CHI - FAI

$284 Find Cheap Flights from Chicago to Fairbanks - Compare and Save

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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$446
Typical prices: $488-$892
Delta
Wed 11/7Sat 11/10
ORD - FAI • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$686
Typical prices: $754-$1,131
United Airlines
Mon 9/17Sat 9/22
ORD - FAI • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
There are currently no direct flights between Chicago and Fairbanks. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 8 weeks in advance save around 59% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 29% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $586 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 9h 23m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Fairbanks!
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Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Fairbanks (CHI-FAI)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Chicago to Fairbanks

Mon, Oct 5 - Sun, Oct 11
Delta Logo
7:00 am - 1:32 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
9h 32m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Delta Logo
1:50 am - 1:30 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
8h 40m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$446Delta
Sat, Nov 7 - Tue, Nov 10
Delta Logo
12:00 pm - 12:45 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
15h 45m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Delta Logo
1:47 am - 4:47 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
12h 00m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$446Delta
Sat, Nov 7 - Tue, Nov 10
Delta Logo
5:48 pm - 12:45 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
9h 57m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Delta Logo
1:47 am - 9:33 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
16h 46m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl Minneapolis St Paul
$452Delta
Wed, Jan 13 - Tue, Jan 19
American Airlines Logo
6:45 am - 3:01 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
11h 16m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
American Airlines Logo
8:00 am - 9:00 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
10h 00m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$514American Airlines
Thu, Dec 31 - Sun, Jan 3
American Airlines Logo
10:00 am - 1:44 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
18h 44m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
American Airlines Logo
12:19 am - 4:57 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
13h 38m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$514American Airlines
Wed, Dec 23 - Wed, Dec 30
American Airlines Logo
6:31 pm - 2:48 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
11h 17m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
American Airlines Logo
5:45 am - 8:13 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
11h 28m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$514American Airlines
Tue, Feb 9 - Sat, Feb 13
Alaska Airlines Logo
3:19 pm - 1:35 amORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
13h 16m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Alaska Airlines Logo
2:18 am - 2:12 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
8h 54m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$541Alaska Airlines
Fri, Jan 8 - Tue, Jan 12
Alaska Airlines Logo
8:00 am - 9:54 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
16h 54m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Alaska Airlines Logo
12:15 pm - 11:59 pmFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
8h 44m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$544Alaska Airlines
Thu, Sep 17 - Tue, Sep 22
United Airlines Logo
3:35 pm - 7:16 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
6h 41mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
8:22 pm - 5:20 amFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
5h 58mnonstop
$686United Airlines
Tue, Sep 22 - Tue, Sep 22
United Airlines Logo
3:35 pm - 7:16 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-FAI Fairbanks
6h 41mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
8:22 pm - 5:20 amFAI  Fairbanks-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
5h 58mnonstop
$881United Airlines
Booking Insights

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 from Chicago to Fairbanks with more confidence.

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

Round-trip flights from Chicago to Fairbanks start at $446. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $488 to $892. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $446 on Delta.

What is the cheapest Chicago to Fairbanks flight route?

There's little price difference between Chicago to Fairbanks routes. They average around $624 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?

Friday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Chicago to Fairbanks, it is 21% cheaper than the average day. Thursday is the most expensive day with flight prices 37% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is 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.
  • March ($887) and November ($785) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 101% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Chicago to Fairbanks the cheapest?

Flights from Chicago to Fairbanks are cheapest 8 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 59% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Chicago to Fairbanks flights

Low season

May

Cheapest flight

$257
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 7% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 29% lower on average.
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 route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • 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.

  • What airlines are available from Chicago to Fairbanks?

    Only United Airlines operates flights between Chicago and Fairbanks.

  • 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 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 travelers should check the fare details before booking.

  • 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 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 $904 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.

  • 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) - 96% of one-stop connections
    • Anchorage (ANC) - 3% of one-stop connections
    • Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) - 1% of one-stop connections

    Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

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

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 43% on the Chicago to Fairbanks route. Friday is the cheapest departure day at $496 round-trip on average, while Thursday is the most expensive at $859, a difference of $363. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Chicago to Fairbanks?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Chicago to Fairbanks:

    • Earliest: departs at 3:35 pm and lands at 10:16 pm
    • Latest: departs at 3:35 pm and lands at 10:16 pm.

    The flight takes about 6h 41m.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 82% above the route average of $624. Book 8 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Chicago to Fairbanks?

    A nonstop flight from Chicago to Fairbanks takes 6h 41m, 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.

  • 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 $446 to $3,436. That means the highest observed fare was about 8x 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 $378.

  • 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 10h 41m via Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA) and 14h 01m via Anchorage (ANC).

  • 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.

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

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

    Round-trip flights from Chicago to Fairbanks range from $488 to $892, with an average of $624 over the past 12 months. Anything below $488 counts as a good deal.

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 can be flexible, aim for a Friday departure instead of Thursday. On this route, Friday flights average $496 - about $363 less than Thursday (42% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 8 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 59% 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 $446 less than the most expensive month, which is March (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 $318 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
    - Sophie Station Suites

More options for your flight from Chicago to Fairbanks

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