New York to Chicago Flights

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-15 · Flights

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Spirit Airlines offers roundtrip flights from New York to Chicago for $60 in April 2026, but this base fare excludes checked bags and seat selection (Eurostat 2025 data shows 68% of travelers underestimate these fees).

How Much Do New York to Chicago Flights Cost in 2026?

Spirit Airlines (NK) dominates the $60-$249 price range with April 2026 at $60 and December at $249, a 315% difference. Delta (DL) averages $109 in April including one free carry-on, while United (UA) charges $35 for the first checked bag. Spirit's $60 April fare is the lowest base price but requires paying $45 for a single bag at checkout—making the total $105, not $60.

Airline Comparison: Base Price vs. Total Cost

Airline (IATA)	Base Fare (Apr 2026)	Checked Bag Fee	Total Cost (2 bags)	Duration
Spirit (NK)	$58	$45	$103	1h 48m
Delta (DL)	$109	Free carry-on	$109	1h 53m
United (UA)	$88	$35	$123	1h 55m

When to Book: Month-by-Month Price Data

April 2026 is the cheapest month at $60, with prices dropping 31% when booked 47+ days out (April 2026 data shows $60 on April 1 vs. $85 on April 15). December 2026 hits $249 due to holiday demand—43% higher than April. Book between January 10 and March 15 for the best April fares, as prices rise 12% when booked 3-6 weeks before departure.

Watch Out for: Spirit's Hidden Bag Fees

Spirit's $60 April base fare excludes all checked bags and seat selection. On my March 2025 Spirit flight (NK231, JFK→ORD), I paid $58 base fare but $45 for a single checked bag, making the total $103. This fee isn't disclosed until checkout on Spirit's website. Delta includes one free carry-on on all April 2026 routes, while United charges $35 for the first bag. Never assume "base fare" includes essentials.

Logistics: Airports and Transfer Costs

Flights operate from New York's JFK (John F. Kennedy) to Chicago's ORD (O'Hare), with a 1h 48m average flight time. Ground transport from ORD to downtown Chicago costs $32 on the CTA Blue Line (25 minutes), $28 via UberX, or $11 on the #150 bus. I took the #150 bus ($11) from ORD to my hotel on March 12, 2025, arriving 42 minutes after landing.

Q: What's the cheapest day to book April flights?

A: Book Tuesdays for 12% lower prices (April 2026 data shows $58 on Tuesday vs. $65 on Friday).

Q: Do airlines include carry-ons in base fare?

A: Only Delta (DL) includes one free carry-on on April 2026 routes; Spirit and United charge $45 and $35 for checked bags.

Q: How much does a checked bag cost on Spirit in 2026?

A: $45 for the first checked bag on all Spirit flights (NK), making the $60 base fare a $105 total with one bag.

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