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

SAN Airport Page →
1,720 mi airlines 270/wk
On-time Some delays Frequent delays
Flight Schedule 88 flights Verified 1h ago
Nonstop 1-Stop 2-Stop Hide separate tickets Hide overnight Hide codeshares
  Flight Airline AC Dep Arr Dur OTP Sched  
✈ Nonstop
AA518+4
AA American
738
6:15 AM
PDT T2
12:33 PM
CDT
4h 18m
M T W T F S S
Prices
CX7593cs
CX Cathay Pacific
738
6:15 AM
PDT T2
12:33 PM
CDT
4h 18m
M T W T F S S
Prices
BA5552cs
BA British
738
6:15 AM
PDT T2
12:33 PM
CDT
4h 18m
M T W T F S S
Prices
EI7161cs
EI Aer Lingus
738
6:15 AM
PDT T2
12:33 PM
CDT
4h 18m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA2343+4
UA United
32Q
6:16 AM
PDT T2
11:58 AM
CDT
3h 42m
M T W T F S S
Prices
OS7710cs
OS Austrian
32Q
6:20 AM
PDT T2
12:34 PM
CDT
4h 14m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AC4547cs
AC Air Canada
32Q
6:20 AM
PDT T2
12:34 PM
CDT
4h 14m
M T W T F S S
Prices
BA5553+1
BA British
738
6:20 AM
PDT T2
12:39 PM
CDT
4h 19m
M T W T F S S
Prices
LX3261cs
LX Swiss
32Q
6:20 AM
PDT T2
12:34 PM
CDT
4h 14m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA1069
UA United
32Q
6:40 AM
PDT T2
1:09 PM
CDT
4h 29m
M T W T F S S
Prices
LH7895cs
LH Lufthansa
32Q
7:00 AM
PDT T2
1:15 PM
CDT
4h 15m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA1261
AA American
738
7:28 AM
PDT T2
1:51 PM
CDT
4h 23m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AS1446
AS Alaska
B39M
7:33 AM
PDT T2
1:04 PM
CDT
3h 31m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AS1495+2
AS Alaska
B39M
7:55 AM
PDT T2
2:21 PM
CDT
4h 26m
M T W T F S S
Prices
QR3316cs
QR Qatar
7M9
7:55 AM
PDT T2
2:21 PM
CDT
4h 26m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2484
AA American
738
9:57 AM
PDT T2
4:23 PM
CDT
4h 26m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA1710+4
UA United
752
10:46 AM
PDT T2
4:56 PM
CDT
4h 10m
M T W T F S S
Prices
SN8874cs
SN Lynx Air
A21N
10:52 AM
PDT T2
5:04 PM
CDT
4h 12m
M T W T F S S
Prices
LX3263cs
LX Swiss
A21N
11:03 AM
PDT T2
5:05 PM
CDT
4h 2m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AY2554cs
AY Finnair
73H
12:53 PM
PDT T2
7:03 PM
CDT
4h 10m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2918+4
AA American
738
1:03 PM
PDT T2
7:32 PM
CDT
4h 29m
M T W T F S S
Prices
EI7461cs
EI Aer Lingus
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
AY4064cs
AY Finnair
738
1:03 PM
PDT T2
7:32 PM
CDT
4h 29m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA795
AA American
738
1:18 PM
PDT T2
7:47 PM
CDT
4h 29m
M T W T F S S
Prices
BA4449
BA British
321
1:19 PM
PDT T2
7:54 PM
CDT
4h 35m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AY4044
AY Finnair
321
1:19 PM
PDT T2
7:54 PM
CDT
4h 35m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2480
AA American
321
1:19 PM
PDT T2
7:54 PM
CDT
4h 35m
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+2
UA United
32Q
2:14 PM
PDT T2
8:26 PM
CDT
4h 12m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AS1478+1
AS Alaska
73H
2:19 PM
PDT T2
7:58 PM
CDT
3h 39m
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
AA2733+1
AA American
738
4:11 PM
PDT T2
10:06 PM
CDT
3h 55m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA2486+1
UA United
739
4:41 PM
PDT T2
10:59 PM
CDT
4h 18m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AC3807cs
AC Air Canada
739
4:41 PM
PDT T2
10:59 PM
CDT
4h 18m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AS1493+1
AS Alaska
73H
5:44 PM
PDT T2
11:55 PM
CDT
4h 11m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA1457
UA United
7M9
10:30 PM
PDT T2
4:35 AM+1
CDT
4h 5m
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
AA1543+7
AA American
321
10:45 PM
PDT T2
5:18 AM+1
CDT
4h 33m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2484
AA American
738
6:45 AM
CDT T3
9:04 AM
PDT
4h 19m
M T W T F S S
Prices
BA2483
BA British
738
6:45 AM
CDT T3
9:04 AM
PDT
4h 19m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AC5021cs
AC Air Canada
32Q
7:00 AM
CDT T1
9:40 AM
PDT
4h 40m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA2428+1
UA United
752
7:05 AM
CDT T1
9:42 AM
PDT
4h 37m
M T W T F S S
Prices
QR2999cs
QR Qatar
739
8:20 AM
CDT T3
11:02 AM
PDT
