Chicago to San Diego (ORD–SAN) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

ORD Airport Page →
1,720 mi airlines 190/wk
On-time Some delays Frequent delays
Flight Schedule 60 flights Verified 1h ago
Nonstop 1-Stop 2-Stop Hide separate tickets Hide overnight
  Flight Airline AC Dep Arr Dur OTP Sched  
UA2428
UA United
32Q
6:59 AM
CDT T1
8:40 AM
PDT
3h 41m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AC5021
AC Air Canada
A21N
7:05 AM
CDT T1
9:47 AM
PDT
4h 42m
M T W T F S S
Prices
HA7470
HA Hawaiian
73H
8:20 AM
CDT T3
11:02 AM
PDT
4h 42m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA660
UA United
32Q
8:47 AM
CDT T1
11:38 AM
PDT
4h 51m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AS1470
AS Alaska
7M9
9:13 AM
CDT T3
11:06 AM
PDT
3h 53m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2918
AA American
738
9:40 AM
CDT T3
12:13 PM
PDT
4h 33m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2131
AA American
738
9:59 AM
CDT T3
11:44 AM
PDT
3h 45m
M T W T F S S
Prices
BA1743
BA British
738
10:05 AM
CDT T3
12:41 PM
PDT
4h 36m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2733
AA American
738
11:45 AM
CDT T3
2:18 PM
PDT
4h 33m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2177
AA American
738
11:47 AM
CDT T3
2:23 PM
PDT
4h 36m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2784
AA American
738
11:47 AM
CDT T3
2:23 PM
PDT
4h 36m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA2384
UA United
739
12:57 PM
CDT T1
3:33 PM
PDT
4h 36m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA2683
UA United
32Q
2:39 PM
CDT T1
4:51 PM
PDT
4h 12m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AS1447
AS Alaska
B38M
3:07 PM
CDT T3
5:52 PM
PDT
4h 45m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA745
UA United
B39M
4:32 PM
CDT T1
6:28 PM
PDT
3h 56m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA1543
AA American
738
5:47 PM
CDT T3
7:38 PM
PDT
3h 51m
M T W T F S S
Prices
CX7520
CX Cathay Pacific
738
5:49 PM
CDT T3
8:20 PM
PDT
4h 31m
M T W T F S S
Prices
EI7278
EI Aer Lingus
738
5:49 PM
CDT T3
8:20 PM
PDT
4h 31m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2718
AA American
738
6:06 PM
CDT T3
8:43 PM
PDT
4h 37m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA1621
AA American
738
7:10 PM
CDT T3
9:44 PM
PDT
4h 34m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA249
UA United
A21N
7:55 PM
CDT T1
10:40 PM
PDT
4h 45m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AC4356
AC Air Canada
A21N
7:59 PM
CDT T1
10:44 PM
PDT
4h 45m
M T W T F S S
Prices
BA1851
BA British
738
8:00 PM
CDT T3
10:34 PM
PDT
4h 34m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA884
AA American
738
8:04 PM
CDT T3
10:19 PM
PDT
4h 15m
M T W T F S S
Prices
EI7554
EI Aer Lingus
738
8:06 PM
CDT T3
10:40 PM
PDT
4h 34m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AY4028
AY Finnair
738
8:06 PM
CDT T3
10:40 PM
PDT
4h 34m
M T W T F S S
Prices
IB4741
IB Iberia
738
8:06 PM
CDT T3
10:40 PM
PDT
4h 34m
M T W T F S S
Prices
GF6569
GF Gulf
738
8:06 PM
CDT T3
10:40 PM
PDT
4h 34m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2285
AA American
738
9:00 PM
CDT T3
11:33 PM
PDT
4h 33m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AY4053
AY Finnair
738
9:00 PM
CDT T3
11:33 PM
PDT
4h 33m
M T W T F S S
Prices
CX7593
CX Cathay Pacific
B38M
6:20 AM
PDT T2
12:39 PM
CDT
4h 19m
M T W T F S S
Prices
IB4081
IB Iberia
738
6:20 AM
PDT T2
12:39 PM
CDT
4h 19m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA1494
AA American
738
6:20 AM
PDT T2
12:39 PM
CDT
4h 19m
M T W T F S S
Prices
EI7161
EI Aer Lingus
738
6:20 AM
PDT T2
12:39 PM
CDT
4h 19m
M T W T F S S
Prices
BA5552
BA British
738
6:20 AM
PDT T2
12:39 PM
CDT
4h 19m
M T W T F S S
Prices
BA5553
BA British
738
6:20 AM
PDT T2
12:39 PM
CDT
4h 19m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AC4547
AC Air Canada
32Q
7:00 AM
PDT T2
1:15 PM
CDT
4h 15m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA2343
UA United
32Q
7:00 AM
PDT T2
1:15 PM
CDT
4h 15m
M T W T F S S
Prices
HA7072
HA Hawaiian
73H
7:55 AM
PDT T2
2:21 PM
CDT
4h 26m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AS1495
AS Alaska
7M9
10:37 AM
PDT T2
4:56 PM
CDT
4h 19m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA1710
UA United
A21N
11:04 AM
PDT T2
5:29 PM
CDT
4h 25m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AS1459
AS Alaska
7M9
12:15 PM
PDT T2
6:40 PM
CDT
4h 25m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AS1452
AS Alaska
73H
12:37 PM
PDT T2
7:02 PM
CDT
4h 25m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AS1478
AS Alaska
73H
12:37 PM
PDT T2
7:02 PM
CDT
4h 25m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2918
AA American
738
1:03 PM
PDT T2
7:32 PM
CDT
4h 29m
M T W T F S S
Prices
IB4020
IB Iberia
738
1:03 PM
PDT T2
7:32 PM
CDT
4h 29m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2131
AA American
738
1:31 PM
PDT T2
7:49 PM
CDT
4h 18m
M T W T F S S
Prices
IB4199
IB Iberia
738
1:34 PM
PDT T2
7:51 PM
CDT
4h 17m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA1779
UA United
32Q
2:11 PM
PDT T2
8:20 PM
CDT
4h 9m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA8119
UA United
2:21 PM
PDT
7:40 PM
CDT
3h 19m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2733
AA American
738
3:09 PM
PDT T2
9:32 PM
CDT
4h 23m
M T W T F S S
Prices
IB4733
IB Iberia
738
3:09 PM
PDT T2
9:32 PM
CDT
4h 23m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2784
AA American
738
3:19 PM
PDT T2
9:36 PM
CDT
4h 17m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2177
AA American
738
3:19 PM
PDT T2
9:36 PM
CDT
4h 17m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AC3807
AC Air Canada
B39M
5:00 PM
PDT T2
10:59 PM
CDT
3h 59m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AS1493
AS Alaska
739
5:37 PM
PDT T2
11:41 PM
CDT
4h 4m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA2486
UA United
32Q
5:40 PM
PDT T2
11:48 PM
CDT
4h 8m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA1457
UA United
738
10:30 PM
PDT T2
4:29 AM+1
CDT
3h 59m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA909
AA American
738
10:35 PM
PDT T2
4:39 AM+1
CDT
4h 4m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2366
AA American
738
10:40 PM
PDT T2
4:45 AM+1
CDT
4h 5m
M T W T F S S
Prices

