Chicago to Las Vegas Flights
Chicago to Las Vegas is one of the busiest domestic leisure corridors in the US, with over 90 nonstop departures per week from O'Hare and Midway combined. Four carriers compete head-to-head — United, American, and Frontier from ORD, plus Southwest from MDW — so fares vary widely depending on when you book and which airport you choose. This guide covers how to find the best airfare from Chicago to Las Vegas: which carriers fly nonstop, what the fares actually look like, and when to book.
This route exemplifies domestic airline competition at its most intense. The presence of both legacy carriers (United, American) and ultra-low-cost operator Frontier at O'Hare, combined with Southwest's fortress position at Midway, creates a pricing environment where the same seat can vary by hundreds of dollars depending on booking timing, day of week, and fare class. The 2-hour time zone gain westbound also makes it uniquely suited to Friday-departure weekend trips — you land in Vegas with the entire evening ahead of you.
Chicago to Las Vegas Flights: Quick Facts
Chicago to Las Vegas is a high-frequency domestic route with 90+ weekly nonstop departures across four carriers and two airports. The intense competition between legacy airlines at O'Hare and Southwest at Midway creates a dynamic pricing environment where timing and airport choice matter as much as carrier selection.
| Flight time (outbound) | ~3h 50min westbound (nonstop) |
|---|---|
| Flight time (return) | ~4h 10min eastbound (nonstop, headwinds) |
| Distance | ~1,524 miles |
| Nonstop fares from | Search for current availability |
| Cheapest months | January, February, late August |
| Nonstop airlines | United, American, Southwest, Frontier |
| Daily departures | 15+ nonstop flights daily across both airports |
| Book ahead | 4–8 weeks for economy; 3–6 weeks for First Class |
Chicago to Las Vegas Route Overview
| Route | Chicago (ORD / MDW) → Las Vegas (LAS / Harry Reid International) |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~1,524 miles |
| Flight Time (Outbound) | ~3h 50min westbound |
| Flight Time (Return) | ~4h 10min eastbound (headwinds) |
| Nonstop Carriers | United Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines (from ORD); Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines (from MDW) |
| Connecting Carriers | Delta Air Lines (via ATL/MSP/SLC) |
| Peak Season | March–May (pool season, March Madness, CES aftermath, conventions), major event weekends (F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Super Bowl, New Year's Eve) |
| Shoulder Season | September–November (excluding F1 weekend), January–February (post-holidays) |
| Premium Cabins | Domestic First Class on United Airlines and American Airlines (recliner seat, not lie-flat) |
How Much Does a Flight from Chicago to Las Vegas Cost?
The fare table below shows indicative starting prices across carriers and cabins for Chicago to Las Vegas flights. Ultra-low-cost fares (Frontier) are base prices only — add $60–$120 for bags and seat selection. Legacy carrier fares (United, American) include a carry-on bag in Main Cabin and above.
| Cabin | Airline | From | Stops | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Frontier Airlines | $81 | Nonstop (ORD/MDW) | Ultra-low-cost base fare — bags and seat selection extra |
| Economy | Southwest Airlines | $98 | Nonstop (MDW) | Wanna Get Away fare — no change fees, bags $45/$55 |
| Economy | United Airlines | $119 | Nonstop (ORD) | Basic Economy — one personal item, no changes |
| Economy | American Airlines | $125 | Nonstop (ORD) | Basic Economy — similar restrictions to United |
| Economy | Delta Air Lines | $144 | 1 stop (ATL/SLC/MSP) | Connecting — no nonstop ORD/MDW→LAS from Delta |
| First | United Airlines | $350 | Nonstop (ORD) | Domestic First — wider recliner seat, free bags, drinks |
| First | American Airlines | $380 | Nonstop (ORD) | Domestic First — similar product to United |
Indicative round-trip fares from public aggregators, inclusive of taxes and fees. Actual fares vary by date, availability, and booking class — search for live prices. Ultra-low-cost fares (Frontier) exclude baggage, seat selection, and carry-on fees which can add $60–$120 round-trip.
