Which airline has the best punctuality record on San Francisco to Chicago flights?

According to our data, American Airlines have had the fewest delays on this route over the last 12 months, with about 10% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

How often are flights from San Francisco to Chicago delayed?

Historically, on average around 10% of flights between San Francisco and Chicago have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 185 minutes.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Tuesday is statistically the day of the week that experiences the fewest delays on this flight route. Sunday has historically seen more delays on average compared to the rest of the week.

How many flights depart from San Francisco to Chicago on average per day?

The number of flights available between San Francisco and Chicago is 40 per day as of February 2026. The most frequent departure time is 06:00, with 44% of daily flights leaving at midday.

What is the cheapest airline that flies from San Francisco to Chicago?

Delta is the most popular carrier operating from San Francisco to Chicago

How many flights depart from San Francisco to Chicago on average per week?

As of February 2026, there are 286 flights per week flying from San Francisco to Chicago. The most common day of the week flights depart is Thu, with 21% of flights taking off on this day.

What is the most punctual flight time for San Francisco to Chicago flights?

Generally, flights departing in the morning tend to experience fewer delays. Flights departing in the evening have, in the past, seen delays more frequently in comparison.

When did momondo last update prices for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?

Prices for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago were last updated today.

How old do you have to be to fly from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?

Although the minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UMNR) service may have their own age limits, which could be impacted by factors such as flight length, timing, and stopovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from San Francisco Airport to Chicago.

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Chicago?

The travel and health documents required for your trip to Chicago can vary based on your itinerary and personal situation. As a rule, consider having multiple documents such as a national ID card or driver’s licence, and a passport valid for six-months after you plan to arrive at Chicago. We always recommend checking with your airline or a trusted third party such as IATA to get advice.

$171 Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Chicago in 2026

Q: What is the typical price of a round-trip flight between San Francisco and Chicago?

Prices are currently typical for flights on this route. Typical prices usually range from $349 to $613. The lowest price recently found on this route was $354.

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Find the cheapest flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Round-trip

One-way

Last minute

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Cheap return flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

06:45 - 13:06

SFO

ORD

4h 21mdirect

21:15 - 00:16

ORD

SFO

5h 01mdirect

$354United Airlines

Sat, 7 Mar - Sat, 14 Mar

18:44 - 00:59

SFO

ORD

4h 15mdirect

21:15 - 00:16

ORD

SFO

5h 01mdirect

$356United Airlines

Fri, 13 Mar - Wed, 18 Mar

16:55 - 23:29

SFO

ORD

4h 34mdirect

06:25 - 09:16

ORD

SFO

4h 51mdirect

$359United Airlines

Wed, 22 Apr - Sun, 26 Apr

20:59 - 06:39

SFO

ORD

7h 40m

1 stop

16:10 - 22:52

ORD

SFO

8h 42m

1 stop

$362Alaska Airlines

Mon, 6 Apr - Thu, 16 Apr

18:44 - 00:59

SFO

ORD

4h 15mdirect

12:52 - 15:57

ORD

SFO

5h 05mdirect

$363United Airlines

Sat, 21 Mar - Tue, 24 Mar

05:30 - 15:25

SFO

ORD

7h 55m

1 stop

16:25 - 21:50

ORD

SFO

7h 25m

1 stop

$366Southwest

Tue, 3 Mar - Tue, 3 Mar

18:44 - 00:59

SFO

ORD

4h 15mdirect

21:15 - 00:16

ORD

SFO

5h 01mdirect

$369United Airlines

Mon, 16 Mar - Fri, 20 Mar

22:45 - 05:07

SFO

ORD

4h 22mdirect

21:15 - 00:16

ORD

SFO

5h 01mdirect

$370United Airlines

Fri, 13 Mar - Wed, 18 Mar

06:30 - 16:33

SFO

ORD

8h 03m

1 stop

08:20 - 22:52

ORD

SFO

16h 32m

1 stop

$373Alaska Airlines

Tue, 17 Mar - Tue, 24 Mar

18:44 - 00:59

SFO

ORD

4h 15mdirect

19:50 - 22:56

ORD

SFO

5h 06mdirect

$376United Airlines

Fri, 20 Mar - Mon, 23 Mar

Southwest flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Our best Southwest deals on San Francisco to Chicago flight tickets

