Are direct flights from Chicago to Knoxville always the best option?

Direct flights often offer convenience and save travel time, but they are not always the cheapest option. Flights with layovers can sometimes be more affordable, especially if you are flexible with your schedule. Consider your priorities for cost versus convenience when choosing.

Can flexible travel dates help on Chicago to Knoxville flights?

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can significantly impact flight prices. Flying during off-peak seasons or on weekdays, rather than weekends or holidays, often results in lower fares. Adjusting your departure or return by a few days may reveal better deals.

What extra costs should I check before booking Chicago to Knoxville flights?

Before booking, always check for potential extra costs such as baggage fees, seat selection charges, and in-flight services. Some airlines, especially budget carriers, may charge separately for these amenities. Also, consider any ground transportation costs from the airport to your final destination.

Flights From Chicago

To Knoxville

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Knoxville

Browse current best options from Chicago. Become a member to unlock all deals and get alerts when new deals appear.

Deals from

Chicago

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

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 Knoxville

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Chicago to Knoxville

2026-11-09 – 2026-11-20
CHI - Knoxville
65% AI deal score
$114
$86
Round trip
2026-11-13 – 2026-11-20
CHI - Knoxville
43% AI deal score
$124
$118
Round trip
2026-11-02 – 2026-11-20
CHI - Knoxville
44% AI deal score
$125
$118
Round trip
2026-10-30 – 2026-11-20
CHI - Knoxville
49% AI deal score
$163
$126
Round trip
2026-10-30 – 2026-11-06
CHI - Knoxville
71% AI deal score
$200
$130
Round trip
2026-11-02 – 2026-11-06
CHI - Knoxville
48% AI deal score
$170
$131
Round trip
2026-11-16 – 2026-11-20
CHI - Knoxville
42% AI deal score
$133
$134
Round trip
2026-11-09 – 2026-11-13
CHI - Knoxville
42% AI deal score
$139
$137
Round trip
2026-10-30 – 2026-11-13
CHI - Knoxville
45% AI deal score
$171
$150
Round trip
2026-11-02 – 2026-11-13
CHI - Knoxville
41% AI deal score
$133
$151
Round trip

Chicago to Knoxville: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to Knoxville

Most itineraries for flights from Chicago to Knoxville are connecting, with only 16.3% of recent fares being non-stop. For those itineraries that do connect, the typical journey involves 2 stopovers. This suggests that while direct options exist, travelers should generally expect to include at least one connection.

For travelers seeking cheap flights from Chicago to Knoxville, fares typically range from $335–$943, with a median price of $588. Right now, current fares are below the typical level, and only 1% of recent fares were classified as a good price. New deals show up several times a week, offering regular opportunities to find better prices.

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Knoxville is typically in January, with a median fare of just $175. Other more affordable months include November, where the median fare is $331, and October, with a median fare of $446. These months offer significantly lower prices compared to the overall median.

A typical journey from Chicago to Knoxville, including connections, takes approximately 57h 30m. While the non-stop flight time is 1h 46m, the prevalence of connecting flights means that most travelers will experience a considerably longer travel duration. This route covers a distance of 765 km, classifying it as a short-haul flight.

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Knoxville

Regular price: $96 - $288

Prices for flights from Chicago to Knoxville are currently within the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Chicago to Knoxville is between $96 and $288. The current lowest deal is $118 with Allegiant Air for travel from Nov 13-Nov 20.

now $118

Low $96

High $288

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Knoxville

The cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Knoxville is January, with a median price of $175. The most expensive month is September, with a median price of $923. Generally, prices are lower from January to November.

January

Cheapest

Flights from $175

September

Most Expensive

Flights from $923

Jan

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Direct flights from Chicago to Knoxville

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Knoxville

Mon, Nov 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - Knoxville

Chicago (MDW) - Knoxville (TYS)

Allegiant Air

$188

$135

One-way

Mon, Nov 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - Knoxville

Chicago (MDW) - Knoxville (TYS)

Allegiant Air

$135

$148

One-way

Mon, Nov 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - Knoxville

Chicago (MDW) - Knoxville (TYS)

Allegiant Air

$143

$164

One-way

Mon, Nov 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - Knoxville

Chicago (MDW) - Knoxville (TYS)

Allegiant Air

$141

$185

One-way

Mon, Nov 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - Knoxville

Chicago (MDW) - Knoxville (TYS)

Allegiant Air

$134

$185

One-way

Mon, Nov 2

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Knoxville

Chicago (ORD) - Knoxville (TYS)

Frontier Airlines

$380

$521

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Chicago to Knoxville

2 nights

Nov 2 - Nov 4

$350 → $223

36%

1 night

Nov 12 - Nov 13

$337 → $226

33%

8 nights

Nov 12 - Nov 20

$298 → $204

32%

1 night

Dec 13 - Dec 14

$344 → $256

26%

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to Knoxville

Chicago - Knoxville route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level.

