CHI - CAE

$99 Find Cheap Flights from Chicago to Columbia

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Chicago to Columbia departing on 10/26. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Columbia

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Chicago to Columbia, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Chicago to Columbia, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Columbia (CHI-CAE)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Chicago to Columbia that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Chicago to Columbia

Thu, Dec 4 - Sun, Dec 7
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:41 am - 5:33 pmORD-CAE
7h 52m1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
1:38 pm - 11:42 pmCAE-ORD
11h 04m1 stop
$195Multiple Airlines
Find Deal
Fri, Oct 10 - Tue, Oct 14
United Airlines Logo
7:10 am - 10:21 amORD-CAE
2h 11mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
5:26 pm - 6:55 pmCAE-ORD
2h 29mnonstop
$209United Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Nov 15 - Sun, Nov 16
Delta Logo
11:05 am - 6:59 pmMDW-CAE
6h 54m1 stop
Delta Logo
5:37 am - 9:52 amCAE-MDW
5h 15m1 stop
$219Delta
Find Deal
Sat, Nov 15 - Mon, Nov 17
United Airlines Logo
10:35 am - 1:47 pmORD-CAE
2h 12mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
7:35 pm - 11:43 pmCAE-ORD
5h 08m1 stop
$219United Airlines
Find Deal
Fri, Oct 3 - Sun, Oct 5
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:49 pm - 10:36 amORD-CAE
12h 47m2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
2:59 pm - 11:45 pmCAE-ORD
9h 46m1 stop
$223Multiple Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Nov 8 - Wed, Nov 12
Delta Logo
6:00 am - 12:38 pmMDW-CAE
5h 38m1 stop
Delta Logo
11:01 am - 4:39 pmCAE-MDW
6h 38m1 stop
$229Delta
Find Deal
Fri, Oct 3 - Sun, Oct 5
United Airlines Logo
6:15 pm - 9:30 pmORD-CAE
2h 15mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
11:04 am - 12:28 pmCAE-ORD
2h 24mnonstop
$229United Airlines
Find Deal
Thu, Dec 4 - Sun, Dec 7
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:41 am - 5:33 pmORD-CAE
7h 52m1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
1:38 pm - 9:10 amCAE-ORD
20h 32m2 stops
$237Multiple Airlines
Find Deal
Fri, Oct 10 - Tue, Oct 14
American Airlines Logo
6:07 am - 2:15 pmORD-CAE
7h 08m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
6:37 am - 1:52 pmCAE-ORD
8h 15m1 stop
$258American Airlines
Find Deal
Fri, Nov 7 - Mon, Nov 10
American Airlines Logo
3:50 pm - 11:58 pmORD-CAE
7h 08m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
7:00 am - 1:11 pmCAE-ORD
7h 11m1 stop
$269American Airlines
Find Deal

Everything you should know

Our travelers' advice
AI-generated summary based on content written by travel experts
United's Economy Plus offers extra legroom benefits.
American Airlines' Main Cabin Extra includes early boarding.
Expert advice
Expert advice
Expert advice
Expert advice
Top airlines
United Airlines
Cheapest • from $209 (round-trip)
Delta
Best reviews • 7.9 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
Top routes
ORD-CAE
Cheapest
ORD-CAE
Most popular
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to book
2 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 2 weeks in advance save around 35% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
September
Cheapest • 32% price drop
November
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
Cheapest round-trip
$195
Overall average: $312
Multiple Airlines
Thu 12/4Sun 12/7
ORD - CAE • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$209
Typical prices: $279-443
United Airlines
Fri 10/10Tue 10/14
ORD - CAE • Non-stop
Start a new search
KAYAK searches 100s of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to Columbia!
Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Chicago to Columbia

 
Snippets provided in this section are AI-generated based on a summarization of KAYAK-commissioned articles. The articles are presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the articles are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Airlines
United Airlines

United's Economy Plus offers up to six inches more legroom than standard economy seats.


Purchase Priority Boarding to ensure overhead bin space, placing you in Zone 2.

American Airlines

Main Cabin Extra offers early boarding and complimentary alcoholic drinks for a small fee.


Download the American Airlines app for access to inflight entertainment on your device.

