends. General guidance from DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics suggests midweek departures often price lower than weekends. See our guide on the best time to book flights for broader patterns.
How long is the flight from LAX to ORD?
Nonstop flights run approximately 4 hours 18 minutes to 4 hours 24 minutes based on observed data. Connecting flights ranged significantly longer, with some observations showing 10+ hours total travel time due to layovers.
Are budget airlines safe?
Yes. Frontier, and Southwest operate under the same FAA safety regulations as legacy carriers like American and United. Budget airlines save money through ancillary fees and tighter seat pitch, not safety shortcuts. All US commercial airlines must meet identical safety standards.
Should I fly out of BUR or ONT instead of LAX?
In this data set, LAX-ORD nonstops were cheaper than BUR or ONT options. BUR-ORD fares started at $138 with connections taking 8+ hours. ONT-ORD started at $126 with nearly 12 hours travel time. Check all airports for your dates, but LAX dominated on price and travel time in June 2026.