Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is a gem, mostly because you can get through security in about six minutes on a Tuesday morning. But when you’re looking at a flight from BHM to Chicago, things get a little more complicated than just picking the cheapest fare on a search engine. You’re dealing with two massive hubs in the Windy City—O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW)—and choosing the wrong one can easily tack two hours onto your commute once you land.
It’s about 584 miles as the crow flies. Most pilots will tell you the actual air time is roughly an hour and forty-five minutes, though the airlines always pad the schedule to two hours and fifteen minutes just to keep their "on-time" stats looking pretty.
The Airline Tug-of-War at BHM
Southwest and American are the big players here. If you’re a loyalist to United, you’ll find plenty of options too, primarily because Chicago O'Hare is one of United’s largest global fortresses.
Southwest Airlines is the king of Midway. They run several non-stop flights a day. The beauty of Midway is its size; it’s smaller, tighter, and arguably easier to navigate if you're just trying to get to the Loop quickly. Plus, the two free checked bags policy is hard to beat if you're heading north for a winter trip and need to pack heavy coats that take up half a suitcase.
American and United, on the other hand, will dump you into O'Hare. O'Hare is a city unto itself. If your final destination is the northern suburbs like Evanston or Schaumburg, O'Hare is your best bet. If you’re going to the South Side or the heart of the Blue Line, MDW might save your sanity.
Don't ignore the regional jets. You’ll often see the Embraer 170 or 175 servicing this route. They are actually quite comfortable—no middle seats. Honestly, I’d take a window seat on a regional jet over a middle seat on a 737 any day of the week.
Timing the Birmingham Market
Airfare from Birmingham to Chicago is notoriously volatile. Because BHM isn't a massive international hub, we don't always get those $49 ultra-low-cost carrier deals you see in Atlanta. You're usually looking at a baseline of $180 to $320 for a round trip.
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Seasonality hits hard.
Chicago in January is a frozen tundra. Flights are cheap, but the risk of a "ground stop" due to lake-effect snow is real. If your flight is delayed leaving Birmingham, it’s almost never because of the weather in Alabama; it’s because the plane is stuck in a de-icing line at ORD.
Why Tuesday is Still Your Best Friend
The old "book on a Tuesday" myth is mostly dead, but flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday still saves you a fortune. Business travelers dominate the BHM to ORD route on Monday mornings and Thursday afternoons. They are the ones paying $600 for a last-minute seat, and they drive the prices up for everyone else. If you can shift your departure to a mid-week slot, you'll likely see the "Wanna Get Away" fares on Southwest open up significantly.
Logistics: The BHM Experience vs. The Chicago Arrival
Birmingham’s airport is easy. You park in the deck, you walk across the bridge, and you're at your gate. It’s spoiled us.
When you land in Chicago, the culture shock is real. If you land at O'Hare Terminal 3 (American) or Terminal 1 (United), be prepared to walk. You might walk a mile before you even see a baggage claim sign.
Ground Transportation Secrets:
- The "L" Train: Both airports are connected to the CTA. From O'Hare, take the Blue Line. From Midway, take the Orange Line. It’s $5 from the airport and beats a $60 Uber every single time, especially during rush hour on the Kennedy Expressway.
- Rideshare: Chicago has specific zones for Uber and Lyft. At O'Hare, it’s usually in the "Loading Zone" on the upper level of the garage. Don't stand at the curb expecting them to find you; they aren't allowed there.
- Go Airport Express: If you have three suitcases and can't deal with the train, these shared vans are a middle-ground price point.
Hidden Complexities of the Route
People forget about the time zone change. Birmingham is Central Time. Chicago is Central Time. This is a rare win for travelers—no jet lag, no math required when looking at your watch.
However, the "empty leg" phenomenon happens here a lot. Sometimes, an airline will fly a massive plane from BHM to Chicago just to get the aircraft back to the hub for an international flight later that night. I once caught a wide-body 78-787 Dreamliner on a domestic hop because of a scheduling fluke. It’s rare, but keep an eye on the "Aircraft Type" when booking. If you see a "Widebody" listed for a two-hour flight, jump on it. The legroom is legendary.
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Common Pitfalls to Avoid
The biggest mistake is booking a "Basic Economy" ticket on United or American without reading the fine print. On these routes, Basic Economy often means you cannot bring a carry-on bag for the overhead bin. You are restricted to a personal item that fits under the seat. If you show up at BHM with a rolling suitcase on a Basic Economy fare, they will gate-check it and charge you a premium fee. Just pay the extra $30 for the standard economy; it’s cheaper than the penalty.
Another thing: Connection vs. Direct.
Delta will almost always try to send you through Atlanta (ATL). While Delta is a great airline, adding a layover in Atlanta for a flight that should only take 90 minutes is a massive waste of time. Unless the price difference is over $100, stick to the non-stops provided by Southwest, American, or United.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
- Check both airports: Use a search engine that allows you to select "CHI" (all airports) rather than just ORD. Often, Midway is significantly cheaper, but people forget to look.
- Download the CTA app: Ventra is the app for Chicago transit. You can add a virtual card to your phone's wallet before you even leave Birmingham. You’ll breeze past the ticket kiosks at the airport station while everyone else is struggling with the touchscreens.
- Monitor the tail number: Use an app like FlightAware. Enter your flight number about four hours before departure. You can see where your plane is coming from. If the plane coming to Birmingham from Chicago is delayed, you’ll know your departure is pushed back long before the gate agent makes an announcement.
- The "Pre-Check" Advantage: Even though BHM is small, TSA Pre-Check is a godsend in Chicago for the return trip. The standard lines at O'Hare can be soul-crushing on a Sunday evening.
- Book 21 days out: For the BHM-ORD corridor, the 21-day mark is the "cliff" where prices usually spike as the airline shifts from leisure pricing to corporate pricing.