Our travel experts
Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on United Airlines

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or on the sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Read more
Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Expert on American Airlines

Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Harriet is an award-winning journalist who is happiest in an airport or an unusual museum. Her stories about airports, air travel, and the business of travel have appeared on NBC News, CNBC, USA TODAY, The Points Guy and other outlets. She is the creator of the StuckatTheAirport.com blog and the author of nine books. When not out on the road or exploring the latest airport amenities, she’s home in Seattle getting ready for the next adventure.

Read more
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Chicago to Columbia flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Chicago to Columbia to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

How much is a round-trip flight from Chicago to Columbia?

What is the cheapest Chicago to Columbia flight route?

Data is based on round-trip flight searches on KAYAK over the past month.

The cheapest return flight from Chicago to Columbia costs $209 on the route between Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport (ORD) and Columbia (CAE). It is also the most popular route.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Chicago to Columbia?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Chicago to Columbia clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

If you are looking for a flight deal from Chicago to Columbia, look for departures on Thursdays and avoid leaving on a Monday, as it's usually the priciest day. When flying back from Columbia, Saturday is the cheapest day to fly and Sunday is the most expensive.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Columbia?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Chicago to Columbia, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Chicago to Columbia is September, where tickets cost $259 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are March and May, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $545 and $509 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Chicago to Columbia?

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

Yes, flying with a layover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 1 stop layover the cheapest option at $298 on average.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Chicago to Columbia?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Chicago to Columbia, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from Chicago to Columbia, you should book around 2 weeks before departure, which saves you about 35% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 17 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonAugust
Cheapest flight$99
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 9% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 8% lower on average.
Flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Columbia

When to book flights from Chicago to Columbia

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Chicago to Columbia based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking flights from Chicago to Columbia

  • What is the cheapest flight from Chicago to Columbia?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Chicago to Columbia was $99 for a one-way ticket and $195 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Chicago and Columbia?

    No

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Chicago to Columbia?

    On your way to Columbia, you’ll fly out from one of these Chicago airports: Chicago Midway or Chicago O'Hare Intl. You’ll be landing at Columbia Metropolitan.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Chicago to Columbia?

    Only American Airlines offers inflight Wi-Fi service on the Chicago to Columbia flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Chicago to Columbia?

    The Canadair (Bombardier) Regional Jet CRJ-550 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Chicago to Columbia flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Chicago to Columbia?

    Star Alliance is the only airline alliance operating flights between Chicago and Columbia.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Chicago to Columbia?

    There are nonstop flights from Chicago to Columbia on a daily basis.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Chicago to Columbia, Delta or United Airlines?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Chicago to Columbia are Delta and United Airlines. With an average price for the route of $303 and an overall rating of 7.9, Delta is the most popular choice. United Airlines is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $425 and an overall rating of 7.4.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Chicago to Columbia?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Chicago to Columbia.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Chicago to Columbia?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Columbia from Chicago is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Chicago to Columbia?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Columbia with an airline and back to Chicago with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Chicago to Columbia?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Columbia from Chicago up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Chicago to Columbia

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $243 or less one-way and $239 or less round-trip.

Prefer to fly direct from Chicago to Columbia?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan.
Find which airlines fly direct from Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Chicago to Columbia Metropolitan

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Columbia Metropolitan to Chicago

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top 3 airlines serving from Chicago to Columbia

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Chicago to Columbia. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Chicago to Columbia? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.9
DeltaOverall score based on 7957 reviews
7.9Entertainment
7.9Comfort
8.5Crew
8.2Boarding
7.3Food
Airline reviews

The staff and the boarding procedure were all amazing . The one flight was not equipped with WIFI which now adays seems odd. All in all the experience was good

8.0 ExcellentAnonymous, Sep 2025GFK - MSP
Read more Delta reviews

The staff and the boarding procedure were all amazing . The one flight was not equipped with WIFI which now adays seems odd. All in all the experience was good

Perfect flight both ways. On time, courteous staff, plane comfortable and cool. Best domestic flights I’ve had in awhile.

Really low quality food especially for an international flight. The crew also was surprisingly unpleasant except couple of ladies. I know we were not in first class but that’s no reason to treat customers as less.

