Chicago to New Orleans (ORD–MSY) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
ORD–MSY is served by 6 airlines with nonstop service. United Airlines, American Airlines and Spirit Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 838 miles in approximately 2h 33m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines Also: AC, CM, NZ, SN | 46 | 739, B39M, E75L, E7W | 2h30-2h44 | Star Alliance | AC, CM, NZ, SN | |
| AA American Airlines Also: AS, AY, BA, CX, GF, QF, QR, RJ | 27 | 319, E75, E75S | 2h23-2h39 | Oneworld | AS, AY, BA, CX, GF, QF, QR, RJ | |
| NK Spirit Airlines | 5 | 320 | 2h13-2h24 | – | – | |
| OO SkyWest Airlines | 1 | – | – | – | – | |
| F9 Frontier | 0 | – | – | – | – | |
| MX Mexicana | 0 | – | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach New Orleans from Chicago
| Metric | ORD→MSY | MDW→MSY | MKE→MSY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from ORD | – | 15 mi | 67 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Weekly flights | 230 | 23 | 1 |
| Flight time | 2h 33m | 2h 15m | 3h 4m |
| Departure OTP | 67% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
ORD: CDT · MSY: CDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Chicago, it's 6:00 PM in New Orleans.
CTA Blue Line runs 24/7 from downtown Loop stations to O'Hare (45 min, $5). Pace buses serve suburbs. Ride-shares cost $35–55 from downtown depending on traffic; add 30+ minutes during rush hour on the Kennedy Expressway.Economy parking lots E/F connect via ATS people mover. Terminal 5 (international) is separate from Terminals 1–3; allow extra time for inter-terminal transfers.
ORD–MSY Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago O'Hare to New Orleans: Midwest Meets Gulf South
ORD-MSY connects the Midwest's largest hub to Louisiana's primary commercial airport. United, American, and Spirit combine for 6 to 9 daily nonstops from O'Hare. Southwest adds 3 to 5 more from Midway, giving the Chicago-New Orleans market over 10 daily options across airports. Block time is about 2 hours 30 minutes southbound. The route carries a heavy leisure component. New Orleans is one of the top US tourism destinations, and Chicago is one of its largest feeder markets. Business travel adds a steady base, with energy, port logistics, and hospitality sectors linking the two cities.
Seasonal Demand and the New Terminal
Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest create the two biggest demand spikes on this route. During Carnival season, fares from Chicago to New Orleans can double. Airlines respond with larger aircraft and added frequencies. The new MSY North terminal, opened in 2019, replaced the aging facility and consolidated all airlines into one building with modern concessions and a simplified layout. Ground transport into the city is straightforward: flat-rate taxis to the French Quarter are $36, and the RTA bus connects to the streetcar network for $2. New Orleans does not have a rail link to the airport as of early 2026, though plans exist for a future connection.