✈️ Flight Guide: Chicago (ORD) → Las Vegas (LAS)

December events that drive travel between Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) include Las Vegas New Year's Eve celebrations on the Strip, major concerts and residency shows, and athlete and rodeo events like the National Finals Rodeo when scheduled. Chicago hosts holiday markets like the Christkindlmarket, seasonal theater, and New Year's gatherings which can increase outbound travel to Las Vegas. These events often push up flight prices and hotel rates—book flights and event tickets as early as possible and consider traveling outside peak event dates to save money and avoid crowds.

The best time to fly ORD to LAS in December for lower fares and fewer crowds is early December on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and midweek red-eye flights. Avoid peak travel days immediately before Christmas and the days around New Year's Eve when prices and crowds spike. For a balance of convenience and price, consider departing early in the morning or late at night to reduce the chance of weather-related cascading delays at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Book hotels and show tickets in Las Vegas in advance if your dates overlap major events.

Nonstop flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) minimize travel time and reduce the risk of missed connections—ideal in December when winter weather can cascade. Connecting flights can be cheaper and offer more schedule options but increase the chance of delays or missed connections, especially if routing through hubs that experience snow or ice. When choosing connecting flights in December, allow generous layover buffers (at least 90–120 minutes) and prefer connections through airports with strong on-time performance. If flexibility and price are key, connecting may be acceptable; for reliability and speed, book nonstop ORD–LAS flights.

United Airlines offers multiple daily nonstop flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) with extensive loyalty benefits for MileagePlus members and robust schedule coverage in December. American Airlines and Delta also provide nonstop options and connecting flights, while low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier can offer cheaper basic-economy fares if you travel light and accept fees for bags and seat selection. Compare total trip cost including baggage and seat fees, and consider loyalty status and schedule reliability—United typically runs the most nonstop frequencies from ORD, which can be a crucial advantage during holiday weather disruptions. Book higher-reliability nonstop itineraries for critical holiday travel and use fare comparison tools to evaluate overall value.

Pack layers—Chicago departures from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) require warm coats and boots, while Las Vegas arrivals at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) often need lighter layers for daytime. Allow extra time for deicing and winter operations at ORD, enroll in TSA PreCheck for faster security, and check flight status frequently in December. For holiday travel, bring printed and digital copies of boarding passes and confirmations, prepare for heavier airport crowds, and secure flexible fares when possible. Consider travel insurance for critical holiday travel dates and prebook airport transfers in Las Vegas to avoid long waits on event nights.

Nonstop flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) generally last about 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours. Airlines operate multiple daily flights, with early-morning departures, afternoon peaks, and some late-night/red-eye services; in December, carriers often add extra frequencies for holiday demand. Remember Las Vegas is in Pacific Time and Chicago is in Central Time—clocks move back three hours, so a mid-afternoon departure from ORD can land in LAS in the early afternoon local time. For the most accurate schedules, check airline timetables and set alerts for schedule changes during December.

To score cheap ORD to LAS flights in December, search early (6–12 weeks ahead) and be flexible with departure/return dates; early December weekdays typically offer the lowest fares. Use fare comparison tools and set price alerts for Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) routes, monitor flash sales from major carriers, and compare nearby airports like Chicago Midway for lower-cost options. Consider bargain carriers and basic-economy fares if you can travel light, and pick red-eye flights to lock lower prices while still getting to Las Vegas early. Book refundable or flexible fares if traveling around peak holiday dates to avoid change fees.