What percentage of Chicago to New Orleans flights are direct?

Across the trailing quarter, approximately 12.6% of flights from Chicago to New Orleans were direct. The majority of flights on this route involve at least one stop. For those flights that include connections, the median number of stopovers was 2. Travelers prioritizing direct flights should be aware of this historical distribution.

What's the flight time from Chicago to New Orleans?

The median direct flight time from Chicago to New Orleans is 2 hours and 25 minutes, covering a distance of 1349 kilometers. For flights with one stop, the median travel time is significantly longer, typically around 8 hours and 52 minutes. This difference highlights the convenience of direct routes compared to those with connections. Travelers should factor in these durations when planning their journey.

Should I set a price alert for Chicago to New Orleans flights?

Historically, deals for flights from Chicago to New Orleans are frequent. This indicates that prices on this route tend to fluctuate, and opportunities for savings arise regularly. Setting a price alert can help travelers stay informed about these changes. Over the trailing 30 days, this route has consistently shown frequent deal activity, making price alerts a useful tool for monitoring fares.

Flights From Chicago

To New Orleans

Cheap Flights from Chicago to New Orleans

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Deals from

Chicago

RatePunk searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to New Orleans

Prices updated 7 days ago

483 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Oct 26, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Chicago to New Orleans

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Chicago to New Orleans

2026-11-18 – 2026-11-24
CHI - New Orleans
44% AI deal score
$234
$226
Round trip
2026-11-25 – 2026-11-27
CHI - New Orleans
45% AI deal score
$248
$239
Round trip
2026-11-21 – 2026-11-22
CHI - New Orleans
44% AI deal score
$252
$249
Round trip
2026-11-21 – 2026-11-30
CHI - New Orleans
40% AI deal score
$202
$258
Round trip
2026-11-14 – 2026-11-17
CHI - New Orleans
44% AI deal score
$268
$260
Round trip
2026-11-23 – 2026-11-30
CHI - New Orleans
41% AI deal score
$233
$273
Round trip
2026-11-18 – 2026-11-22
CHI - New Orleans
42% AI deal score
$259
$277
Round trip
2026-11-11 – 2026-11-14
CHI - New Orleans
43% AI deal score
$277
$278
Round trip
2026-11-10 – 2026-11-14
CHI - New Orleans
44% AI deal score
$283
$278
Round trip
2026-11-27 – 2026-11-30
CHI - New Orleans
40% AI deal score
$248
$288
Round trip

Chicago to New Orleans: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to New Orleans

For travelers looking for cheap flights from Chicago to New Orleans, prices typically range from $331–$726, with a median fare of $480. Right now, current fares are above the typical level for this route. Only about 6% of recent fares were classified as a good price, indicating that finding a low fare may require some flexibility.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Chicago to New Orleans? The data indicates that May is the most affordable month to fly, with a median fare of $123. Other budget-friendly options include March and February, both with a median fare of $136. New deals appear almost daily, so setting up a price alert can help you track fare changes.

Most itineraries for this route connect at least once, with only 12.6% of recent fares being direct flights from Chicago to New Orleans. For connecting itineraries, the typical number of stopovers is 2.

How long is the flight from Chicago to New Orleans? A typical journey, including connections, takes about 2h 25m. Non-stop flights also have a median duration of 2h 25m, while connecting flights can extend to a median of 26h 17m.

How much is a round trip from Chicago to New Orleans

Regular price: $190 - $366

Prices for flights from Chicago to New Orleans are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Chicago to New Orleans is $190 to $366. The current lowest deal is $134 with Frontier Airlines, for travel from Dec 1-Dec 4.

now $134

Low $190

High $366

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to New Orleans

The cheapest month to fly from Chicago to New Orleans is May, with a median price of $123. The most expensive month is July, with a median price of $789. Prices are generally lower from February to September.

May

Cheapest

Flights from $123

July

Most Expensive

Flights from $789

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Chicago to New Orleans

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to New Orleans

Tue, Oct 27

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - New Orleans

Chicago (ORD) - New Orleans (MSY)

United Airlines

$214

$460

One-way

Wed, Oct 28

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - New Orleans

Chicago (MDW) - New Orleans (MSY)

Frontier Airlines

$616

$337

One-way

Wed, Oct 28

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - New Orleans

Chicago (MDW) - New Orleans (MSY)

Frontier Airlines

$619

$342

One-way

Thu, Oct 29

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - New Orleans

Chicago (ORD) - New Orleans (MSY)

Frontier Airlines

$352

$337

One-way

Mon, Nov 2

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - New Orleans

Chicago (ORD) - New Orleans (MSY)

Frontier Airlines

$247

$275

One-way

Mon, Nov 9

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - New Orleans

Chicago (ORD) - New Orleans (MSY)