No flights match your filters.

No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.

1-STOP
2-STOP Loading...
Chicago to San Diego
11 carriers, 190 flights/week nonstop.
11 Airlines 190 Flights/wk 1,720 mi 3h 41m nonstop -2h behind 87 1-stop hubs

ORD–SAN is served by 11 airlines with nonstop service. American Airlines, United Airlines and Air Canada lead the route. The flight covers 1,720 miles in approximately 3h 41m. Beyond nonstop, 87 hubs offer 1-stop connections.

Airline Landscape

All carriers operating nonstop ORD–SAN service, compared side by side.
Airline Freq/wk Aircraft Duration Dep OTP Alliance Codeshares
AA American Airlines 58 738 3h45-4h37 28% Oneworld
UA United Airlines 40 32Q, 739, A21N, B39M 3h41-4h51 28% Star Alliance
AC Air Canada 14 A21N 4h42-4h45 28% Star Alliance
AS Alaska Airlines 14 7M9, B38M 3h53-4h45 28% Oneworld
BA British Airways 14 738 4h34-4h36 28% Oneworld
EI Aer Lingus 14 738 4h31-4h34 28%
AY Finnair 8 738 4h33-4h34 28% Oneworld
CX Cathay Pacific 7 738 4h31 28% Oneworld
GF Gulf Air 7 738 4h34 28%
HA Hawaiian Airlines 7 73H 4h42 28%
IB Iberia 7 738 4h34 28% Oneworld
Aircraft on this route
32Q Airbus A321neo – UA
738 Boeing 737-800 – AA, AY, BA, CX, EI, GF, IB
739 Boeing 737-900 – UA
73H Boeing 737-800 – HA
7M9 Boeing 737 MAX 9 – AS
A21NAC, UA
B38MAS
B39MUA
Alliance coverage
Oneworld: AA + AS + AY + BA + CX + IB (108 flights/wk, 57%)
Star Alliance: AC + UA (54 flights/wk, 28%)
Unaffiliated: EI + GF + HA (28 flights/wk, 15%)
OTP based on airport-level delay snapshots. Duration ranges reflect seasonal/directional variation.

