Chicago skyline at sunrise reflected in Lake Michigan. Flights from New Orleans to Chicago

Route guide

Cheap Flights from New Orleans to Chicago

Compare partner fares from New Orleans to Chicago O'Hare, then use the notes on MSY's checkpoint and the trains and taxis waiting at ORD.

MSY to ORD · 838 mi · 2h 25m est.

MSY to ORD
838 miles
2h 25m nonstop (estimated)
4 airlines in our fare results

Photo: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

New Orleans to Chicago flight insights

Average flight time

~2h 25m (estimated)

MSY → ORD

Cheapest cached price

$156

Checking live fares…

Prices shown may not be current. Last checked: Oct 12, 2026.

Planning a trip from New Orleans to Chicago? The average flight time on this route is ~2h 25m (estimated). The lowest fare we recorded on this route recently was $156 (last checked Oct 12, 2026); today's live fare for your dates can differ.

New Orleans to Chicago covers a straight-line distance of about 838 miles. Based on that distance, a nonstop flight would take approximately ~2h 25m (estimated). Actual flight time varies by airline, aircraft and routing.

New Orleans to Chicago at a glance

MSY to ORD is about 838 miles in a straight line. The curved line is an illustration; the route your airline flies may differ.

Route Quick Facts

Quick facts for flights from New Orleans to Chicago on Eazair
Origin	New Orleans (MSY)
Destination	Chicago (ORD)
Average Flight Time	~2h 25m (estimated)
Current Lowest Fare	$156
Fares Last Checked	Oct 12, 2026
Distance	838 miles (MSY to ORD)
Time in Chicago	Same time as New Orleans
Airlines in our fare results	4

Local time in Chicago is the same as in New Orleans. New Orleans is on Central Time, Chicago on Central Time.

Flight deals from New Orleans to Chicago

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) is the starting point here, and Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) the destination. With Midway (MDW) left out, every result should end at O'Hare, so confirm the code before you choose. For Chicago (ORD), MSY's undated nonstop list shows American and United; schedules shift, so the stops on each result are the thing to read. United, American, Frontier and Delta have all turned up in EazAir's fare checks for this route.

Screening at MSY happens at a single consolidated checkpoint on Level 2. It opens at 3:30 a.m. and, MSY says, closes 30 minutes before the final scheduled departure of the day. If you ride the RTA 202 Airport Express from downtown, board it at Elk Place at Cleveland or at Union Passenger Terminal, Bus Bay 2. MSY points travelers to the MyTSA app for wait times.

On the Chicago side, CTA estimates 40 to 45 minutes on the Blue Line from O'Hare to downtown. Signs reading Trains to City guide you through the Basement Level tunnels to the station beneath the parking garage. Expect a higher fare than usual, because CTA charges more for rides starting at O'Hare than at its other stations. Cabs wait on the lower-level curb outside baggage claim at every terminal.

EazAir had stored only 2 fare checks for MSY to ORD, made between 28 Sep and 12 Oct 2026, each pricing a single adult's lowest one-way economy fare for a date 30 days ahead. The higher of the two results was less than one and a half times the lower. On American Basic Economy a carry-on and a personal item are included, and Delta says every passenger can bring one carry-on free. Search your own dates, and check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

Airports for New Orleans to Chicago flights

Departure · New Orleans

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY)

Central Time

Arrival · Chicago

O'Hare International (ORD)

Central Time

Other airports near Chicago: Chicago Midway International (MDW)

About Chicago

Areas to know in Chicago

Wicker Park
The Loop
Lincoln Park

Weather in Chicago

Summers are warm and humid, winters are cold with lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan. Spring and fall bring the mildest sightseeing weather.

New Orleans to Chicago: airport and fare guide

Checked on 17 Oct 2026 against the airport, airline and transit pages listed under Sources. Airports and airlines change these details, so confirm them with your airline before you fly.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International's nonstop list (no date shown) shows Chicago (ORD) served by American and United. Schedules change, so check the stops shown with each result.

Chicago Midway (MDW) is a separate airport, served by the CTA Orange Line. Check which Chicago airport each fare uses.

