Chicago (ORD) to Santa Barbara (SBA) flights
An economy award from Chicago (ORD) to Santa Barbara (SBA) starts at 12,500 miles one way with Air Canada Aeroplan on United Airlines, plus taxes and fees from $33.60. Avianca LifeMiles charges the same. One airline flies nonstop from Chicago (ORD) to Santa Barbara (SBA): United Airlines. The two airports are 1,798 miles (2,894 km) apart. United Airlines is in Star Alliance. There are also 11 ways to fly it with one stop, through Las Vegas, Denver and Los Angeles and more.
How many miles ORD to SBA costs
Economy, one way, on the nonstop flights, from the Award Flight Pricer's award charts. Ranges run off-peak to peak; "from" is the floor of a dynamic price.
| Program | Economy | Taxes and fees |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada AeroplanOn United Airlines | 12,500 | $33.60 |
| Avianca LifeMilesOn United Airlines | 12,500 | $30.60 |
| ANA Mileage ClubOn United Airlines | 15,000 | $5.60 |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyerOn United Airlines | 15,000 | $5.60 |
| Turkish Airlines Miles&SmilesOn United Airlines | 15,000 | $5.60–45.60 |
| Thai Royal Orchid PlusOn United Airlines | 17,500 | $5.60 |
| Emirates SkywardsOn United Airlines | 18,000 | $5.60–355.60 |
| EVA Air Infinity MileageLandsOn United Airlines | 19,500 | $5.60 |
| TAP Miles&GoOn United Airlines | 30,000 | $50.40 |
Business and first class prices are in the Award Flight Pricer. Chart prices need award space on your date, so search it before you transfer points.
Compare every program in the Award Flight PricerAirlines flying nonstop from ORD to SBA
- United AirlinesStar Alliance · bookable with 13 programsWho books it
Book ORD to SBA with points
Loyalty programs that can book at least one of the nonstop airlines, from the Award Booking Guide.
- Air Canada AeroplanBooks United Airlines
- Air New Zealand AirpointsBooks United Airlines
- ANA Mileage ClubBooks United Airlines
- Avianca LifeMilesBooks United Airlines
- Emirates SkywardsBooks United Airlines
- EVA Air Infinity MileageLandsBooks United Airlines
- JetBlue TrueBlueBooks United Airlines
- Lufthansa Miles & MoreBooks United Airlines
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyerBooks United Airlines
- TAP Miles&GoBooks United Airlines
- Thai Royal Orchid PlusBooks United Airlines
- Turkish Airlines Miles&SmilesBooks United Airlines
- United MileagePlusBooks United Airlines
ORD to SBA with one stop
11 connections, most direct first. 2-stop routings and flight times are in Routes with Pro.
- Via Las Vegas (LAS)American Airlines, Frontier Airlines and 1 more, then Southwest Airlines
- Via Denver (DEN)United Airlines the whole way
- Via Los Angeles (LAX)United Airlines the whole way+1
- Via Salt Lake City (SLC)Delta Air Lines the whole way
- Via Phoenix (PHX)American Airlines the whole way
- Via San Diego (SAN)Alaska Airlines the whole way
- Via Sacramento (SMF)American Airlines and United Airlines, then Southwest Airlines
- Via San Francisco (SFO)United Airlines the whole way
- Via Dallas (DFW)American Airlines the whole way
- Via Portland (PDX)Alaska Airlines the whole way
- Via Seattle (SEA)Alaska Airlines the whole way+1
ORD to SBA: common questions
How many miles does ORD to SBA cost?
In economy it starts at 12,500 miles one way with Air Canada Aeroplan on United Airlines, plus taxes and fees from $33.60. Next cheapest: Avianca LifeMiles (12,500), ANA Mileage Club (15,000) and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (15,000). These are award chart prices from the Award Flight Pricer. Programs that price dynamically can cost more on busy dates, so check yours before you transfer points. Business and first class prices are in the pricer too.
Which airlines fly nonstop from ORD to SBA?
United Airlines (Star Alliance) flies nonstop from Chicago (ORD) to Santa Barbara (SBA).
How far is Chicago from Santa Barbara by plane?
Chicago (ORD) and Santa Barbara (SBA) are 1,798 miles (2,894 km) apart along the great circle, the shortest path a flight can take. Connections add distance on top.
Which points programs can book ORD to SBA award flights?
13 programs can book at least one of the nonstop airlines: Air Canada Aeroplan, Air New Zealand Airpoints, ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles, Emirates Skywards, EVA Air Infinity MileageLands, JetBlue TrueBlue, Lufthansa Miles & More and 5 more. Which flights each can book depends on its partners, so check the airline before you transfer points.
Where can I connect between Chicago and Santa Barbara?
The most direct connections are through Las Vegas (LAS), Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), Salt Lake City (SLC) and Phoenix (PHX). On 9 of them the same airline flies both flights, for example United Airlines through Denver.
More routes
Routes are scheduled nonstop flights. The route data is refreshed monthly; this list was last checked November 11, 2026. Seasonal routes and new launches can be missing or end early, so confirm with the airline before you book. Distances are great-circle, the shortest path between the two airports.