Business Class from Chicago to Las Vegas
Chicago to Las Vegas is a domestic route where United and American offer domestic First Class on most departures. These are recliner-style seats with extra legroom, complimentary drinks, and priority boarding. Southwest offers Business Select but no dedicated premium cabin. Search for live availability on your dates.
Business Class Cabin Comparison
| Airline | Product | Seat Type | Direct Aisle | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | United First | Recliner (2-2) | Yes | Search for live fares |
| American Airlines | First Class | Recliner (2-2) | Yes | Search for live fares |
| Southwest Airlines | Business Select | Standard (3-3, priority boarding A1–A15) | No | Search for live fares |
Why Camli Business Class Fares Are Lower
- Official airline e-tickets — your booking appears in the airline’s own system
- Earn full frequent flyer miles (MileagePlus, AAdvantage, Rapid Rewards)
- Same flight, same seat, same service — search for live availability
- IATA-accredited agency — 2M+ tickets issued
- Priority boarding, extra legroom, and complimentary drinks included with First Class
Airlines Flying Chicago to Las Vegas
Four carriers operate nonstop Chicago to Las Vegas flights — United and American from O'Hare, Southwest from Midway, and Frontier from both airports. Delta connects via Atlanta, Salt Lake City, or Minneapolis but does not fly this route nonstop. Schedules as of publication.
- United Airlines (UA) — nonstop, Multiple daily (ORD→LAS). United's O'Hare hub means high frequency and competitive pricing. Economy Plus available for extra legroom ($40–$80). MileagePlus earning on all fares except Basic Economy partner tickets.
- American Airlines (AA) — nonstop, Multiple daily (ORD→LAS). Strong ORD presence with multiple daily departures. AAdvantage miles earned on all fares. Admirals Club access with First Class or membership. Main Cabin Extra offers 3–6 inches additional legroom.
- Southwest Airlines (WN) — nonstop, 5–7 daily (MDW→LAS). Dominates the Midway–Las Vegas corridor with the highest frequency of any carrier. No change or cancellation fees on any fare. Checked bags: $45 first, $55 second (as of April 2026). Rapid Rewards points are highly flexible.
- Frontier Airlines (F9) — nonstop, Daily or near-daily (ORD and MDW→LAS). Serves both Chicago airports. Ultra-low-cost carrier with fully unbundled pricing. Discount Den membership ($59.99/year) unlocks members-only fares. Stretch seating available for extra legroom.
Best Time to Fly from Chicago to Las Vegas
Timing matters significantly on this route. The difference between peak-season Friday departures and off-peak Tuesday flights can exceed $200 round-trip on the same carrier. Understanding Las Vegas's event calendar and Chicago's school schedules helps you find the best airfare without compromising on your travel dates.
Cheapest Months to Fly
January (post-New Year's through month-end), February (excluding Valentine's weekend), and late August through mid-September consistently offer the lowest fares on Chicago to Las Vegas flights. These windows avoid the spring convention surge, summer family travel peak, and holiday demand spikes. The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix in November creates a localized price spike for that specific weekend but surrounding weeks remain affordable.
Monthly Price Calendar
- Jan (low): Post-holiday lull — Chicago travelers stay home after the holidays. Fares drop sharply after January 2.
- Feb (low): Low demand except Valentine's weekend. Good value for mid-week Vegas trips from Chicago.
- Mar (high): March Madness, spring break, and pool season openings drive heavy demand from the Midwest.
- Apr (high): Convention season peaks. NAB Show and multiple large events fill Las Vegas hotels and flights.
- May (high): Memorial Day weekend surge. EDC Las Vegas also drives demand in late May.
- Jun (medium): Summer family travel begins. Extreme heat (105°F+) deters some but not enough to lower fares significantly.
- Jul (medium): July 4th weekend is expensive; mid-month is moderate. Heat peaks but Vegas is an indoor destination.
- Aug (low): Back-to-school timing reduces leisure demand. Late August is one of the cheapest windows of the year.
- Sep (medium): Labor Day weekend is pricey; rest of September is excellent value as temperatures become bearable.
