Chicago O'Hare to Los Angeles LAX Flights: Nonstop Guide

Chicago to Los Angeles is a nonstop of roughly 4 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes westbound from O'Hare, and you set your watch back 2 hours on landing because Los Angeles is on Pacific time and Chicago on Central time. As of recent schedules, United, American and Delta fly O'Hare (ORD) to Los Angeles International (LAX) nonstop. Southwest flies to LAX from Chicago Midway instead. Frequencies change by season, so check the airline's timetable for your dates.

Who flies O'Hare to LAX nonstop

• United uses O'Hare as one of its biggest hubs and flies the route many times a day, from Terminal 1 at ORD to Terminals 7 and 8 at LAX.
• American also runs a hub at O'Hare, flying from Terminal 3 to LAX Terminal 4.
• Delta flies from O'Hare Terminal 5 to LAX Terminals 2 and 3, with fewer daily departures than the two hub airlines.

Because two airlines run hubs at O'Hare, a cancelled flight usually has a same-day backup on the same carrier. That matters most in winter. See our United Airlines and American Airlines pages for each network.

O'Hare or Midway?

Chicago Midway (MDW) is Southwest's Chicago base, about 10 miles southwest of the Loop, and Southwest flies Midway to LAX nonstop. Midway is often quicker to reach from the South Side and the southwest suburbs, and the CTA Orange Line runs from the Loop straight to the terminal. O'Hare suits the North Side, the northwest suburbs and anyone who wants the widest choice of times; the CTA Blue Line runs to O'Hare around the clock. If you hold Southwest points or want a carry-on included on every fare, price Midway too.

The Los Angeles side: LAX or a smaller airport

LAX has the most Chicago flights by far, but where you are going in Southern California matters more than the flight time. Burbank (BUR) suits Hollywood, Pasadena and the San Fernando Valley; Long Beach (LGB) and Orange County (SNA) suit the South Bay, Long Beach, Anaheim and Irvine; Ontario (ONT) suits the Inland Empire. Chicago service to these airports is thinner and can be seasonal or limited to certain days, so search them with flexible dates in the fare grid. Our nonstop vs connecting guide explains when a one-stop trip is worth it.

Winter at O'Hare

From December to March, snow and deicing are the biggest risk to an on-time departure. Morning flights are less likely to be hit by delays that build through the day, and booking a nonstop removes the risk of a missed connection somewhere else. If your flight is cancelled, our guide to what airlines owe you after a delay or cancellation explains refunds and rebooking. Summer thunderstorms around Chicago can cause afternoon ground stops too.

Arriving at LAX

LAX is being rebuilt, and Terminal 5 closed in October 2025 for a rebuild expected to last to 2028, so some airlines have moved; confirm the terminal on your boarding pass. To leave the airport:

• Taxis and rideshare pick up at the LAX-it lot, reached by a free shuttle from each terminal.
• The FlyAway bus runs to Union Station downtown.
• Metro rail connects at the LAX/Metro Transit Center, reached by free shuttle bus until the airport's people mover train opens, expected in 2027.

Our LAX airport guide has terminal and transport details.

ID and security at O'Hare

This is a domestic flight, so there is no passport control or customs. TSA has enforced REAL ID since May 7, 2025: bring an Illinois license with the REAL ID star, a US passport or passport card, or another ID on TSA's list. Travelers with no acceptable ID can try TSA ConfirmID, which carries a fee and takes extra time; tsa.gov has the current fee. O'Hare's checkpoints are busiest early on Monday mornings and before holiday weekends, and TSA PreCheck lanes save the most time at both O'Hare and LAX. Our REAL ID guide lists what to bring.

Bags and basic economy on this route

• United Basic Economy on domestic routes includes only a personal item, not a full-size carry-on. On a hub route where United carries the most passengers, this is the rule most likely to surprise you at the gate.
• American and Delta basic fares include a carry-on and a personal item, but restrict seat choice and changes.
• Southwest from Midway includes a carry-on on every fare; since May 2025 checked bags cost extra on most fares, and since January 27, 2026 seats are assigned.

See basic economy explained and airline baggage rules.

Best time to fly Chicago to Los Angeles

Los Angeles has mild weather all year, so demand from Chicago rises when Chicago is cold: winter breaks, spring break and the holidays fill early. Late April, May, September and October are often calmer, with pleasant weather at both ends. Sunday evening and Monday morning flights fill with business travelers, while Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are usually quieter. Thanksgiving week and the days after Christmas are the busiest of the year.

Cabins on the route

As a long domestic flight between two hubs, Chicago to Los Angeles often gets larger aircraft than shorter routes, and United and American sell first class and extra-legroom economy on most departures. Delta sells First and Comfort seats. If you want lie-flat seats, check the seat map before you book, because the aircraft type varies by flight and day.

Flying back: LAX to Chicago

The eastbound flight is usually shorter, closer to 4 hours, thanks to the jet stream, but you lose 2 hours on the clock, so a midday departure lands in Chicago in the evening. Red-eye flights leave LAX late at night and land at O'Hare early the next morning, a common choice for a work trip. Allow extra time at LAX security on Sunday afternoons.

Tips for this route

• Compare O'Hare with Midway, and LAX with Burbank or Orange County, using the fare grid on this page.
• For a winter trip, book the earliest nonstop you can manage.
• Read the fare rules before you pay: the cheapest United fare does not include a carry-on.