Recent fares from Chicago to Knoxville are below the typical level for this route.

📅 Best time to fly

January offers the lowest median prices.

Historically, January has the lowest median price at $175, followed by November at $331.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights take 1h 46m.

Direct flights to Knoxville typically take 1 hour and 46 minutes, while connecting flights average 57h 30m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant.

Only 16.3% of flights are direct; connecting flights typically have 2 stopovers.

🏆 Airline highlight

Allegiant Air offers direct flights.

Allegiant Air has direct flights available on this route.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear regularly.

Deals for flights on this route appear regularly, so check often for good prices.

Chicago main airports to depart from

Chicago Midway International (MDW)

Cheapest

Chicago Midway International offers the cheapest flights to Knoxville, making it a budget-friendly option.

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

💸 Flights from ~$84

Chicago Rockford International (RFD)

Chicago Rockford International is an alternative departure airport for flights from the Chicago area to Knoxville.

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

💸 Flights from ~$255

O Hare International (ORD)

O Hare International is a major hub offering various flight options for your trip to Knoxville.

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

💸 Flights from ~$234

Knoxville main airports to arrive at

McGhee Tyson (TYS)

Cheapest

McGhee Tyson Airport is ideal for travelers flying from Chicago to Knoxville.

📍 ~18 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$74

Airports nearby Knoxville used as alternative

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)

Consider ATL for unparalleled direct flight options and potential cost savings, despite the longer drive and traffic.

📍 ~250 km from Knoxville (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$97

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Knoxville

Discover luxury on the budget with premium cabin class on flights from Chicago to Knoxville.

Elite

Best Elite deals to Knoxville

Exclusive daily First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy flight deals, refreshed every 24 hours.

From ORD

Elite

Nov 10

Knoxville, United States

40% AI deal score

$2,969

Aeroméxico, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Nov 04

Knoxville, United States

40% AI deal score

$2,993

Air Transat, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Jan 20

Knoxville, United States

40% AI deal score

$3,109

Aeroméxico, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Nov 06

Knoxville, United States

40% AI deal score

$3,176

Aeroméxico, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Nov 05

Knoxville, United States

40% AI deal score

$3,176

Aeroméxico, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Dec 01

Knoxville, United States

40% AI deal score

$3,275

Aeroméxico, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Dec 05

Knoxville, United States

40% AI deal score

$3,297

Aeroméxico, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Dec 13

Knoxville, United States

40% AI deal score

$3,311

Aeroméxico, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Dec 02

Knoxville, United States

40% AI deal score

$3,323

Aeroméxico, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Dec 04

Knoxville, United States

40% AI deal score

$3,362

Aeroméxico, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Dec 12

Knoxville, United States

40% AI deal score

$3,369

Aeroméxico, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Jan 19

Knoxville, United States

39% AI deal score

$3,105

Aeroméxico, +1

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Knoxville

To find more affordable flights, consider being flexible with your travel dates and times. Using flight comparison sites can help you compare options from various providers. Looking into different airlines, including budget carriers, may also reveal lower prices.

Booking flights in advance, often several weeks or months before your intended travel date, can sometimes result in better prices. However, prices can fluctuate, so it's a good idea to monitor fares over time. Mid-week bookings may also occasionally offer savings compared to weekend bookings.

Comparing nearby airports for both your origin and destination can sometimes uncover more economical flight options. While it may require additional ground transportation, the potential savings on airfare can be significant. Always factor in the total cost and travel time when considering this option.

Chicago to Knoxville: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to Knoxville

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Knoxville

Regular price: $96 - $288

Prices for flights from Chicago to Knoxville are currently within the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Chicago to Knoxville is between $96 and $288. The current lowest deal is $118 with Allegiant Air for travel from Nov 13-Nov 20.

now $118

Low $96

High $288

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Knoxville

January

Cheapest

Flights from $175

September

Most Expensive

Flights from $923

Jan

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Direct flights from Chicago to Knoxville

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Knoxville

Mon, Nov 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - Knoxville

Chicago (MDW) - Knoxville (TYS)

Allegiant Air

$188

$135

One-way

Mon, Nov 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - Knoxville

Chicago (MDW) - Knoxville (TYS)

Allegiant Air

$135

$148

One-way

Mon, Nov 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - Knoxville

Chicago (MDW) - Knoxville (TYS)

