San Diego to Chicago (SAN–ORD) — 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.
SAN–ORD is served by 4 airlines with nonstop service. American Airlines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 1,720 miles in approximately 4h 26m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA American Airlines Also: AY, BA, CX, EI, GF, IB, QR, RJ | 64 | 321, 738, 7M8 | 3h57-4h48 | Oneworld | AY, BA, CX, EI, GF, IB, QR, RJ | |
| UA United Airlines Also: AC, AZ, LH, LX, OS, SN | 49 | 32Q, 739, 7M9, A21N | 3h59-4h29 | Star Alliance | AC, AZ, LH, LX, OS, SN | |
| AS Alaska Airlines Also: AY, HA, QR | 21 | 738, 7M9, B39M | 4h08-4h26 | Oneworld | AY, HA, QR | |
| 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 | 4 | 13 | 5 |
| Weekly flights | 383 | 179 | – |
| Flight time | 4h 26m | 4h 14m | 3h 30m |
| Departure OTP | 70% | – | – |
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, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Sun Country Airlines. With 383 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
SAN to ORD Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SAN to ORD is about 4 hours 26 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 1,720 miles (2,768 km). There are approximately 383 weekly flights outbound and 361 return, totaling 744 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Denver, Albuquerque International Sunport and Kansas City. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Santa Ana (SNA), Palm Springs (PSP) and Long Beach (LGB).