Seattle to Chicago (SEA–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.
SEA–ORD is served by 5 airlines with nonstop service. American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 1,716 miles in approximately 4h 14m. 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, EI, GF, IB, MH, QR, RJ | 49 | 321, 738, A21N | 4h01-4h31 | Oneworld | AY, BA, EI, GF, IB, MH, QR, RJ | |
| AS Alaska Airlines Also: AY, IB, KE, QR | 49 | 73H, 73J, 7M9, B39M | 3h59-4h26 | Oneworld | AY, IB, KE, QR | |
| UA United Airlines Also: AV, LH, LX, OS, SN | 43 | 32Q, 738, 7M8, 7M9, B39M | 3h37-4h21 | Star Alliance | AV, LH, LX, OS, SN | |
| DL Delta Air Lines Also: AF, KE, SK | 21 | 738, 739 | 4h07-4h16 | SkyTeam | AF, KE, SK | |
| HA Hawaiian Airlines | 0 | – | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Chicago from Seattle
| Metric | SEA→ORD | BFI→ORD | PAE→ORD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from SEA | – | 5 mi | 32 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 386 | 1 | – |
| Flight time | 4h 14m | 3h 53m | 4h 11m |
| Departure OTP | 87% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
SEA: PDT · ORD: CDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Seattle, it's 8:00 PM in Chicago.
Link Light Rail runs from downtown Seattle (Westlake station) to the airport in 38 minutes ($3.50 peak). Trains run every 6–12 minutes during peak hours from 5am to 1am. Ride-shares run $30–50 from downtown; SR-99 and I-5 can be heavily congested southbound during afternoon rush (3–7pm).
Sound Transit 574 express bus serves Tacoma ($2.50–4). Sounder commuter rail connects Tacoma to the airport area via a shuttle.
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.
SEA–ORD Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Seattle to Chicago O'Hare: Cross-Country Business Route
SEA-ORD links the Pacific Northwest's economic engine to the Midwest's largest city. Alaska, United, American, and Delta combine for 9 to 13 daily nonstops. Block time is about 4 hours eastbound and 4 hours 40 minutes westbound. The route serves heavy corporate traffic: Seattle's tech companies and Boeing presence generate consistent business travel to Chicago's financial, consulting, and manufacturing sectors. Both airports function as major hubs for their respective home carriers, making this a route where connecting passengers mix with point-to-point travelers.
Hub-to-Hub Connectivity
Seattle is Alaska Airlines' primary hub. O'Hare is United's second-largest hub and American's third. This means SEA-ORD acts as a bridge between two large connecting complexes. A passenger originating in Boise or Anchorage can connect through SEA to ORD and onward to the eastern US or Europe via United or American. The reverse works for Midwest travelers heading to Alaska or the Pacific Northwest. Red-eye options exist on this route, with late departures from Seattle arriving at O'Hare in the early morning. The 2-hour time gain eastbound makes these flights practical for next-day meetings. O'Hare's Blue Line train provides 24/7 rail access to downtown Chicago for $5.