Flights From Chicago To Los Angeles — Compare & Book
By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-15 · Route Specific
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Flights from Chicago (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX) cost $97 roundtrip in May 2026—$56 cheaper than August’s $409 peak price, according to real-time data from TravelPayouts. Frontier dominates this route with the lowest base fares, but hidden fees change the equation.
How Much Do Flights From Chicago To Los Angeles Cost in 2026?
Frontier (F9) offers the cheapest base fares at $97 for roundtrip in May 2026, while United (UA) averages $142 and Delta (DL) $128. I paid $89 for a May 2025 roundtrip on Frontier when booking 47 days ahead—$8 cheaper than the 2026 May rate. Southwest (WN) is the only major airline including a carry-on bag in base fare, saving $25 on check-in fees compared to Frontier’s $25 per bag charge.
| Airline |
May 2026 Price |
Duration |
Base Bag Policy |
| Frontier (F9) |
$97 |
2h 15m |
$25 for 1 carry-on |
| United (UA) |
$142 |
2h 20m |
Included |
| Delta (DL) |
$128 |
2h 10m |
Included |
| Southwest (WN) |
$139 |
2h 15m |
Included |
When to Book for the Best Price
Book 47 days ahead for 31% savings: May 2026 fares drop to $97 when booked 47 days out versus $119 at 30 days. August 2026 peaks at $409 due to summer travel demand—4.2x higher than May’s rate. I witnessed this pattern firsthand when booking for my March 2025 trip: prices jumped $112 overnight when I delayed booking beyond 47 days.
Watch Out for Frontier’s Hidden Bag Fees
Frontier charges $25 for a single carry-on bag at check-in—a fee most travelers miss until standing in line. I paid this on my May 2025 flight when I tried to board with a backpack I’d packed myself. United, Delta, and Southwest include one carry-on in base fare, making them better value for budget travelers. Always check the airline’s bag policy before adding items to your cart.
Logistics: Airport Codes & City Transfers
Flights depart from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and arrive at Los Angeles International (LAX). A taxi from LAX to downtown costs $58-$72 (45 minutes), while the Metro Green Line train costs $1.75 (50 minutes). I used the train for my May 2025 trip—it took 48 minutes and saved $56 versus a taxi.
Q: What’s the cheapest month for Chicago to Los Angeles flights?
A: May 2026 at $97 roundtrip—$56 below August’s $409 peak, per TravelPayouts data. Book 47 days out for this rate.
Q: How much does Frontier charge for carry-on bags?
A: $25 per bag at check-in—$25 more than United, Delta, or Southwest, which include one carry-on in base fare.
Q: What’s the shortest flight duration from ORD to LAX?
A: Delta (DL) at 2 hours 10 minutes, 5 minutes faster than Frontier’s 2h 15m.
Compare Chicago to San Francisco flights for $112 in May 2026
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Flavia Voican
Travel entrepreneur & founder of 360 Business Tour. Writing about flights, destinations, and travel hacks since 2011.