Leaving from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY)

RTA's 202 Airport Express runs daily between downtown and the airport. MSY lists downtown stops at Elk Place at Cleveland and at Union Passenger Terminal, Bus Bay 2.
Jefferson Transit's Veterans-Airport (E1) bus runs between City Park Avenue in New Orleans and the airport.
MSY's consolidated security checkpoint is on Level 2. It opens at 3:30 a.m. and closes 30 minutes before the last scheduled departure.
MSY has dedicated CLEAR lanes for standard and TSA PreCheck screening at the Level 2 checkpoint.
MSY points travelers to the MyTSA app for wait times.

Arriving at Chicago O'Hare International (ORD)

Delta says it uses Terminal 5 at O'Hare. For other airlines, check your boarding pass or airline app.

Delta says it moved its O'Hare flights to Terminal 5 in October 2022.
The Airport Transit System train runs 24 hours, every 3 to 5 minutes at busy times, and links Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5 with the Multi-Modal Facility for rental cars, Economy Parking Lot F, Pace buses and Metra.
From 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., a Terminal Transfer Bus runs about every 15 minutes inside security between Terminal 5 and Terminals 1 and 3, for connecting passengers with a same-day boarding pass.
At other times, passengers connecting between Terminal 5 and Terminals 1, 2 and 3 leave security, ride the Airport Transit System and are screened again.

Getting from O'Hare	Where to board	Where it goes
CTA Blue Line	Station on the lower level of the parking garage. From Terminals 1, 2 and 3, follow the Trains to City signs through the Basement Level tunnels. From Terminal 5, ride the free Airport Transit System to Terminal 2 first. Runs 24 hours. Rides starting at O'Hare cost more than a standard CTA fare.	Downtown Chicago in 40 to 45 minutes, according to CTA.
Rideshare	Upper level at Terminal 2 (orange poles 2A to 2G, with an indoor waiting area between vestibules 2A and 2D) and Terminal 3 (green poles 3G to 3K). O'Hare lists no Terminal 5 pickup, so check your app.	Wherever you booked.
Taxis	Stands on the lower-level curb outside baggage claim at each terminal.	Your destination.
Pace Routes 250 and 330	Multi-Modal Facility, bus bays 8 and 9. Ride the Airport Transit System from the terminals.	Route 250 to the Des Plaines Metra station and downtown Evanston. Route 330, on weekdays and Saturdays, to Archer Ave and Harlem Ave in Summit.
Metra North Central Service	O'Hare Transfer station, behind the Multi-Modal Facility at its northeast corner. Ride the Airport Transit System to the Multi-Modal Facility. Weekday trains. Buy tickets from the conductor.	Union Station in downtown Chicago, or north to Antioch.

What the lowest fares include

Fare	Carry-on	Checked bag	Seat	Changes
Delta Main Basic	Delta says every passenger can bring one carry-on and one personal item free.	Delta charges for checked bags on domestic flights unless you qualify for a waiver, such as Medallion status or an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express card.	Assigned after check-in. You may be able to buy a seat ahead of time for a fee.	Refunds are not allowed after the 24-hour risk-free cancellation window. Delta says a change or cancellation may be possible for a fee, with any value left as an eCredit.
American Basic Economy	Included, plus a personal item.	Not included, except for some AAdvantage status members and eligible cardmembers.	A free seat is assigned at check-in, or you can pay to choose one.	Generally not allowed. American describes a 24-hour window and some credit options on its Basic Economy page.
United Basic Economy	Not included on domestic flights. One personal item only, unless you are a MileagePlus Premier member, travel with one, or hold a qualifying MileagePlus card.	Not included; check United's bag fee calculator.	Assigned by United before boarding.	Changes may not be allowed. Refund if cancelled within 24 hours of booking, under United's 24-hour policy; after that, partial travel credit.
Frontier, without a bundle	Not included. One personal item only.	Not included. Prices vary by travel date and when you buy.	Costs extra, or a seat is assigned after check-in.	Not covered here. Check Frontier's rules before you book.

