Louisville to Chicago (SDF–ORD) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
Flight Schedule
68 flights
Verified 36m ago
Flight
Airline
AC
Dep
Arr
Dur
OTP
Sched
Outbound Day
Return Day
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
Aircraft
Terminals
On-Time
performance
Schedule
Unknown
No flights match your filters.
No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
✦ 1-Stop Connections
→
Separate tickets — book each leg independently. Collect and recheck bags at .
Hub OTP
No data
Combos
No data
Fastest
estimated
Schedule
Unknown
Leg 1
Leg 2
✧ 2-Stop Connections
Separate tickets — book each leg independently. Collect and recheck bags at each hub.
bottleneck
Layover
OTP
No data
Combos
No data
bottleneck
Layover
OTP
No data
Combos
No data
Leg 1
Leg 2
Leg 3
Louisville to Chicago
9 carriers, 243 flights/week nonstop.
9 Airlines
243 Flights/wk
287 mi
0h 53m nonstop
-1h behind
71 1-stop hubs
SDF–ORD is served by 9 airlines with nonstop service. American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 287 miles in approximately 0h 53m. Beyond nonstop, 71 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Carriers on this route
Airline Landscape
All carriers operating nonstop SDF–ORD service, compared side by side.
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA American Airlines | 55 | E70, E75, E75S | 1h17-1h48 | Oneworld | – | |
| AS Alaska Airlines | 48 | E75, E75S | 1h34-1h48 | Oneworld | – | |
| UA United Airlines | 48 | CR5, E75L, E7W | 1h25-1h53 | Star Alliance | – | |
| AC Air Canada | 28 | CR7, E75L, E7W | 1h44-1h55 | Star Alliance | – | |
| EI Aer Lingus | 28 | E75, E75S | 1h34-1h48 | – | – | |
| BA British Airways | 14 | E75, E75S | 1h34-1h42 | Oneworld | – | |
| AY Finnair | 7 | E75 | 1h48 | Oneworld | – | |
| CM Copa Airlines | 7 | E75L | 1h44 | Star Alliance | – | |
| IB Iberia | 7 | E70 | 1h34 | Oneworld | – |
Aircraft on this route
OTP based on airport-level delay snapshots. Duration ranges reflect seasonal/directional variation.
Schedule
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Nonstop flight frequency by day of week, SDF to ORD direction.
Mon
36
flights
Tue
35
flights
Wed
35
flights
Thu
35
flights
Fri
35
flights
Sat
31
flights
Sun
35
flights
Departure time distribution
12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM12 AM
Morning departures
Afternoon/evening departures
36
Nonstop flights
243
Outbound / wk
206
Return / wk
Connections
Connection Landscape
Beyond nonstop. 1-stop and 2-stop options for SDF to ORD.
1-STOP
One-Stop Connections
71
Hubs
~3h
Fastest
~25h
Longest
Verified with published schedule alignment and minimum connection time.
2-STOP
Two-Stop Connections
3,296
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.
Reliability
On-Time Performance
What to expect at each end of your journey.
Outbound
SDF → ORD
100%
Generally reliable. Most flights run on time.
Departing
100%
Arriving
97%
Return
ORD → SDF
75%
Generally reliable. Most flights run on time.
Departing
75%
Arriving
92%
OTP = percentage of flights arriving within 15 min of schedule. Based on airport-level delay snapshots.
SDF delays → ORD delays →
Alternatives
Other ways to reach Chicago from Louisville
Nearby airports with service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
| Metric | SDF→ORD | LEX→ORD | OWB→ORD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from SDF | – | 62 mi | 83 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 9 | 8 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 243 | 133 | 10 |
| Flight time | 0h 53m | 1h | 1h 35m |
| Departure OTP | 100% | – | – |
Lexington (LEX) to Chicago flights · Owensboro (OWB) to Chicago flights · Cincinnati / Covington (CVG) to Chicago flights
Airports within 200 miles of SDF with service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Know before you go
Travel Essentials
Practical planning for this route.
Time Difference
-1h
Chicago is 1 hour
behind
Louisville.
SDF: EDT · ORD: CDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Louisville, it's 5:00 PM in Chicago.
SDF: EDT · ORD: CDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Louisville, it's 5:00 PM in Chicago.
Distance & Flight Time
287 mi / 462 km
Nonstop flight time is approximately 0h 53m to 1h 55m.
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.
Facts
SDF–ORD Quick Facts
Key statistics for the Louisville to Chicago route.
Route details
Distance287 mi / 462 km
Flight time0h 53m to 1h 55m
Time difference-1 hour
Airlines (nonstop)9
Weekly flights243 out / 206 return
1-stop connections71 hubs
Origin: SDF
IATA / ICAOSDF / KSDF
TimezoneAmerica/Kentucky/Louisville
Passengers/yr4.7M
Elevation501 ft / 153 m
Destination: ORD
Full nameChicago O'Hare International Airport
IATA / ICAOORD / KORD
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
Passengers/yr80.0M
Elevation680 ft / 207 m
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about SDF to ORD flights.
