CHI - FAI

$302 Find Cheap Flights from Chicago to Fairbanks - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$569
Typical prices: $487-$888
American Airlines
Thu 1/18Fri 1/19
ORD - FAI • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way
$287
Typical prices: $302-$482
American Airlines
Sat 3/3
ORD - FAI • 1 stop
Nonstop flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between Chicago and Fairbanks. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
Insights
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When to book
12 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 12 weeks in advance save around 58% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
January
Cheapest • 27% price drop
February
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Anchorage (ANC)
Cheapest • Avg $586 (round-trip)
Minneapolis St Paul (MSP)
Shortest trip • 9h 23m (one-way)
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Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Fairbanks!

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Fairbanks (CHI-FAI)

 

Cheap flights from Chicago to Fairbanks with top airlines, updated regularly. Compare round-trip, one-way, direct and last-minute deals.

Mon, Jan 18 - Tue, Jan 19
American Airlines Logo
5:19 pm - 1:35 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
11h 16m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
American Airlines Logo
12:15 pm - 6:00 amFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
14h 45m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$569American Airlines
Thu, Jan 14 - Wed, Jan 20
American Airlines Logo
6:33 am - 3:01 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
11h 28m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
American Airlines Logo
8:00 am - 9:05 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
10h 05m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$574American Airlines
Tue, Jan 12 - Mon, Jan 18
American Airlines Logo
6:33 am - 9:54 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
18h 21m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
American Airlines Logo
3:59 pm - 12:19 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
17h 20m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$574American Airlines
Thu, Jan 14 - Mon, Jan 18
American Airlines Logo
6:33 am - 3:01 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
11h 28m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
American Airlines Logo
8:00 am - 6:00 amFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
19h 00m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$574American Airlines
Tue, Dec 22 - Fri, Jan 1
Alaska Airlines Logo
6:57 pm - 1:48 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
9h 51m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:03 am - 5:40 amFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
19h 37m2 stops Anchorage Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$590Alaska Airlines
Sat, Jan 16 - Sat, Jan 16
Alaska Airlines Logo
8:00 am - 3:01 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
10h 01m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Alaska Airlines Logo
2:37 am - 5:59 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
12h 22m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$599Alaska Airlines
Fri, Jan 15 - Sat, Jan 16
Alaska Airlines Logo
3:19 pm - 1:35 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
13h 16m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Alaska Airlines Logo
8:00 am - 11:59 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
12h 59m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$599Alaska Airlines
Sat, Jan 16 - Tue, Jan 19
Delta Logo
7:00 am - 12:15 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
20h 15m2 stops Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Delta Logo
1:30 am - 1:31 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
9h 01m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$610Delta
Thu, Jan 14 - Sun, Jan 17
Delta Logo
7:30 am - 12:15 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
19h 45m2 stops Salt Lake City Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Delta Logo
1:30 am - 1:31 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
9h 01m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$610Delta
Sat, Jan 16 - Tue, Jan 19
Delta Logo
9:30 am - 12:15 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
17h 45m2 stops Minneapolis St Paul Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Delta Logo
1:30 am - 8:37 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
16h 07m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
$615Delta

Price, demand and travel trends for Chicago to Fairbanks flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

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

Round-trip flights from Chicago to Fairbanks typically range from $487 to $888. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $569, on American Airlines.

What is the cheapest Chicago to Fairbanks flight route?

There's little price difference between Chicago to Fairbanks routes. They average around $608 round-trip, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Chicago to Fairbanks?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Chicago to Fairbanks. It’s 22% cheaper than the average day, while Thursday is the most expensive, with prices 41% higher.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Fairbanks?

•January and April are the cheapest months to fly from Chicago to Fairbanks at $441 round-trip.
•November ($927) and March ($887) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 110% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Chicago to Fairbanks the cheapest?

Flights from Chicago to Fairbanks are cheapest 12 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 58% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

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Key details for Chicago to Fairbanks flights

Low season

May

Cheapest flight

$287
Beat the crowds with an average 44% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 77% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to Fairbanks

When to book flights from Chicago to Fairbanks

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Chicago to Fairbanks based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Chicago to Fairbanks flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Chicago to Fairbanks?

    Three cabin classes are available on flights from Chicago to Fairbanks:

    • Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

  • How long is a flight from Chicago to Fairbanks?

    A nonstop flight from Chicago to Fairbanks takes 00m, covering 2,790 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Chicago to Fairbanks?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Chicago to Fairbanks flight?

    Round-trip flights from Chicago to Fairbanks range from $487 to $888, with an average of $608 over the past 12 months. Anything below $487 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Chicago to Fairbanks flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 77% above the $608 route average. Book 12 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Chicago to Fairbanks?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $586 round-trip via Anchorage (ANC), compared to $811 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Chicago to Fairbanks?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $40–$80 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Have flight prices from Chicago to Fairbanks changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $569 to $2,373. That means the highest observed fare was about 4x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Chicago to Fairbanks looking right now?

    One-way fares from Chicago to Fairbanks are currently in line with typical prices for this route. Average one-way fares are about $386.

  • What car rental options are available at Fairbanks Airport (FAI)?

    Fairbanks Airport (FAI) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $24 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Budget
    • Avis
    • Alamo
    • NextCar
    • Enterprise Rent-A-Car

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Chicago to Fairbanks?

    Flights from Chicago to Fairbanks may depart from several airports in Chicago area, including Chicago Midway (MDW), Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) and Chicago Greater Rockford (RFD). Flights usually arrive at Fairbanks (FAI).

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Chicago to Fairbanks pass through?

    One-stop flights from Chicago to Fairbanks most commonly connect through:

    • Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA) - 95% of one-stop connections
    • Anchorage (ANC) - 3% of one-stop connections
    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 1% of one-stop connections
    • Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) - 1% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Chicago to Fairbanks?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 45% on flights from Chicago to Fairbanks. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $477 round-trip on average, while Thursday is the most expensive at $859, a difference of $382.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Chicago to Fairbanks?

    Flying via Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 9h 23m, compared with 9h 46m via Denver Intl (DEN) and 10h 46m via Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA).

  • What is the time difference between Chicago and Fairbanks?

    Fairbanks is 3 hours behind Chicago (Alaska Time vs Central Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Chicago to Fairbanks flights?

    Among airlines operating Chicago to Fairbanks flights:

    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Chicago to Fairbanks flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

Your guide to booking Chicago to Fairbanks flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure and avoid flying on Thursday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $477, about $382 less than Thursday fares (44% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 12 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 58% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Chicago to Fairbanks trip for January. Fares historically average $441 round-trip in that month - typically $486 less than the most expensive month, which is November (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Anchorage Airport (ANC) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $586 round-trip on this route - about $224 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Fairbanks Airport.

    • Pike's Waterfront Lodge
    • La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fairbanks Airport
    • Golden North Inn

More options for your flight from Chicago to Fairbanks

Complete your trip to Fairbanks with a hotel stay or car rental

Car rentals in Fairbanks
Hotels in Fairbanks
Vacations in Fairbanks