Southwest

3 Mar

SFO05:30San Francisco

7h 55m

1 stop

ORD15:25Chicago O'Hare Intl

3 Mar

ORD16:25Chicago O'Hare Intl

7h 25m

1 stop

SFO21:50San Francisco

$366

Southwest

7 Apr

SFO06:20San Francisco

6h 40m

1 stop

ORD15:00Chicago O'Hare Intl

7 Apr

ORD16:50Chicago O'Hare Intl

8h 25m

1 stop

SFO23:15San Francisco

$398

Southwest

14 Apr

SFO10:05San Francisco

10h 50m

2 stops

ORD22:55Chicago O'Hare Intl

21 Apr

ORD10:30Chicago O'Hare Intl

10h 35m

2 stops

SFO19:05San Francisco

$412

Alaska Airlines flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Our best Alaska Airlines deals on San Francisco to Chicago flight tickets

Alaska Airlines

6 Apr

SFO20:59San Francisco

7h 40m

1 stop

ORD06:39Chicago O'Hare Intl

16 Apr

ORD16:10Chicago O'Hare Intl

8h 42m

1 stop

SFO22:52San Francisco

$362

Alaska Airlines

17 Mar

SFO06:30San Francisco

8h 03m

1 stop

ORD16:33Chicago O'Hare Intl

24 Mar

ORD08:20Chicago O'Hare Intl

16h 32m

1 stop

SFO22:52San Francisco

$373

Alaska Airlines

23 Feb

SFO06:40San Francisco

15h 19m

1 stop

ORD23:59Chicago O'Hare Intl

24 Feb

ORD07:00Chicago O'Hare Intl

10h 48m

1 stop

SFO15:48San Francisco

$385

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Sat 7/3

06:45-13:06

Nonstop4h 21m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 14/3

21:15-00:16

Nonstop5h 01m

$354

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Fri 13/3

18:44-00:59

Nonstop4h 15m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 18/3

21:15-00:16

Nonstop5h 01m

$356

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Wed 22/4

16:55-23:29

Nonstop4h 34m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sun 26/4

06:25-09:16

Nonstop4h 51m

$359

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Mon 6/4

20:59-06:39

1 stop7h 40m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 16/4

16:10-22:52

1 stop8h 42m

$362

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Sat 21/3

18:44-00:59

Nonstop4h 15m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 24/3

12:52-15:57

Nonstop5h 05m

$363

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Tue 3/3

05:30-15:25

1 stop7h 55m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 3/3

16:25-21:50

1 stop7h 25m

$366

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Mon 16/3

18:44-00:59

Nonstop4h 15m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 20/3

21:15-00:16

Nonstop5h 01m

$369

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Fri 13/3

22:45-05:07

Nonstop4h 22m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 18/3

21:15-00:16

Nonstop5h 01m

$370

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Tue 17/3

06:30-16:33

1 stop8h 03m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Tue 24/3

08:20-22:52

1 stop16h 32m

$373

San FranciscoChicago

SFO - ORD

SFOORD

San Francisco

Fri 20/3

18:44-00:59

Nonstop4h 15m

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Mon 23/3

19:50-22:56

Nonstop5h 06m

$376

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Showing 1-10 of 20 resultsSorted by cheapest first

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from San Francisco to Chicago

Look no further. We've gone through all the searches for this route on momondo so you have the important information and insights to find the cheapest flight ticket for your trip

Prices

Airlines

Delays

Other information

What is the typical price of a round-trip flight between San Francisco and Chicago?

What is the cheapest month to fly to Chicago?

If you don’t want to visit Chicago in September, then you should wait until February to fly from San Francisco, when ticket prices are also cheap, with an average price of $426.

