San Diego to Chicago (SAN–ORD) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
SAN–ORD is served by 8 airlines with nonstop service. American Airlines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 1,720 miles in approximately 3h 19m. Beyond nonstop, 88 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA American Airlines | 51 | 738 | 4h04-4h35 | Oneworld | – | |
| UA United Airlines | 36 | 32Q, 738, A21N | 3h19-4h25 | Star Alliance | – | |
| AS Alaska Airlines | 23 | 739, 73H, 7M9 | 4h21-4h25 | Oneworld | – | |
| AC Air Canada | 14 | 32Q, B39M | 3h59-4h15 | Star Alliance | – | |
| BA British Airways | 14 | 738 | 4h19 | Oneworld | – | |
| CX Cathay Pacific | 7 | B38M | 4h19 | Oneworld | – | |
| EI Aer Lingus | 7 | 738 | 4h19 | – | – | |
| SY Sun Country Airlines | 0 | – | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Chicago from San Diego
| Metric | SAN→ORD | SNA→ORD | PSP→ORD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from SAN | – | 76 mi | 85 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 8 | 8 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 152 | 110 | 57 |
| Flight time | 3h 19m | 4h 1m | 3h 54m |
| Departure OTP | 91% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
SAN: PDT · ORD: CDT
When it's 6:00 PM in San Diego, it's 8:00 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.
SAN–ORD Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SAN to ORD
San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) are connected by nonstop service from American Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Aer Lingus, Sun Country Airlines and United Airlines. With 152 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
SAN to ORD Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SAN to ORD ranges from 3 hours 19 minutes to 4 hours 35 minutes. The route covers a distance of 1,720 miles (2,768 km). There are approximately 152 weekly flights outbound and 176 return, totaling 328 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
88 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 4 hours via UDD. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Santa Ana (SNA), Palm Springs (PSP) and Ontario (ONT).