Frontier Airlines

$210

$273

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Chicago to New Orleans

3 nights

Dec 1 - Dec 4

$248 → $134

46%

3 nights

Feb 19 - Feb 22

$263 → $179

32%

2 nights

Dec 9 - Dec 11

$250 → $172

31%

4 nights

Dec 11 - Dec 15

$247 → $170

31%

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to New Orleans

Chicago - New Orleans route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Recent fares from Chicago to New Orleans are above the typical level, with a median of $480.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in May for the best prices

Historically, May offers the lowest median prices at $123, followed by March and February.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights take 2h 25m

The median flight time for direct routes is 2 hours and 25 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

Connecting flights make up the majority of options, with a median of 2 stopovers.

🏆 Airline highlight

Frontier Airlines offers a deal at $134

Frontier Airlines has a deal for $134 from Dec 1-Dec 4, 2026, via skyscanner.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are frequent on this route

Deals for flights from Chicago to New Orleans are frequent, appearing often within 30 days.

Chicago main airports to depart from

Chicago Midway International (MDW)

Cheapest

Chicago Midway International offers flights to New Orleans, providing a convenient departure option for your trip.

📍 ~14 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$177

Chicago Rockford International (RFD)

Chicago Rockford International offers flights to New Orleans, providing an alternative departure option for your trip.

📍 ~126 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$284

O Hare International (ORD)

O Hare International offers flights to New Orleans, providing a major departure option for your trip.

📍 ~25 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$185

New Orleans main airports to arrive at

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY)

Cheapest

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is a convenient arrival choice for New Orleans.

📍 ~19 km from New Orleans (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$147

Airports nearby New Orleans used as alternative

Baton Rouge Metropolitan (BTR)

Baton Rouge Metropolitan is a primary alternative for the Louisiana region, offering full cabin class availability.

📍 ~115 km from New Orleans (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$335

Business & First Class Flight Deals to New Orleans

44% AI deal score

$2,854

Porter Airlines, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Dec 16

New Orleans, United States

44% AI deal score

$2,893

Porter Airlines, +1

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to New Orleans

Historically, the optimal booking window for flights from Chicago to New Orleans is typically 7-13 days before departure. Across the trailing quarter, flights booked within this period had an average price of $479. Booking too early, such as 60+ days out, saw average prices around $545. Conversely, last-minute bookings made 0-6 days before departure were significantly higher, averaging $956.

Across the trailing 90 days, a good price for a flight from Chicago to New Orleans is considered to be $331 or less. The median price for this route historically stands at $480. Prices can vary, with 75% of deals observed being $726 or less. Travelers aiming for the best value should target prices at or below the $331 threshold.

Historically, the cheapest months to fly from Chicago to New Orleans include May, March, and February. In May, the median price was $123, while both March and February saw median prices of $136. These prices are considerably lower than the annual median price of $480 for this route. Travelers looking for the best value should consider planning their trips during these months.

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Flights to New Orleans from other cities

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Chicago to New Orleans: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to New Orleans

How much is a round trip from Chicago to New Orleans

Regular price: $190 - $366

Prices for flights from Chicago to New Orleans are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Chicago to New Orleans is $190 to $366. The current lowest deal is $134 with Frontier Airlines, for travel from Dec 1-Dec 4.

now $134

Low $190

High $366

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to New Orleans

May

Cheapest

Flights from $123

July

Most Expensive

Flights from $789

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Chicago to New Orleans

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to New Orleans

Tue, Oct 27

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - New Orleans

Chicago (ORD) - New Orleans (MSY)

United Airlines

$214

$460

One-way

Wed, Oct 28

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - New Orleans

Chicago (MDW) - New Orleans (MSY)

Frontier Airlines

$616

$337

One-way

Wed, Oct 28

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - New Orleans

Chicago (MDW) - New Orleans (MSY)

Frontier Airlines

$619

$342

One-way

Thu, Oct 29

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - New Orleans

Chicago (ORD) - New Orleans (MSY)

Frontier Airlines

$352

$337

One-way

Mon, Nov 2

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - New Orleans

Chicago (ORD) - New Orleans (MSY)

Frontier Airlines

$247

$275

One-way

Mon, Nov 9

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - New Orleans

Chicago (ORD) - New Orleans (MSY)

Frontier Airlines

$210

$273

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Chicago to New Orleans

3 nights

Dec 1 - Dec 4

$248 → $134

46%

3 nights

Feb 19 - Feb 22

$263 → $179

32%

2 nights

Dec 9 - Dec 11

$250 → $172

31%

4 nights

Dec 11 - Dec 15

$247 → $170

31%

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to New Orleans