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Chicago?

Our data shows that the cheapest San Francisco to Chicago flights are usually those with departure times in the evening. Our users have found flights to Chicago in the evening for as low as $529. Flights in the morning are often more expensive, with an average ticket price of $623.

What is the cheapest San Francisco to Chicago flight route?

Fly from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl for the best San Francisco - Chicago flight prices

How far in advance should I book a flight to Chicago?

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to Chicago from San Francisco when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to Chicago for around $543 when searching weeks before you fly. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Chicago from San Francisco for as low as $429 on momondo.

What cabin class options are available on San Francisco to Chicago flights?

There is only 1 cabin class available to choose from on San Francisco to Chicago flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

Can stopping save me money on San Francisco to Chicago flights?

No. A direct flight is the cheapest option for a flight between San Francisco to Chicago.

How have San Francisco to Chicago flight prices changed over time?

As of February 2026, prices for San Francisco to Chicago flights are approximately 14% more expensive when compared to flights at the same time last year.

When to book flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Are you open to changing your travel dates? Check out the ideal times to fly from San Francisco to Chicago according to our flight data. Find out which month and days have the cheapest flights.

Estimated return price

Cheap San Francisco to Chicago (SFO to CHI) flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from San Francisco to Chicago

Fastest flight time	4h 41m
Direct flights	Every day
Airports in Chicago	3 airports

The fastest flight from San Francisco to Chicago takes 4h 41m

Direct flights go from San Francisco to Chicago every day.

There are 3 airports in Chicago. From San Francisco there are direct flights to Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD).

Search flight deals

How far is San Francisco to Chicago by plane?
The straight-line distance from San Francisco to Chicago is 2981.9 km. A reasonable flight in good conditions will take 4h 41m.
When did momondo last update prices for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?
Prices for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago were last updated today.
How old do you have to be to fly from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?
Although the minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UMNR) service may have their own age limits, which could be impacted by factors such as flight length, timing, and stopovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from San Francisco Airport to Chicago.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Chicago?
The travel and health documents required for your trip to Chicago can vary based on your itinerary and personal situation. As a rule, consider having multiple documents such as a national ID card or driver’s licence, and a passport valid for six-months after you plan to arrive at Chicago. We always recommend checking with your airline or a trusted third party such as IATA to get advice.
What is the most popular plane model from San Francisco to Chicago?
Based on momondo bookings for this flight route, the most popular plane model on flight routes from San Francisco to Chicago is Airbus A321neo (21.05% of total bookings). The next most popular plane models are Boeing 737-800 (16.44%), Boeing 757-300 (14.09%), and Boeing 737-900 (9.36%).

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to find a flight deal from San Francisco to Chicago?

momondo collates all your flight options in one place and lets you filter them to find the perfect flight from San Francisco to Chicago. momondo saves you time and could save you money on your trip.

Can I find flights from San Francisco to Chicago with flexible booking policies on momondo?

momondo does allow users to show only those flights to Chicago from San Francisco which offer a flexible booking policy as well as other useful filters and features.

How can momondo help me find flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

momondo helps you find the best flight between San Francisco and Chicago by providing filters to narrow your choice of flights to those matching your criteria. You can select flights based on numerous factors such as price, departure and landing times, airport and airline.

I’m not ready to book a flight from San Francisco to Chicago right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

Yes momondo offers price alerts on flights to Chicago from San Francisco. After performing a search on this page you should be able to see the price alert set up feature. Simply provide a valid email address and momondo will instantly alert you when prices change.

An easier way to manage your Chicago trip

We make it super easy to schedule, organise and travel with friends or family. Trips is free – and available to use no matter where you book.

Start using Trips

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Fly into one of these airports located in Chicago

Chicago Midway Airport

Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport

Cheap flights from San Francisco to Chicago from $171

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a momondo user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from San Francisco to Chicago departing on 1/4. Fares may change, and may not be available for all flights or travel dates. Click the price to refresh the search for this deal.

