Route guide · 716 miles
Cheap Flights from Albany to Chicago
ALB → MDW · Nonstop 1h 57m · Live round-trip fares
Looking for cheap flights from Albany to Chicago? You're in the right place. Airfare Deal tracks live fares on this 716-mile route around the clock. As a rule of thumb, booking 2–4 weeks ahead lands the best prices — and a free fare alert means you never have to keep refreshing the page.
Live fares for ALB → MDW are updating. Use the search below for real-time prices.
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See live fares
Updated daily
Flight time
1h 57m
Nonstop, typical
Distance
716 mi
ALB → MDW
Book ahead
2–4 weeks
Best window, typically
Nonstop airlines
1
Southwest Airlines
Nonstop flights from Albany to Chicago
The fastest way between the two cities is the nonstop: about 1h 57m for the 716-mile run from ALB to MDW. Those flights are flown by Southwest Airlines. Prices behave best when you book 2–4 weeks out.
Booking insights: Albany → Chicago
- Distance: 716 miles · nonstop flight time: 1h 57m.
- Cheapest upcoming week in the live data starts around Oct 22, with fares from $294.
- Fares tend to bottom out when you book about 2–4 weeks ahead — earlier than that rarely helps, later usually hurts.
- If your dates flex by a day or two, shifting to a midweek departure is the easiest saving there is.
- A free fare alert beats daily checking: we watch this route and ping you when prices drop.
Cheapest month · Albany → Chicago
October 2026
Every date's recent round-trip fare, at a glance.
Fares from
$294
Cheapest: Fri, Oct 23 — $294
Get this fare →Recent fares found for specific dates in October 2026. Blank days had no recent fare in our data — ask our team and we'll check them for you.
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Flying from Albany to Chicago: what you need to know
The flight
The nonstop from ALB to MDW runs about 1h 57m over 716 miles. It's a comfortable mid-range flight: long enough that seat choice matters a little, short enough that paying up for extras rarely does.
Airlines on this route
Southwest Airlines flies this route nonstop. That matters more than it sounds: the cheapest fare on one carrier is rarely the same product as the cheapest on another. Checked-bag fees, free seat selection and change rules all differ, so compare the full trip cost before you pick a winner. See our airline guides for exactly what each carrier charges — then send an enquiry and we'll confirm the all-in price for your dates.
Leaving from Albany (ALB)
Plan to be at the airport two hours before a domestic departure — ninety minutes can work at smaller airports outside peak times, but security lines are the one variable you can't control. If you're checking a bag, add time rather than cutting it close. Our Albany airport guide covers terminals, parking and ground transport so you can plan the trip to the airport, not just the flight.
Arriving in Chicago (MDW)
Before you land, know how you're getting from the airport to where you're staying — it's the part of the trip people forget to plan. The Chicago airport guide lays out your ground options, from transit and shuttles to rideshares and rental cars. Flying back the other way? Check Chicago to Albany fares — prices on the return direction often move on a different rhythm.
When to book
For a trip of 716 miles, booking 2–4 weeks ahead typically lands you in the sweet spot. Leave it to the final two weeks and prices usually climb as the cheapest seats sell out. If your dates are flexible, midweek departures are where the lower fares hide on most domestic routes.
Good to know before you go
- Screenshot your fare before you enquire — prices move, and a saved fare helps our team match or beat it.
- Flexible dates? Search a few days either side — one day can change the fare a lot.
- Morning flights are delayed less often than evening ones — earlier departures have the best on-time record.
- Basic economy fares often exclude checked bags and seat selection. Price the whole trip, not the headline fare.
- Get to the airport two hours before departure; security, not the flight, is the part that runs late.
Albany to Chicago flight FAQs
How long is the flight from ALB to MDW?
Plan on about 1h 57m in the air for a nonstop from Albany to Chicago — the route runs roughly 716 miles. Connecting flights typically add 2–4 hours.
Are there nonstop flights from Albany to Chicago?
Southwest Airlines typically operate nonstop flights from ALB to MDW. Nonstops are usually cheapest when booked 2–4 weeks ahead of departure.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Albany to Chicago?
Travelers usually find the gentlest prices away from peak periods — think post-holiday January and the early-fall weeks. Midweek dates inside those windows are cheaper still.
How much are last minute flights from ALB to MDW?
Walking up to this route at the last minute is the expensive way to do it — prices inside 7 days of departure climb fast. The 2–4 weeks booking window is where the value sits.
What is a good round-trip deal from Albany to Chicago?
A good deal is anything at or below the recent fares shown above. Set a free Airfare Deal alert and we'll ping you the moment fares drop.
Which airlines fly from Albany to Chicago?
You'll mainly see Southwest Airlines on Albany to Chicago. Checking each against the live fares below is the surest way to find the lowest price for your dates.
How early should I get to Albany airport for this flight?
Plan on two hours before departure for a domestic flight — ninety minutes can work at smaller airports outside peak times. If you're checking a bag, earlier is better; the bag-drop line, not the flight, is what runs late.
Do the cheapest fares on this route include a checked bag?
Usually not. Basic economy fares on most airlines include a carry-on but charge extra for checked bags, and seat selection can cost more too. Add up the real total before comparing — a slightly higher regular fare sometimes works out cheaper. Our team confirms the full breakdown with you before you pay.
More cheap flights from Albany
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