Allegiant Air

$143

$164

One-way

Mon, Nov 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - Knoxville

Chicago (MDW) - Knoxville (TYS)

Allegiant Air

$141

$185

One-way

Mon, Nov 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - Knoxville

Chicago (MDW) - Knoxville (TYS)

Allegiant Air

$134

$185

One-way

Mon, Nov 2

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Knoxville

Chicago (ORD) - Knoxville (TYS)

Frontier Airlines

$380

$521

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Chicago to Knoxville

2 nights

Nov 2 - Nov 4

$350 → $223

36%

1 night

Nov 12 - Nov 13

$337 → $226

33%

8 nights

Nov 12 - Nov 20

$298 → $204

32%

1 night

Dec 13 - Dec 14

$344 → $256

26%

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to Knoxville

Chicago - Knoxville route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level.

Recent fares from Chicago to Knoxville are below the typical level for this route.

📅 Best time to fly

January offers the lowest median prices.

Historically, January has the lowest median price at $175, followed by November at $331.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights take 1h 46m.

Direct flights to Knoxville typically take 1 hour and 46 minutes, while connecting flights average 57h 30m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant.

Only 16.3% of flights are direct; connecting flights typically have 2 stopovers.

🏆 Airline highlight

Allegiant Air offers direct flights.

Allegiant Air has direct flights available on this route.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear regularly.

Deals for flights on this route appear regularly, so check often for good prices.

Chicago main airports to depart from

Chicago Midway International (MDW)

Cheapest

Chicago Midway International offers the cheapest flights to Knoxville, making it a budget-friendly option.

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

💸 Flights from ~$84

Chicago Rockford International (RFD)

Chicago Rockford International is an alternative departure airport for flights from the Chicago area to Knoxville.

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

💸 Flights from ~$255

O Hare International (ORD)

O Hare International is a major hub offering various flight options for your trip to Knoxville.

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

💸 Flights from ~$234

Knoxville main airports to arrive at

McGhee Tyson (TYS)

Cheapest

McGhee Tyson Airport is ideal for travelers flying from Chicago to Knoxville.

📍 ~18 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$74

Airports nearby Knoxville used as alternative

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)

Consider ATL for unparalleled direct flight options and potential cost savings, despite the longer drive and traffic.

📍 ~250 km from Knoxville (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$97

Knoxville, United States

39% AI deal score

$3,105

Aeroméxico, +1

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Knoxville

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Knoxville

Today’s best flight deals from Chicago to Knoxville

Chicago to Knoxville: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to Knoxville

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Knoxville

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Knoxville

Direct flights from Chicago to Knoxville

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Knoxville

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Chicago to Knoxville

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to Knoxville

Chicago - Knoxville route insights

Recent fares are below the typical level.

January offers the lowest median prices.

Direct flights take 1h 46m.

Connecting flights are dominant.

Allegiant Air offers direct flights.

Deals appear regularly.

Chicago main airports to depart from

Knoxville main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Knoxville used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Knoxville

Best Elite deals to Knoxville

Nov 10

Nov 04

Jan 20

Nov 06

Nov 05

Dec 01

Dec 05

Dec 13

Dec 02

Dec 04

Dec 12

Jan 19

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Knoxville

How can I find cheap flights from Chicago to Knoxville?

When should I book flights from Chicago to Knoxville?

Should I compare nearby airports for flights from Chicago to Knoxville?

Are direct flights from Chicago to Knoxville always the best option?

Can flexible travel dates help on Chicago to Knoxville flights?

What extra costs should I check before booking Chicago to Knoxville flights?

Related routes

More routes from Chicago

Flights to Knoxville from other cities

Chicago to Knoxville: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to Knoxville

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Knoxville

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Knoxville

Direct flights from Chicago to Knoxville

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Knoxville

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Chicago to Knoxville

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to Knoxville

Chicago - Knoxville route insights

Recent fares are below the typical level.

January offers the lowest median prices.

Direct flights take 1h 46m.

Connecting flights are dominant.

Allegiant Air offers direct flights.

Deals appear regularly.

Chicago main airports to depart from

Knoxville main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Knoxville used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Knoxville

Best Elite deals to Knoxville

Nov 10

Nov 04

Jan 20

Nov 06

Nov 05

Dec 01

Dec 05

Dec 13

Dec 02

Dec 04

Dec 12

Jan 19

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Knoxville

How can I find cheap flights from Chicago to Knoxville?

When should I book flights from Chicago to Knoxville?

Should I compare nearby airports for flights from Chicago to Knoxville?