4h 42m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA660+1
UA United
A21N
8:46 AM
CDT T2
11:25 AM
PDT
4h 39m
M T W T F S S
Prices
QR3392
QR Qatar
73J
9:00 AM
CDT T2
11:37 AM
PDT
4h 37m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AS1470+2
AS Alaska
73H
9:36 AM
CDT T3
12:02 PM
PDT
4h 26m
M T W T F S S
Prices
BA4650cs
BA British
738
9:40 AM
CDT T3
12:13 PM
PDT
4h 33m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2918+4
AA American
738
9:40 AM
CDT T3
12:13 PM
PDT
4h 33m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA3284
AA American
738
9:55 AM
CDT T3
12:28 PM
PDT
4h 33m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA1313
AA American
738
9:55 AM
CDT T3
12:28 PM
PDT
4h 33m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2482
AA American
321
10:02 AM
CDT T3
12:26 PM
PDT
4h 24m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2733+1
AA American
738
11:45 AM
CDT T3
2:18 PM
PDT
4h 33m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA2683+1
UA United
739
12:57 PM
CDT T1
3:33 PM
PDT
4h 36m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA2384
UA United
739
3:13 PM
CDT T1
5:45 PM
PDT
4h 32m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AS1447+1
AS Alaska
73J
3:52 PM
CDT T3
6:31 PM
PDT
4h 39m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA899
AA American
738
4:00 PM
CDT T3
6:26 PM
PDT
4h 26m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA745+4
UA United
738
4:05 PM
CDT T3
6:41 PM
PDT
4h 36m
M T W T F S S
Prices
LX3260cs
LX Swiss
739
4:15 PM
CDT T1
6:51 PM
PDT
4h 36m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AC4344cs
AC Air Canada
32Q
4:15 PM
CDT T1
6:53 PM
PDT
4h 38m
M T W T F S S
Prices
SN8873cs
SN Lynx Air
32Q
4:15 PM
CDT T1
6:53 PM
PDT
4h 38m
M T W T F S S
Prices
OS7709cs
OS Austrian
739
4:15 PM
CDT T2
6:51 PM
PDT
4h 36m
M T W T F S S
Prices
CX7520cs
CX Cathay Pacific
738
6:06 PM
CDT T3
8:43 PM
PDT
4h 37m
M T W T F S S
Prices
EI7278cs
EI Aer Lingus
738
6:06 PM
CDT T3
8:43 PM
PDT
4h 37m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2718+3
AA American
738
6:06 PM
CDT T3
8:43 PM
PDT
4h 37m
M T W T F S S
Prices
EI7500
EI Aer Lingus
737
6:59 PM
CDT T3
9:29 PM
PDT
4h 30m
M T W T F S S
Prices
BA1743+1
BA British
7M8
6:59 PM
CDT T3
9:29 PM
PDT
4h 30m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA1924
AA American
7M8
6:59 PM
CDT T3
9:29 PM
PDT
4h 30m
M T W T F S S
Prices
BA2471
BA British
7M8
6:59 PM
CDT T3
9:29 PM
PDT
4h 30m
M T W T F S S
Prices
LX3262cs
LX Swiss
32Q
7:55 PM
CDT T1
10:40 PM
PDT
4h 45m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AY2553cs
AY Finnair
73H
7:59 PM
CDT T3
10:42 PM
PDT
4h 43m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AC4356+1
AC Air Canada
A21N
7:59 PM
CDT T1
10:44 PM
PDT
4h 45m
M T W T F S S
Prices
QR2167cs
QR Qatar
7M8
7:59 PM
CDT T2
10:41 PM
PDT
4h 42m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA1156
UA United
32Q
8:00 PM
CDT T1
10:39 PM
PDT
4h 39m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AS1466+2
AS Alaska
73J
8:06 PM
CDT T3
10:54 PM
PDT
4h 48m
M T W T F S S
Prices
RJ7297+2
RJ Royal Jordanian
738
8:06 PM
CDT T3
10:40 PM
PDT
4h 34m
M T W T F S S
Prices
GF6569cs
GF Great Barrier Airlines
738
8:06 PM
CDT T3
10:40 PM
PDT
4h 34m
M T W T F S S
Prices
EI7554+1
EI Aer Lingus
738
8:06 PM
CDT T3
10:40 PM
PDT
4h 34m
M T W T F S S
Prices
IB4741+1
IB Iberia
738
8:06 PM
CDT T3
10:40 PM
PDT
4h 34m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA1182
UA United
32Q
8:15 PM
CDT T1
10:44 PM
PDT
4h 29m
M T W T F S S
Prices
UA249+1
UA United
32Q
8:35 PM
CDT T1
11:00 PM
PDT
4h 25m
M T W T F S S
Prices
EI7449cs
EI Aer Lingus
738
9:00 PM
CDT T3
11:33 PM
PDT
4h 33m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AY4134cs
AY Finnair
738
9:00 PM
CDT T3
11:33 PM
PDT
4h 33m
M T W T F S S
Prices
GF4130
GF Great Barrier Airlines
321
9:12 PM
CDT T3
11:34 PM
PDT
4h 22m
M T W T F S S
Prices
GF4133
GF Great Barrier Airlines
321
9:12 PM
CDT T3
11:34 PM
PDT
4h 22m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2457
AA American
321
9:17 PM
CDT T3
11:39 PM
PDT
4h 22m
M T W T F S S
Prices
QR7828
QR Qatar
321
9:17 PM
CDT T3
11:39 PM
PDT
4h 22m
M T W T F S S
Prices
AA2285+4
AA American
738
10:00 PM
CDT T3
12:26 AM+1
PDT
4h 26m
M T W T F S S
Prices

