Chicago O'Hare to New York LaGuardia Flights (ORD to LGA)

Chicago O'Hare to New York LaGuardia is one of the busiest business routes in the country, with nonstop flights roughly every hour from early morning to late evening. As of recent schedules, American, United and Delta all fly ORD to LGA nonstop. The flight takes about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes eastbound, and you lose an hour on the clock because New York is on Eastern time and Chicago is on Central time. Check the airline's own timetable for your date, since frequencies change by day of week and season.

Who flies O'Hare to LaGuardia nonstop

• United flies it from its O'Hare hub with many departures a day, mostly from Terminal 1.
• American also runs it as a hub route from O'Hare, mostly from Terminal 3, with departures spread through the day.
• Delta flies it between O'Hare and its LaGuardia base, with fewer daily flights than the two Chicago hub airlines.

With this much choice, the departure time and fare type usually matter more than the airline. If one carrier's evening flight cancels, the next nonstop on the same airline is often only an hour or two later, which is a real advantage over thinner routes. Our guide to nonstop vs connecting flights explains why that matters when weather hits.

Other airports in Chicago and New York

Both cities have more than one airport, and the right pair depends on where you start and finish.

• Chicago Midway (MDW) is closer to the Loop and the South Side. Southwest flies Midway to LaGuardia nonstop; it does not fly the O'Hare to LaGuardia nonstop.
• New York JFK suits travelers heading to Brooklyn or eastern Queens, or connecting to an international flight. See flights from JFK.
• Newark (EWR) in New Jersey can be faster for Midtown West, Lower Manhattan via PATH, or anywhere in New Jersey. See flights from Newark.

LaGuardia is usually the closest of the three to Midtown and the Upper East Side, which is why most business travelers pick it.

Terminals at O'Hare and LaGuardia

At O'Hare, United is based in Terminal 1 and American in Terminal 3, and both also use Terminal 2 for some flights. Delta moved to Terminal 5 at O'Hare in October 2022; check your boarding pass, since gate areas can change. Our O'Hare airport guide covers security, the Airport Transit System train between terminals, and the Blue Line.

At LaGuardia, the terminal split is simple: Delta uses Terminal C, while American, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier and Air Canada use Terminal B. Terminal A no longer handles airline passengers. Terminals B and C are separate buildings, linked by a shuttle bus.

ID at security: REAL ID

This is a domestic flight, so there is no passport control or customs at either end. You do need an acceptable ID at TSA. REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025: a standard driver's license without the REAL ID star is no longer enough on its own. A REAL ID-compliant license, a US passport or passport card, or another ID on TSA's acceptable list all work. Travelers who arrive with no acceptable ID can go through TSA ConfirmID, an identity check that carries a fee and takes extra time; check the current fee on tsa.gov. Our REAL ID guide lists what to bring.

Basic economy and carry-on rules

The cheapest fare on each airline is not the same product, and the difference is mostly about bags and seats:

• United Basic Economy on most domestic routes includes only a personal item that fits under the seat, not a full-size carry-on. A roller bag brought to the gate is checked and charged, so pick a standard economy fare if you travel with one.
• American and Delta basic economy fares include a full-size carry-on and a personal item, but seat choice, changes and boarding order are restricted.
• Southwest now sells tiered fares and, since January 27, 2026, assigns seats instead of open seating. Every fare still includes a carry-on, but checked bags are no longer free on most fares.

Checked bags cost extra on basic and standard economy on most US domestic fares unless you hold airline status or a co-branded credit card. Our explainers on basic economy, airline baggage rules and the TSA liquids rule cover the details.

Getting from LaGuardia into the city

LaGuardia has no rail link, so every option starts on the road:

• Q70 LaGuardia Link bus runs to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue subway hub and the Woodside Long Island Rail Road station, where you change for Manhattan.
• M60 Select Bus Service runs across 125th Street in Harlem, handy for the Upper West Side and upper Manhattan subway lines.
• Taxis and rideshare pick up outside each terminal. Midtown is usually 30 to 60 minutes away depending on traffic on the Grand Central Parkway and the bridges.

Best time to fly Chicago to New York

This route is driven by business demand. Monday morning and Thursday and Friday evening flights fill first, and midday Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday flights are usually the quietest. Fall and late spring are pleasant in New York; December brings holiday crowds, and the weeks around Thanksgiving and Christmas are the busiest of the year.

Winter weather is the main risk. Snow in Chicago and nor'easters on the East Coast can both ground flights, and LaGuardia's runways have little slack, so delays build quickly. An early-morning departure gives you the most rebooking options if something goes wrong; see our guide on delayed or cancelled flights. Summer afternoons bring thunderstorms that cause ground stops in New York.

Flying home: LaGuardia to O'Hare

The westbound flight takes a little longer, about 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, because of headwinds, and you gain an hour back on the clock. Allow extra time to reach LaGuardia at evening rush hour, and give yourself at least 90 minutes at the airport on busy Friday afternoons. TSA PreCheck lanes are open at both LGA terminals; our Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck comparison explains which one you need.

Tips for this route

• Pick the Chicago airport by where you live, not by habit: Midway can save an hour of driving from the South Side.
• Check that your return lands at the same New York airport you flew into if you parked a car or booked a transfer.
• Use the live fare grid on this page to compare days and airlines; there are many daily options, so small shifts in time often change the price.