Cheap flights from Chicago to Los Angeles
Compare live prices on the Chicago to Los Angeles route across American Airlines, United Airlines and 15 trusted booking sites. Every fare side-by-side, so you book wherever it's cheapest — direct with the airline or via a partner agent.
Cheapest months to fly Chicago to Los Angeles
When fares typically dip — and when to brace for peak pricing on the ORD → LAX route.
Route at a glance
Airports on this route
What to expect on arrival and how to get into town.
- Distance27 km (17 mi) northwest of Downtown Chicago
- Terminals4 terminals
- TransportCTA Blue Line to The Loop (~45 min)
- Distance27 km (17 mi) southwest of Downtown LA
- Terminals9 terminals (1–8 + Tom Bradley International)
- TransportLAX Shuttle to Metro K Line and FlyAway buses to Union Station
Airlines flying ORD → LAX
All major carriers operating scheduled service on the Chicago to Los Angeles route.
American Airlines (AA)
United Airlines (UA)
Planning your Chicago to Los Angeles trip
The Chicago to Los Angeles route covers roughly 2810 kilometres with a typical flight time of 4h 30m, and the time difference on arrival is −2h. Non-stop, so you can pick a routing that suits your schedule. The carriers that operate this corridor — including American Airlines, United Airlines — compete on price most aggressively in the shoulder months when demand is moderate, which is usually when meta-search engines surface the cheapest fares.
Pricing on Chicago to Los Angeles fluctuates throughout the year, but the pattern is consistent enough to plan around. Cheapest fares typically appear on Tuesday and Wednesday departures — leisure traffic clusters around Friday-to-Sunday, business travel on Monday and Thursday, leaving the midweek slots underpriced. If your dates are flexible by even a day or two, that flexibility is usually worth more than any specific booking trick. The "cheapest months" strip above shows how seasonal demand shapes fares on this specific route.
For the booking window itself, the sweet spot depends on the length of the flight. On long-haul routes the cheapest fare buckets typically open 11 months ahead and sell out 8–16 weeks before departure, so booking inside that window catches the lowest available bucket without paying the closer-in premium. On short-haul, that window compresses to 3–8 weeks. Booking dramatically further out is rarely cheaper because airlines withhold cheap inventory until the demand picture firms up.
Once you arrive in Los Angeles, you'll be paying in USD. Your card may add a non-sterling transaction fee of 2–3%, so a fee-free travel card can save real money if you're spending much locally. Power sockets, language and the visa requirements for UK passports are summarised in the "Destination guide" panel further down — worth a glance before you fly.
Exmoway compares prices on this route across airlines and 15+ trusted booking partners side-by-side. Sort by price, duration, or stops; filter by airline or departure-time window; or set a price alert and let us notify you when a fare drops below your target. We don't sell tickets ourselves — when you find the price you want, we send you direct to the airline or agent's checkout, with no booking fee from us.
Booking tips for Chicago to Los Angeles
Book at the right window
For Chicago to Los Angeles, the sweet spot is typically 6–10 weeks before departure. Last-minute bookings are usually the most expensive on this route.
Fly midweek
Tuesday and Wednesday departures are almost always cheaper than Friday or Sunday. Even shifting by one day can save 15–25% on Chicago to Los Angeles fares.
Set a price alert
Prices fluctuate daily. Set a price alert on Exmoway and we'll notify you when the Chicago → Los Angeles fare drops below your target.
Compare cabin classes
On Chicago to Los Angeles, premium economy can be only 50–80% more than economy and includes a checked bag plus more legroom. Worth a look on long-haul.
Mind the all-in price
Headline fares often exclude bags and seat selection. A £30 cheaper fare on a low-cost carrier can become £30 more expensive once you add a 20kg bag.
Try ±3 days
Shifting your departure by a couple of days regularly cuts Chicago to Los Angeles fares by 20% or more. The price strip on the search results page makes this quick to scan.
Los Angeles at a glance
Practical info for travellers landing in Los Angeles — what you'll need on arrival.
Top things to do in Los Angeles
Three highlights worth building your trip around once you land.
Frequently asked questions — Chicago to Los Angeles
Which airlines fly from Chicago to Los Angeles?
American Airlines, United Airlines all operate scheduled services on the Chicago (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX) route. Compare live prices across all of them on Exmoway — the cheapest option changes daily.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Los Angeles?
The typical flight time from Chicago to Los Angeles is around 4h 30m. Non-stop journeys are at the shorter end; flights with a connection depend on the layover length.
Are there non-stop flights from Chicago to Los Angeles?
Non-stop on the Chicago to Los Angeles route. Use the "non-stop only" filter on the Exmoway results page to see only those options.
How far is the Chicago to Los Angeles flight?
The great-circle distance from Chicago to Los Angeles is approximately 2810 km (1746 miles). Actual flown distance is a touch longer due to routing and air-traffic constraints.
What's the time difference between Chicago and Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is −2h from Chicago. Plan sleep and meals around your arrival time to make adjusting easier — your direction of travel matters too (eastward flights tend to feel rougher than westward).
When is the cheapest time to fly Chicago to Los Angeles?
Midweek departures (Tuesday and Wednesday) are typically the cheapest. Booking 6–8 weeks ahead and avoiding the July–August and late-December peaks usually gets you the lowest fares on this route.
How far in advance should I book?
For short-haul flights, 3–6 weeks ahead is the sweet spot. For long-haul Chicago to Los Angeles flights, aim for 8–16 weeks ahead. Set a price alert on Exmoway if your dates are flexible.
Where do I actually book?
Exmoway compares prices across airlines and booking agents, then sends you straight to the cheapest site to complete the purchase. We don't sell tickets ourselves, so you always book directly with the airline or a trusted third-party agent. We never take payment.
More flights from Chicago
Other popular routes departing Chicago.
Other ways to fly to Los Angeles
Flying to Los Angeles from elsewhere? These are the most popular alternatives.
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Compare Chicago to Los Angeles flights →⚠ Prices shown are live estimates from our agency partners — Exmoway aims to keep them as close as possible to the final price, but the exact amount is set by the booking agency at checkout. Always confirm the final price with the agency before paying. Exmoway is not involved in the booking or payment.