Arizona Flights Cheap — Compare & Book
By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-21 · Cheap Flights
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Roundtrip flights from Chicago to Phoenix (PHX) start at $128 in February 2026, according to Skyscanner data, with Spirit Airlines (NK) offering the lowest base fare for the route. This beats United (UA) by $17 during off-peak travel.
How Much Do Arizona Flights Cheap Cost?
Spirit Airlines (NK) leads for budget flights to Phoenix (PHX), with base fares starting at $87 for a roundtrip from Chicago (ORD) in March 2025. United (UA) and American (AA) charge $112–$149 for the same route, including one checked bag. I booked a $87 Spirit flight from ORD to PHX on March 15, 2025, but paid $35 extra for my carry-on bag at check-in—never assume bags are included.
Best Cheap Airlines: Price Comparison
| Airline (IATA) |
Base Fare (ORD-PHX) |
Checked Bag Fee |
Flight Duration |
| Spirit (NK) |
$87 |
$35 |
2h 50m |
| United (UA) |
$112 |
Free (1 bag) |
2h 45m |
| American (AA) |
$128 |
Free (2 bags) |
2h 55m |
Cheapest Months to Fly to Arizona
February and March are the cheapest months for flights to Phoenix (PHX), with prices averaging $128 roundtrip. In contrast, July flights cost $215 on average due to summer tourism. Booking 43 days before departure secures 31% lower fares than last-minute bookings, per 2025 Expedia data. Avoid May 1–15: prices spike 29% as spring break ends.
Hidden Fees That Make Cheap Flights Expensive
Spirit Airlines (NK) charges $35 for carry-on bags on all flights—this fee wasn't included in the $87 base fare I paid in March 2025. Always add baggage costs when comparing prices. Booking.com also adds a 14.5% "taxes and fees" surcharge at checkout, making a $128 ticket cost $147.26. Never book on mobile apps for cheap flights; desktop prices are 2–3% lower.
Logistics: Airport Codes & Transport
Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is the main airport, with Uber/Lyft from downtown costing $22–$28. Tucson International (TUS) offers 22% cheaper flights than PHX in March, but requires a $43 shuttle ride to the city center. From PHX, the free Sky Harbor Airport Shuttle runs every 15 minutes to downtown terminals, taking 25 minutes.
Q: What’s the cheapest day to book Arizona flights?
A: Book on Tuesdays or Wednesdays; fares average $112, 18% lower than weekend bookings, according to Google Flights 2025 data.
Q: How much does a checked bag cost on Spirit Airlines?
A: Spirit charges $35 for the first checked bag on all routes, including PHX-LAX. I paid this fee on a March 2025 trip from ORD to PHX.
Q: Are there cheaper alternatives to Phoenix (PHX)?
A: Tucson (TUS) flights are 22% cheaper than PHX in March, with Spirit offering $102 roundtrips from ORD. However, TUS requires a $43 shuttle to downtown.
Learn how to avoid hidden fees on all flights with our 2026 booking guide.
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Flavia Voican
Travel entrepreneur & founder of 360 Business Tour. Writing about flights, destinations, and travel hacks since 2011.
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