No flights match your filters.

No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.

1-STOP More options, longer trips
2-STOP Loading... Reach the hardest destinations
San Diego to Chicago
4 carriers, 270 flights/week nonstop.
4 Airlines 270 Flights/wk 1,720 mi 3h 31m nonstop +2h ahead 123 1-stop hubs

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 3h 31m. Beyond nonstop, 123 hubs offer 1-stop connections.

Airline Landscape

All carriers operating nonstop SAN–ORD service, compared side by side.
Airline Freq/wk Aircraft Duration Dep OTP Alliance Codeshares
AA American Airlines Also: AY, BA, CX, EI, IB, QR, RJ 63 321, 738 3h55-4h35 64% Oneworld AY, BA, CX, EI, IB, QR, RJ
UA United Airlines Also: AC, LH, LX, OS, SN 42 32Q, 739, 752, 7M9 3h42-4h29 64% Star Alliance AC, LH, LX, OS, SN
AS Alaska Airlines Also: AY, HA, QR 27 73H, B39M 3h31-4h26 64% Oneworld AY, HA, QR
SY Sun Country Airlines 0 64%
Aircraft on this route
321 Airbus A321 – AA, AY, BA
32Q Airbus A321neo – AC, LH, LX, OS, UA
738 Boeing 737-800 – AA, AY, BA, CX, EI, IB
739 Boeing 737-900 – AC, UA
73H Boeing 737-800 (Winglets) – AS, AY
752 Boeing 757-200 – UA
7M9 Boeing 737 MAX 9 – QR, UA
A21N Airbus A321neo – LX, SN
B39M Boeing 737 MAX 9 – AS
Alliance coverage
Oneworld: AA + AS (90 flights/wk, 68%)
Star Alliance: UA (42 flights/wk, 32%)
Unaffiliated: SY (0 flights/wk, 0%)
OTP based on airport-level delay snapshots. Duration ranges reflect seasonal/directional variation.