Nonstop flights from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport take approximately 0h 53m to 1h 55m. The route covers 287 miles.
9 airlines operate nonstop service: American Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Finnair, British Airways, Copa Airlines, Aer Lingus, Iberia and United Airlines.
There are approximately 243 nonstop flights per week from SDF to ORD. The return direction has about 206 weekly flights.
Yes, 1-stop connections are available through MKE, CLE, DEC, TUL, MEM, SHV, OMA, CRW, YYZ, MSY, FRG, ROA, TVC, SYR, MLI, FAR, VPS, APF, YWG, BDL, ALB, PBI, YOW, ABQ, EGE, SAT, MTJ, ASE, BOI, ELP, ONT, BFI, TUS, SAN, GEG, LAX, SNA, PDX, YVR, SJC, SJU, ANC, MIA, ATL, CLT, BNA, SRQ, MCO, DFW, BWI, DUB, HND, DTW, IAD, IAH, HNL, RDU, EWR, MSP, DCA, PHL, LGA, RSW, FLL, PHX, TPA, BOS, DEN, DAL, LAS and NRT. These options provide additional schedule flexibility.
Chicago is 1 hour behind Louisville.
Yes, return flights from ORD to SDF are available. Use the direction toggle at the top to view the return schedule.
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.
United Airlines operates 3 to 5 daily nonstops on E175 regional jets via SkyWest. American Airlines runs 2 to 3 daily departures on E175 through Envoy Air or Republic Airways. The sector is 296 miles with a block time of 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. No low-cost carrier serves SDF-ORD nonstop. Southwest operates from SDF but routes to Midway (MDW) and other cities, not ORD.
Most passengers are connecting at ORD to United or American's broader network. Louisville-to-Chicago point-to-point demand exists for business travel, but many passengers continue to West Coast, international, or other destinations through O'Hare. Southwest's SDF-MDW service handles a portion of the Chicago point-to-point market at lower fares. The drive to Chicago takes about 4 hours 30 minutes on I-65, which makes driving competitive for the direct trip.
UPS Worldport at SDF is the largest automated package sorting facility in the world. UPS operations dominate the airport's cargo side. Passenger operations are entirely separate on the other side of the field. Late-night UPS sort activity means the airport runs 24 hours, but passenger travelers will not notice cargo operations unless they are near the airport at night. UPS is Louisville's largest private employer and generates ancillary business travel demand.
SDF is a single-terminal airport handling about 4 million passengers annually. It has three concourses (A, B, C). Security lines are typically short. The airport is 6 miles south of downtown Louisville, about 15 minutes by car. No rail connection exists. Economy parking runs $9 per day. The terminal was renamed after Muhammad Ali in 2019. TARC bus Route 2 connects the airport to downtown but takes 40 minutes with multiple stops.
The Kentucky Derby in early May creates a significant inbound demand spike for Louisville. Airlines sometimes add capacity or upgauge equipment during Derby week. Bourbon tourism has become year-round, with fall being the peak season for distillery visits along the Bourbon Trail. Business travel is steady Monday through Thursday. Holiday travel around Thanksgiving and Christmas sees full flights. Winter weather can disrupt both SDF and ORD, particularly January through February.
Louisville to Chicago O'Hare: Kentucky's Hub Feeder
SDF-ORD connects Louisville to the major United and American hub at O'Hare. United runs 3 to 5 daily nonstops on E175 equipment. American adds 2 to 3 daily departures. The 296-mile sector runs 1 hour 10 to 20 minutes. Louisville's economy is anchored by UPS Worldport (the world's largest automated package sort hub), Humana, Yum Brands, and the bourbon industry. Business travel to Chicago and through Chicago to global destinations drives the weekday schedule. The Kentucky Derby in early May creates the most visible annual demand spike, with inbound traffic filling hotels and flights across the region.
Driving Alternative and Market Structure
Chicago is a 4.5-hour drive from Louisville on I-65. This makes driving competitive for point-to-point trips, especially for travelers with heavy luggage or families. Southwest's SDF to Midway service handles much of the budget-conscious Chicago traffic. The SDF-ORD route exists primarily for connections. Louisville passengers reach Europe, Asia, and the West Coast through ORD on United and American. SDF's single terminal is built for efficiency with short security lines and easy navigation. Concourses A and B handle most traffic. Parking is affordable at $9 per day in the economy lot. The airport sits close to the bourbon distillery corridor, with Evan Williams, Angel's Envy, and Old Forester all within 20 minutes of the terminal.