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Big names, great deals

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Find the cheapest flights from San Francisco to Chicago

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Southwest flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Our best Southwest deals on San Francisco to Chicago flight tickets

Alaska Airlines flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Our best Alaska Airlines deals on San Francisco to Chicago flight tickets

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Use the filters below to find and compare flights from San Francisco to Chicago that are best for you.

See travel insights to Chicago from

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from San Francisco to Chicago

What is the typical price of a round-trip flight between San Francisco and Chicago?

What is the cheapest month to fly to Chicago?

If you don’t want to visit Chicago in September, then you should wait until February to fly from San Francisco, when ticket prices are also cheap, with an average price of $426.

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Chicago?

Our data shows that the cheapest San Francisco to Chicago flights are usually those with departure times in the evening. Our users have found flights to Chicago in the evening for as low as $529. Flights in the morning are often more expensive, with an average ticket price of $623.

What is the cheapest San Francisco to Chicago flight route?

Fly from San Francisco to Chicago O'Hare Intl for the best San Francisco - Chicago flight prices

How far in advance should I book a flight to Chicago?

What cabin class options are available on San Francisco to Chicago flights?

There is only 1 cabin class available to choose from on San Francisco to Chicago flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

Can stopping save me money on San Francisco to Chicago flights?

No. A direct flight is the cheapest option for a flight between San Francisco to Chicago.

How have San Francisco to Chicago flight prices changed over time?

As of February 2026, prices for San Francisco to Chicago flights are approximately 14% more expensive when compared to flights at the same time last year.

What is the cheapest airline that flies from San Francisco to Chicago?

Delta is the most popular carrier operating from San Francisco to Chicago

How often are flights from San Francisco to Chicago delayed?

Historically, on average around 10% of flights between San Francisco and Chicago have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 185 minutes.

What is the most punctual flight time for San Francisco to Chicago flights?

Generally, flights departing in the morning tend to experience fewer delays. Flights departing in the evening have, in the past, seen delays more frequently in comparison.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Tuesday is statistically the day of the week that experiences the fewest delays on this flight route. Sunday has historically seen more delays on average compared to the rest of the week.

Which airline has the best punctuality record on San Francisco to Chicago flights?

According to our data, American Airlines have had the fewest delays on this route over the last 12 months, with about 10% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

How many flights depart from San Francisco to Chicago on average per day?

The number of flights available between San Francisco and Chicago is 40 per day as of February 2026. The most frequent departure time is 06:00, with 44% of daily flights leaving at midday.

How many flights depart from San Francisco to Chicago on average per week?

As of February 2026, there are 286 flights per week flying from San Francisco to Chicago. The most common day of the week flights depart is Thu, with 21% of flights taking off on this day.

When to book flights from San Francisco to Chicago

Cheap San Francisco to Chicago (SFO to CHI) flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from San Francisco to Chicago

Fastest flight time

Direct flights

Airports in Chicago

How far is San Francisco to Chicago by plane?

When did momondo last update prices for flights from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?

How old do you have to be to fly from San Francisco Airport to Chicago?

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Chicago?

What is the most popular plane model from San Francisco to Chicago?

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to find a flight deal from San Francisco to Chicago?

Can I find flights from San Francisco to Chicago with flexible booking policies on momondo?

How can momondo help me find flights from San Francisco to Chicago?

I’m not ready to book a flight from San Francisco to Chicago right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

An easier way to manage your Chicago trip

We make it super easy to schedule, organise and travel with friends or family. Trips is free – and available to use no matter where you book.

Get notified when prices go down

Daily price changes in your inbox - only with Price Alerts.

Find better results for your trip to the United States

Fly into one of these airports located in Chicago

Airports listed have a maximum distance of 25.6 km from Chicago

Cabin classes currently available on flights to Chicago

List of cabin classes available on flights landing in Chicago. Availability may vary depending on flight origin and airline.

Popular Cities in the United States

Popular flights according to clicks in the last 7 days on momondo

Fly to other destinations from San Francisco

According to popular flight searches on momondo this year