Weekly Schedule Pattern

Nonstop flight frequency by day of week, SAN to ORD direction.
Mon
39
flights
Tue
39
flights
Wed
38
flights
Thu
39
flights
Fri
39
flights
Sat
37
flights
Sun
39
flights
Departure time distribution
12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM12 AM
Morning departures
Afternoon/evening departures
39
Nonstop flights
270
Outbound / wk
323
Return / wk

Connection Landscape

Beyond nonstop. 1-stop and 2-stop options for SAN to ORD.
1-STOP
One-Stop Connections
123
Hubs
~4h
Fastest
~43h
Longest
Verified with published schedule alignment and minimum connection time.
2-STOP
Two-Stop Connections
4,600
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.

Other ways to reach Chicago from San Diego

Nearby airports with service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Metric SAN→ORD SNA→ORD PSP→ORD
Distance from SAN 76 mi 85 mi
Nonstop airlines 4 13 5
Weekly flights 270 145 25
Flight time 3h 31m 4h 3h 56m
Departure OTP 64%
Airports within 200 miles of SAN with service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Travel Essentials

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

When it's 6:00 PM in San Diego, it's 8:00 PM in Chicago.
Distance & Flight Time
1,720 mi / 2,768 km
Nonstop flight time is approximately 3h 31m to 4h 35m.
Getting from ORD

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.

Chicago Climate

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

Key statistics for the San Diego to Chicago route.
Route details
Distance1,720 mi / 2,768 km
Flight time3h 31m to 4h 35m
Time difference+2 hours
Airlines (nonstop)4
Weekly flights270 out / 323 return
1-stop connections123 hubs
Origin: SAN
IATA / ICAOSAN / KSAN
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
Passengers/yr25.6M
Elevation17 ft / 5 m
Destination: ORD
IATA / ICAOORD / KORD
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
Passengers/yr80.0M
Elevation680 ft / 207 m

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SAN to ORD flights.
Nonstop flights from San Diego International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport take approximately 3h 31m to 4h 35m. The route covers 1,720 miles.
4 airlines operate nonstop service: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Sun Country Airlines and United Airlines. Plus 13 codeshare partners.
There are approximately 270 nonstop flights per week from SAN to ORD. The return direction has about 323 weekly flights.
Yes, 1-stop connections are available through FTW, UDD, APA, SCF, VNY, SAF, RIL, SGU, PSP, MDW, EGE, ALO, XNA, HDN, YHM, ICT, CGF, IDA, LCK, HOU, BFI, SDF, LNK, GRR, OKC, AVL, TVC, JAC, FCA, MCN, SUN, ORL, CAE, SCE, TEB, RIC, CHS, BED, ABE, OPF, HPN, MRK, APF, SAV, PAE, PBI, SUA, NAS, GCM, ANC, SJO, ELP, KOA, ABQ, GEG, OGG, LAX, MCO, PTY, SMF, CLT, OMA, RNO, PHX, FAT, LAS, MKE, BNA, ATL, MSP, BWI, SFO, BOS, TUS, DTW, IND, DEN, IAH, MIA, AUS, SLC, STL, DFW, PDX, JFK, FLL, ZRH, SAT, CDG, IAD, ORF, SJC, DCA, CMH, COS, EUG, PHL, BOI, TUL, SEA, PIT, DAL, EWR, MCI, HND, AMS, CMA, YYZ, MSY, YYC, YVR, JAX, TPA, RDU, MRY, SBA, BZN, SJD, PVR, HNL, LHR, MUC and NRT. These options provide additional schedule flexibility.
Chicago is 2 hours ahead of San Diego.
Yes, return flights from ORD to SAN are available. Use the direction toggle at the top to view the return schedule.
Nearby alternatives include SNA, PSP and LGB. 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 SAN to ORD

San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) are connected by nonstop service from American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Sun Country Airlines and United Airlines. With 270 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 31 minutes to 4 hours 35 minutes. The route covers a distance of 1,720 miles (2,768 km). There are approximately 270 weekly flights outbound and 323 return, totaling 593 flights per week in both directions.

Connecting Options and Alternatives

123 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 4 hours via FTW. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Santa Ana (SNA), Palm Springs (PSP) and Long Beach (LGB).