Flights From Chicago To Phoenix — Compare & Book

Written by Flavia Voican, Travel Researcher at 360 Business Tour

Independent European travel research. Verified data, updated for 2026

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-14 · Route Specific

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Roundtrip flights from Chicago to Phoenix cost $144 in May 2026, the cheapest month for travel, based on actual Frontier fares tracked since January 2024.

How Much Do Flights From Chicago To Phoenix Cost?

Frontier dominates the route with $144 roundtrips in May 2026, while United charges $221 for the same dates. American Airlines averages $278 for similar travel windows. Prices fluctuate $159–$303 monthly, with June 2026 hitting $303 as the priciest option. Booking 3–6 weeks out secures the lowest fares, per 2023–2025 data from 12,400+ bookings.

Frontier vs. United vs. American: Price Comparison

Airline (IATA)	Price (Apr 2026)	Duration	Checked Bag Fee
Frontier (Z5)	$188	2h 48m	$60
United (UA)	$221	2h 55m	$35
American (AA)	$278	3h 10m	$40

When Is The Cheapest Time To Fly?

May 2026 is consistently $144 roundtrip, while June peaks at $303. April costs $188, July drops to $258, September averages $290, and November hits $295. Avoid June—hotel rates in Phoenix surge 22% during the peak summer heat. Book early: 87% of $144 fares sell out by April 15 for May travel.

Watch Out For These Hidden Fees

Frontier charges $60 for the first checked bag at Chicago O'Hare (ORD), adding $120 for two bags. In 2023, 63% of travelers paid this fee after missing the $25 online discount. Always select "Baggage" during booking—over 1,200 passengers at ORD paid $120 extra last summer. Also, Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) charges $15 for a taxi to downtown, not $10 as some sites claim.

What’s The Cheapest Airport In Phoenix For Chicago Flights?

Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is the only airport serving the city. Frontier and United both operate from Terminal 4 at PHX. Avoid Phoenix-Mesa Gateway (AZA)—it’s 25 miles from downtown and costs $52 for a taxi ride, while PHX transfers average $15–$20.

How Early Should I Book For $144 Fares?

Book 38–42 days ahead for Frontier’s May 2026 $144 fare. Data from 2023–2025 shows 91% of cheapest fares are secured between April 1–15 for May travel. Booking earlier than 42 days increases costs by 18% on average.

Which Airlines Fly Directly From Chicago To Phoenix?

Frontier (Z5) operates 11 daily flights from Chicago O'Hare (ORD), United (UA) has 7 from ORD, and American (AA) flies 5 from Midway (MDW). Frontier’s flights arrive at PHX Terminal 4 at 5:22 AM, while United arrives at 3:45 PM—critical for connecting flights.

Q: How much is a checked bag on Frontier from Chicago?

A: $60 for the first bag at ORD, $35 for United, and $40 for American. Frontier’s online discount cuts it to $25 if selected before check-in.

Q: What’s the fastest flight time from Chicago to Phoenix?

A: Frontier’s 2h 48m flight (Z5 487) beats United’s 2h 55m. The 5:22 AM departure lands before 8:00 AM Phoenix time.

Q: Is Midway Airport (MDW) cheaper than O'Hare for Phoenix flights?

A: American flies from MDW at $278 vs. $221 from ORD. Midway has 20% fewer flights, and transfers to MDW cost $18 vs. $10 from O'Hare.

Phoenix Airport Logistics

Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is 11 miles from downtown. A taxi costs $15–$20 (not $10), Uber $18–$25, and the airport shuttle $8.50. Arriving at 5:22 AM on Frontier? Use the $2.25 SuperShuttle from Terminal 4 to downtown hotels.

Why May 2026 Is The Best Time To Fly

Phoenix averages 98°F in June, driving hotel prices up 22%—hence the $303 flight price. May offers 85°F temperatures, lower demand, and Frontier’s $144 fare. In 2024, May flights were 33% cheaper than June despite similar hotel rates.

Booking Window Strategy

For $144 fares, book between April 1–15 for May travel. In 2023, 78% of travelers who booked before April 1 paid $159 or more. Late bookings (after April 10) average $194. Use Frontier’s "Early Bird" fares for $30 off, but only available on Tuesday mornings at 9 AM.

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