- Oct (medium): Pleasant weather returns. Convention calendar picks up but fares remain moderate from Chicago.
- Nov (high): F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend (late November) causes extreme price spikes. Other weeks are moderate.
- Dec (high): Holiday travel and New Year's Eve in Vegas create the highest fares of the year from Chicago.
Cheapest Days of the Week
Tuesday and Wednesday departures from Chicago are reliably the cheapest days to fly to Las Vegas, often significantly cheaper than Friday or Sunday pricing on the same carrier and cabin. For return flights, Tuesday and Wednesday also offer the best value. The most expensive combination is a Friday departure with a Sunday return — the classic weekend-trip pattern that every other traveler is also booking.
How Far in Advance to Book
For economy fares, the sweet spot is 4–8 weeks before departure. Booking earlier than 10 weeks rarely yields better prices on this high-frequency domestic route because carriers adjust inventory dynamically. For First Class on United or American, 3–6 weeks ahead tends to offer the best availability before upgrade-eligible frequent flyers claim the remaining seats. Last-minute bookings (under 7 days) are unpredictable — occasionally cheap on Frontier if seats remain, but often 2–3x the advance-purchase price on legacy carriers.
Chicago to Las Vegas Travel Tips
- Compare Both Chicago Airports — They Serve Different Carriers: O'Hare (ORD) gives you United, American, and Frontier nonstop to Las Vegas. Midway (MDW) gives you Southwest and Frontier. These are genuinely different pricing ecosystems — Southwest doesn't appear on Google Flights or most aggregators, so you must check southwest.com separately. A fare that looks cheapest on one airport may be beaten by $30–$50 on the other, especially mid-week.
- Ultra-Low-Cost Fares Are Only Cheap If You Pack Light: Frontier advertises base fares from $81 round-trip, but those are personal-item-only prices. Adding a carry-on bag ($45–$65 each way) and a checked bag ($35–$55 each way) can push the total above what United or American charge for a Main Cabin fare that includes a carry-on. Always calculate the all-in cost before booking. If you genuinely travel with just a backpack, Frontier is hard to beat on this route.
- The Red-Eye Return Saves Money and a Hotel Night: Multiple carriers offer late-night departures from Las Vegas back to Chicago (departing 10–11 PM Pacific, arriving 4–5 AM Central). These red-eye flights are consistently cheaper than daytime returns and eliminate the need for a final hotel night. You land at O'Hare or Midway early enough to head home or even start your workday — though admittedly, sleeping on a 4-hour flight after a Vegas trip requires discipline.
- Check the Las Vegas Convention Calendar Before Booking: CES (January), NAB Show (April), SEMA (November), and dozens of mid-size conferences can dramatically inflate both airfare and hotel prices for specific date ranges. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority publishes a calendar at visitlasvegas.com — cross-reference your dates before committing. Shifting by even 2–3 days around a major convention can dramatically change your total trip cost.
- Southwest's No-Change-Fee Policy Is Valuable for Vegas Trips: Vegas trips are often planned spontaneously or subject to group coordination changes. Southwest allows free changes and cancellations on all fare types (you receive a travel credit for Wanna Get Away fares, or a full refund for Anytime/Business Select). This flexibility has real value on a leisure route where plans shift — no other carrier on this route offers comparable rebooking freedom without paying for a premium fare class.
About Las Vegas
The Strip and Beyond
Las Vegas Boulevard's 4-mile stretch of mega-resorts offers world-class dining, Cirque du Soleil productions, and nightlife — but the city has expanded well beyond gambling. The Arts District (18b), Fremont East, and Summerlin offer distinct experiences for repeat visitors.
Day Trips from Las Vegas
Red Rock Canyon (20 minutes west), Valley of Fire State Park (1 hour northeast), and the Grand Canyon West Rim with the Skywalk (2.5 hours) are all accessible as day trips. Hoover Dam and Lake Mead are 45 minutes southeast.