Flight delayed for two and half hours and then canceled altogether due to mechanical issues. No mechanic onsite to fix so had to send one from LAX.

Crew was good. The reservation got mixed up and they didn't have my TSA number. I am also a Silver Medallion and wasn't able to use Sky Priority.

Delta made it easy, comfortable and timely. The crew was fantastic.

This route with Delta always has delays or is cancelled. Aircrafts seem smaller and older. I fly Delta quite a bit - haven’t had issues with the international flights. But this route has always been the troublesome one

Three seats in first class were broken and while they were able to still acommodate us it was looking very touch and go and they had others they could not acommodate

Mechanic delay in addition to a 2 hour change in takeoff time was frustrating.

Delayed due to thunderstorms and no in-flight service due to rough weather — both of which are out of Delta’s control. Flight was good overall.

Once we got in the air the pilot made up some of the time of the delay. So that was really nice.

Excellent flight. Boarding was efficient and departure was on time. Smooth flight with on time arrival. Deplaning was also efficient.

It was delayed instead of departing at 9:20pm, we departed at 11pm… putting us in Columbus after 2am! It was awful. Had I known about the delay, I could have spent some time in the United Lounge… I was starving because I started my journey in Budapest… so I was exhausted and hungry. Plus I had to make new arrangements to be picked up at the airport in Columbus, instead of midnight it was 2:30 am after getting luggage and out of airport. Not feasible. I would have just stayed in Chicago for the night and gotten a morning flight.

It was great, I’m very grateful for the pilots and crew flight attendants for everything.

Evidently, my seat had the only broken TV. I couldn’t plug it in, get it to come on, or watch anything, and of course, no one could fix it while we were on the plane. The service was good and the boarding was quick

I was charged for my daughters bag when I am supposed to receive two free checked bags with my United Explorer card.

The schedule to Moline changed 5 times. The gate changed 6 times. That is a pathetic way to run an airline. No wonder that no one in our company flies on United Express to or from Moline. Changes happen most of the time. I learned my lesson on this trip…never again!

Flight was great. Efficient boarding. Short flight. Early arrival. Friendly flight crew. The entertainment system did not work well. Could not access it until the aircraft reached 10K feet or more. Lots of glitches.

A bit rush for transit. Food and entertainment are not available

Smooth boarding process. Early departure, smooth flight, early arrival. The entertainment package has very good recent movie options. The flight crew were friendly and professional.

3 hour weather delay followed by 1 hour (and counting) maintenance delay. UGH!

After we'd boarded , they canceled the flight. The crew didn't even know , we just all received text messages. Then after they deplaned us , AA was just like "too bad, go F your self, we sure ain't gonna help you"

After a two hour delay, my flight was CANCELLED! No pilot available. Such BS.

Amazing food, great staff, with one noticable detail missing ...but no seat entertainment in any of aircraft ...I am not a fan

I wish American Airlines would change the airline industry by loading the plane back to front instead of front to back. Planes would board so much more smoothly and quickly.

I have long legs, my foot was out in the aisle and when a flight attendant came walking by and I didn't notice, instead of saying "excuse me" or anything like that, she kicked my foot. Extremely rude

Excellent! The gate agents were kind enough to rebook me on an earlier flight saving me from a 6 hour layover. Even my luggage made it despite the fact that the connection was technically too narrow. The flight itself was very comfortable, roomy, and clean. Plenty of space for my carryon items with plugs to charge my phone. After a long international flight of 14 hours, this was an excellent way to end my travels!

Great experience. Flight boarded easily. Departed early. Smooth flight. Great arrival in DC--almost no taxing! Almost direct to gate from runway. Crew was terrific. Same cookies and beverages in main cabin. I did not use the entertainment system on this flight.

Most of the delay was due to weather which is not what was at issue here. One delay was due to a missing flashlight and in the end the flashlight was actually found on the plane. The entertainment system is very limited. Live TV options offer only a few channels that are not very appealing. Boarding and deplaning are always difficult. It just takes too much time to get on and off the plane. On the plus side, I missed my connecting flight, but was easily able to book a later flight from the app while enroute.

You were more on time than United. I'm so over united delays.

Everything you need to know for your flight from Chicago to Columbia

Information on your arrival and departure airports

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