Weekly Schedule Pattern

Nonstop flight frequency by day of week, ORD to SAN direction.
Mon
29
flights
Tue
25
flights
Wed
27
flights
Thu
28
flights
Fri
26
flights
Sat
27
flights
Sun
28
flights
Departure time distribution
12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM12 AM
Morning departures
Afternoon/evening departures
30
Nonstop flights
190
Outbound / wk
187
Return / wk

Connection Landscape

Beyond nonstop. 1-stop and 2-stop options for ORD to SAN.
1-STOP
One-Stop Connections
87
Hubs
~5h
Fastest
~39h
Longest
Verified with published schedule alignment and minimum connection time.
2-STOP
Two-Stop Connections
4,517
Candidates
Two-stop connections loaded in the connections tab above.
Connections computed from published schedules with minimum connection time verification. Use the interactive explorer above the fold to filter by airline, tier, and layover time.

On-Time Performance

What to expect at each end of your journey.
Outbound
ORD → SAN
28%
Frequent delays expected. Consider flexible booking.
Departing
28%
Arriving
100%
Return
SAN → ORD
100%
Generally reliable. Most flights run on time.
Departing
100%
Arriving
100%
OTP = percentage of flights arriving within 15 min of schedule. Based on airport-level delay snapshots. ORD delays → SAN delays →

Other ways to reach San Diego from Chicago

Nearby airports with service to San Diego International Airport.
Metric ORD→SAN MDW→SAN MKE→SAN
Distance from ORD 15 mi 67 mi
Nonstop airlines 11 3 1
Weekly flights 190 48 9
Flight time 3h 41m 3h 36m 3h 57m
Departure OTP 28%
Airports within 200 miles of ORD with service to San Diego International Airport.

Travel Essentials

Practical planning for this route.
Time Difference
-2h
San Diego is 2 hours behind Chicago.
ORD: CDT · SAN: PDT

When it's 6:00 PM in Chicago, it's 4:00 PM in San Diego.
Distance & Flight Time
1,720 mi / 2,768 km
Nonstop flight time is approximately 3h 41m to 4h 51m.
Getting to ORD

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–SAN Quick Facts

Key statistics for the Chicago to San Diego route.
Route details
Distance1,720 mi / 2,768 km
Flight time3h 41m to 4h 51m
Time difference-2 hours
Airlines (nonstop)11
Weekly flights190 out / 187 return
1-stop connections87 hubs
Origin: ORD
IATA / ICAOORD / KORD
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
Passengers/yr80.0M
Elevation680 ft / 207 m
Destination: SAN
IATA / ICAOSAN / KSAN
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
Passengers/yr25.6M
Elevation17 ft / 5 m

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ORD to SAN flights.
Nonstop flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport take approximately 3h 41m to 4h 51m. The route covers 1,720 miles.
There are approximately 190 nonstop flights per week from ORD to SAN. The return direction has about 187 weekly flights.
Yes, 1-stop connections are available through ICT, SCF, VNY, PSP, SLN, SDF, SBA, SNA, DAY, BFI, GJT, MKC, GSP, STS, HDN, FCA, BHM, SUN, SUA, HOU, TEB, AVP, RDU, PBI, SJD, PVR, COS, ELP, EGE, MDW, MSY, SAT, AUS, LAS, DEN, LAX, MSP, RNO, SLC, DFW, SJC, PHX, GEG, IAH, DUB, ATL, JFK, OMA, MCI, SFO, SMF, BZN, BWI, SEA, BNA, STL, PDX, DAL, DTW, CMH, CLT, YYZ, MIA, BOI, ABQ, IAD, OGG, PHL, TUS, EWR, IND, MKE, MUC, LHR, MCO, BOS, NRT, JAC, DCA, TPA, FLL, YVR, YYC, HNL, PTY, KOA and AMS. These options provide additional schedule flexibility.
San Diego is 2 hours behind Chicago.
Yes, return flights from SAN to ORD are available. Use the direction toggle at the top to view the return schedule.
Nearby alternatives include MDW and MKE. See the Alternatives section for a full comparison.
Click the 'Search Flights' button to check availability and prices on Google Flights. You can also compare airlines and schedules on this page to find the best option.
See the On-Time Performance section for the latest delay data at both airports. This shows departure and arrival reliability to help you plan.
Route data is updated regularly from official airline schedules. On-time performance data comes from recent airport delay snapshots.

Flights from ORD to SAN

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and San Diego International Airport (SAN) are connected by nonstop service from American Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Finnair, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Aer Lingus, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia and United Airlines. With 190 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.

ORD to SAN Flight Duration and Schedule

Nonstop flight time from ORD to SAN ranges from 3 hours 41 minutes to 4 hours 51 minutes. The route covers a distance of 1,720 miles (2,768 km). There are approximately 190 weekly flights outbound and 187 return, totaling 377 flights per week in both directions.

Connecting Options and Alternatives

87 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 5 hours via ICT. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Chicago (MDW) and Milwaukee (MKE).