Memphis to Chicago (MEM–ORD) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
MEM–ORD is served by 8 airlines with nonstop service. United Airlines, American Airlines and Air Canada lead the route. The flight covers 492 miles in approximately 1h 49m. Beyond nonstop, 76 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines | 48 | 319, CR5, E7W | 1h53-2h03 | Star Alliance | – | |
| AA American Airlines | 44 | E70, E75, E75S | 2h01-2h10 | Oneworld | – | |
| AC Air Canada | 28 | 737, CR5, E7W | 1h55-2h01 | Star Alliance | – | |
| AS Alaska Airlines | 20 | E70, E75 | 2h01-2h10 | Oneworld | – | |
| GF Gulf Air | 8 | E70 | 2h03-2h05 | – | – | |
| BA British Airways | 7 | E75 | 2h04 | Oneworld | – | |
| QR Qatar Airways | 7 | E75 | 2h02 | Oneworld | – | |
| G7 GoJet Airlines LLC d/b/a United Express | 1 | – | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Chicago from Memphis
| Metric | MEM→ORD | MKL→ORD | TUP→ORD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from MEM | – | 71 mi | 87 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 8 | 1 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 163 | 6 | 2 |
| Flight time | 1h 49m | 1h 30m | 1h 23m |
| Departure OTP | 59% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
MEM: CDT · ORD: CDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Memphis, it's 6:00 PM in Chicago.
CTA Blue Line runs 24/7 from O'Hare to downtown Chicago (45 min, $5). Taxis use a flat-rate zone system; downtown is around $40–45 plus tip. Ride-shares are typically $30–50.The Airport Transit System (ATS) connects all terminals and parking. Metra commuter rail does not serve O'Hare directly; transfer downtown via Blue Line.
Continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid (25–32°C) with afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are cold (−10 to −2°C) with heavy snowfall that regularly delays flights December through March.
Spring and fall are mild but unpredictable. Pack layers. Lake Michigan moderates temperatures near the lakefront, but O'Hare sits inland and runs colder.
MEM–ORD Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Memphis to Chicago O'Hare: Post-Hub Spoke Service
MEM-ORD connects the Memphis metro to Chicago via hub carriers at O'Hare. American Airlines and United Airlines each operate 2 to 3 daily nonstops on E175 regional jets. The 491-mile sector runs 1 hour 40 to 50 minutes. Memphis lost its Delta hub status after the Delta-Northwest merger, which dramatically reduced the city's nonstop map. Today, American's connection through ORD (and DFW) and United's ORD hub provide Memphis travelers access to broader networks. FedEx's global superhub at MEM makes it one of the world's busiest cargo airports, but that operation runs independently from passenger services.
Chicago Access from Memphis
Southwest offers an alternative with MEM-MDW (Midway) service at 1 to 2 daily nonstops. Midway sits closer to downtown Chicago and handles less congestion than O'Hare. For point-to-point travel, MDW is a strong option. For connections to United's 200-plus destination network or American's domestic and international flights, ORD is necessary. Memphis International has a single main terminal that is overbuilt for current passenger volumes, a legacy of the Northwest hub era. This means short lines and plenty of space. Concourse B handles most departures. Parking is inexpensive at $8 to $10 per day in economy lots. Ground transport to downtown Memphis takes 15 to 20 minutes via Interstate 240.