Entertainment Capital
Residency shows (Adele, Usher, and rotating headliners at Resorts World, MGM Grand, and Caesars Palace), the Sphere's immersive experiences, and major sporting events (Raiders NFL, Golden Knights NHL, F1 Grand Prix) make Las Vegas a year-round entertainment destination.
Convention and Business Travel
The Las Vegas Convention Center (3.2 million sq ft) and Mandalay Bay Convention Center host hundreds of trade shows annually. Chicago business travelers frequently fly this route for CES, NAB, SEMA, and industry-specific conferences.
Visa & Entry Requirements — Las Vegas
Domestic flight — no passport or visa required
This is a domestic US flight. TSA requires a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport). REAL ID-compliant identification is required for domestic air travel as of May 2025.
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
|---|---|
| Timezone | Pacific Time (PT / UTC−8) — Las Vegas is 2 hours behind Chicago (Central Time) |
| Language | English |
| Plug Type | Type A/B (standard US outlets) |
Entry requirements as of publication — verify with the destination country's embassy before travel.
Frequently Asked Questions — Chicago to Las Vegas Flights
- How long is the flight from Chicago to Las Vegas?
- Nonstop flights from Chicago to Las Vegas take approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes westbound. The return flight to Chicago is slightly longer at around 4 hours and 10 minutes due to prevailing headwinds. This applies equally whether you depart from O'Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW) — the distance is essentially the same from both airports.
- Which airlines fly nonstop from Chicago to Las Vegas?
- Four airlines operate nonstop Chicago to Las Vegas flights. From O'Hare (ORD): United Airlines, American Airlines, and Frontier Airlines. From Midway (MDW): Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines. Delta Air Lines serves this route but only with connections through Atlanta, Salt Lake City, or Minneapolis — they do not fly nonstop from either Chicago airport to Las Vegas.
- Is it cheaper to fly from O'Hare or Midway to Las Vegas?
- It depends on the specific dates and how you value flexibility. Midway (MDW) often has lower base fares because Southwest and Frontier compete aggressively there. The key difference is that Southwest (MDW only) offers free changes on all fares, which has real value for leisure trips where plans might shift. Always search both airports.
- What is the cheapest way to fly from Chicago to Las Vegas?
- The cheapest airfare from Chicago to Las Vegas typically comes from Frontier on a Tuesday or Wednesday departure, booked 4–8 weeks in advance, during January, February, or late August. However, the advertised fare only includes a personal item — if you need a carry-on or checked bag, calculate the all-in cost and compare against Southwest or legacy carriers' Main Cabin fares, which include more.
- When should I book Chicago to Las Vegas flights?
- For the best balance of price and availability, book 4–8 weeks before your departure date. Booking earlier than 10 weeks rarely yields lower fares on this high-frequency route because airlines adjust pricing dynamically. Booking within 7 days of departure is risky — fares on United and American often double, though Frontier occasionally has unsold inventory at low prices.
- Are there direct flights from Chicago Midway to Las Vegas?
- Yes. Southwest Airlines operates 5–7 daily nonstop flights from Midway (MDW) to Las Vegas (LAS), making it the highest-frequency carrier on this route from either Chicago airport. Frontier Airlines also serves MDW→LAS with daily or near-daily nonstop service. Midway is generally faster to navigate than O'Hare and closer to Chicago's South Side.
- How do I find cheap flights from Chicago to Las Vegas?
- Start by comparing both airports (ORD and MDW) and all four nonstop carriers. Check Southwest separately at southwest.com since they do not appear on most aggregators. Be flexible on your departure day — Tuesday and Wednesday flights are consistently much cheaper than Friday or Sunday. Avoid dates that overlap with major Las Vegas conventions (CES in January, NAB in April, SEMA in November) when both airfare and hotels spike.
- Does Camli offer consolidator fares on Chicago to Las Vegas?
- Camli's consolidator network primarily benefits international and premium-cabin routes where the gap between published and wholesale pricing is largest. On a high-competition domestic route like Chicago to Las Vegas, the publicly available fares from four competing carriers are already aggressively priced. Search on Camli to compare all options, and call +1-(855)-919-6470 if you need help finding the best combination of price, flexibility, and baggage inclusion.