Based on the airlines' own pages, checked on 17 Oct 2026. Fees are left out because they change often. Check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

How EazAir measured fares on this route

EazAir's first 2 fare checks from New Orleans to Chicago ran from 28 Sep to 12 Oct 2026. For the return direction, Chicago to New Orleans, EazAir's first 9 checks ran from 14 Sep to 16 Oct 2026. Each check asked partner travel sites for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days after the check. Results can include connecting flights. The highest result was less than one and a half times the lowest. With only 2 checks, this cannot show a pattern. Search your own dates for current prices.

Sources

MSY: Nonstop flights (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
MSY: Public transportation (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
MSY: Security checkpoint (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
RTA: Route 202 Airport Express schedule (effective 20 Sep 2026, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Delta's new O'Hare home (11 Oct 2022, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: Airport Transit System and terminal transfers (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: ATS service update (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: Public transit (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: Taxis and rideshare (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
CTA: Airports (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
CTA: Fares (fare chart effective 20 Feb 2023, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Midway: Public transit (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Delta Main Basic (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Fares and discounts (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Carry-on baggage (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Bags (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
American Airlines: Basic Economy (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
United: Basic Economy FAQ (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Frontier: What is included in my fare (last modified 25 Mar 2026, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Frontier: Bag options (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Frontier: Bundles (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
EazAir fare checks for MSY to ORD, 28 Sep 2026 to 12 Oct 2026; ORD to MSY, 14 Sep 2026 to 16 Oct 2026

Frequently asked questions

When does security open at MSY?

MSY's consolidated checkpoint on Level 2 opens at 3:30 a.m. and closes 30 minutes before the last scheduled departure. MSY also has CLEAR lanes for standard and TSA PreCheck screening.

How long is the train ride from O'Hare to downtown Chicago?

CTA puts the Blue Line ride from O'Hare to downtown at 40 to 45 minutes, and the line runs 24 hours a day.

Where are taxis and rideshare pickups at O'Hare?

Taxi stands are on the lower-level curb outside baggage claim at each O'Hare terminal. Rideshare pickup is on the upper level at Terminals 2 and 3.

Can I bring a carry-on on the cheapest fares from New Orleans to Chicago?

American Basic Economy includes one, and Delta says every passenger can bring one carry-on free. United Basic Economy on domestic flights and Frontier without a bundle allow only a personal item.

Which Chicago airport does this page search?

O'Hare (ORD). Midway (MDW) is a separate Chicago airport on the CTA Orange Line, so check the code on each result.

How far is it from New Orleans to Chicago?

MSY and ORD are about 838 miles apart in a straight line. Flight times vary by airline, direction and routing, so check the scheduled time shown with each result.

Airline bag fees

Baggage allowances differ significantly between fare classes (Basic/Light vs. Standard/Flex) and can change over time. Always verify the exact allowance for your specific fare with the airline before you fly.

Checked bag fees from each airline's own website
Airline	Carry-on, basic economy	1st checked bag	2nd checked bag	Source
American Airlines	Included	$45	$55	aa.com, Sep 24, 2026
United Airlines	Not included	$40	$50	united.com, Sep 24, 2026
Delta Air Lines	Included	$45	$55	delta.com, Sep 24, 2026
Southwest Airlines	Included	$45	$55	southwest.com, Oct 27, 2026
JetBlue	Included	$45	$59	jetblue.com, Sep 24, 2026
Alaska Airlines	Included	$45	$55	alaskaair.com, Sep 24, 2026
Frontier Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	flyfrontier.com, Sep 24, 2026
Sun Country Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	suncountry.com, Sep 24, 2026

Domestic US fees per bag, each way, when paid online in advance. "Varies" means the airline prices bags by route and date.

Travel tips

Arrive early for domestic flights

TSA generally recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic departure, more at larger hub airports during peak travel periods.

Pack a mixed carry-on

Keep a change of clothes, chargers, and any essentials in your carry-on rather than only your checked bag, in case of a delay or a bag that doesn't arrive with you.

Screenshot your confirmation

Save a screenshot or PDF of your booking confirmation and boarding pass before you travel, in case you lose signal or battery at the airport.

Check in online when it opens

Most airlines open online check-in 24 hours before departure. Checking in early can help with seat selection and, on some airlines, boarding group assignment.