Other Options for This Route
Chicago (ORD) to San Antonio (SAT) in October from $146
From $146
Chicago (ORD) to San Antonio (SAT) in February from $177
From $177
Chicago (ORD) to San Antonio (SAT) in April from $180
From $180
Best Flights starting from $282
from$282economy
Chicago (ORD)
Sat, May 2
Roundtrip
San Antonio (SAT)
Sat, May 9
from$321economy
Chicago (ORD)
Fri, May 1
Roundtrip
San Antonio (SAT)
Fri, May 8
Fields updated — click View Prices to search ↑
Other Options for This Route
Other Destinations
Chicago (ORD) to Philadelphia (PHL) in May from $32
From $32
Chicago (ORD) to Newark (EWR) in May from $65
From $65
Chicago (ORD) to New York (JFK) in May from $69
From $69
Chicago (ORD) to Fort Lauderdale (Any) in May from $72
From $72
Chicago (ORD) to New Orleans (MSY) in May from $76
From $76
Chicago (ORD) to Las Vegas (LAS) in May from $81
From $81
Flights from Other Cities
Denver (DEN) to San Antonio (SAT) in May from $61
From $61
Phoenix (Any) to San Antonio (SAT) in May from $74
From $74
Las Vegas (LAS) to San Antonio (SAT) in May from $111
From $111
Allentown (ABE) to San Antonio (SAT) in May from $150
From $150
Los Angeles (LAX) to San Antonio (SAT) in May from $190
From $190
Anchorage (ANC) to San Antonio (SAT) in May from $235
From $235
✈️ Flight Guide: Chicago (ORD) → San Antonio (SAT)
Complete travel information for your May journey
Departing from Chicago (ORD) FAQs
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is served by major carriers including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. For the cheapest economy fares, Southwest and Spirit often provide the lowest base fares on domestic routes, while American and United can offer competitive economy deals during sales and off-peak months. Always compare fares on airline sites and metasearch engines and book 6–8 weeks ahead for best economy prices.
For domestic economy departures from San Antonio International Airport (SAT), arrive at least 90 minutes before a non-peak flight and 2 hours before during holiday or peak travel periods. This gives you time for check-in, TSA security lines, and potential airline counters. If you need to check luggage or plan to travel during festivals or major events in San Antonio or nearby Austin and Houston, add an extra 30 minutes.
Yes, San Antonio International Airport (SAT) offers nonstop economy service to several major hubs including Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Houston (IAH), and Los Angeles (LAX), depending on the airline and season. Nonstop availability fluctuates by carrier and month — check the airline schedule for route frequency and look for nonstop filters on booking sites to find direct economy fares quickly.
From San Antonio International Airport (SAT), travelers can use rental cars, rideshare services (Uber/Lyft), taxis, shuttle buses, and regional bus services to reach nearby major cities such as Austin, Corpus Christi, Houston, and Dallas. Rental car counters are on-site, and many budget travelers prefer shuttles for longer connections — compare costs and travel time when booking economy flights with ground transit.
Yes, monthly deals often appear in January (New Year sales), May (spring deals), and November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday) for economy-class flights from San Antonio International Airport (SAT). Airlines release seat sales during these months and around major events in Texas. Sign up for fare alerts, follow airline newsletters, and check fare comparison sites to capture the best seasonal economy fares.
You can sometimes find cheap last-minute economy flights from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) in November, particularly mid-week or for off-peak destinations. However, holiday weeks (around Thanksgiving) usually see higher fares. Use flexible-date search tools, check budget carriers, and consider nearby airports like Austin-Bergstrom International to increase your chances of finding affordable last-minute fares.
Arriving at San Antonio (SAT) FAQs
Cheapest Economy Fare (ECON) refers to the lowest publicly available economy-class fare bucket typically offered by airlines with limited flexibility and fewer included amenities. Arrivals booked in the cheapest economy class often have tighter change and refund rules and may incur fees for seat selection or baggage. Always review fare rules prior to booking to ensure arrival logistics like baggage and transfers meet your needs.
When your ticket is a cheapest economy fare (ECON), plan ground transport ahead: pre-book airport shuttles, check rideshare pickup points, or reserve rental cars. Many airports have designated low-cost carrier pickup zones, and arriving late at night can affect availability—pre-booking ensures smoother connections to nearby major cities like New York, Los Angeles, or Dallas depending on your arrival airport.
Yes, November — especially around Thanksgiving — is a peak arrival period; cheapest economy seats may be scarce and airlines may restrict changes. Expect busier immigration and baggage claim areas and higher prices for last-minute arrivals. Book arrival windows earlier in the week and opt for flexible scheduling if possible to avoid delays.
You can earn frequent flyer miles on many cheapest economy fares, but accrual rates and status credits vary by airline and fare class; some ultra-low-cost fares may earn reduced or no miles. Check the airline's fare class earnings chart before booking and consider booking through partner networks if you want to maximize mileage accrual on economy arrival journeys.
Travelers often use cheapest economy fares to reach major hub cities and popular destinations including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Mexico City, and Dallas — these routes have high frequency and competitive pricing. For international arrivals, cheap economy seats are commonly used to access central business districts and nearby cities via budget ground transport.
On arrival with the cheapest economy fare, expect standard baggage handling and customs procedures; however, priority baggage is typically not included. Pack essentials in a carry-on for faster exit, pre-fill customs paperwork where possible, and anticipate longer waits during peak months. Consider purchasing priority baggage or expedited customs services if time-sensitive.
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Events & Festivals Impacting Flights at San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
Major events and festivals can drastically affect economy fares and arrival/departure logistics at San Antonio International Airport (SAT). Key events include Fiesta San Antonio (April) and holiday conventions in November–December. Plan early and use event-related keywords like 'Fiesta San Antonio flights SAT' or 'Thanksgiving flights SAT' to capture search traffic. For arrivals on cheapest economy fares, expect higher pickup/transfer demand and potential price surges during events.
Best Time to Fly from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) — Economy Fare Guide
The best time to fly cheaply from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) in economy is typically mid-January to mid-February and September to early November, when demand is lower. For summer travel, book 8–12 weeks ahead; for holiday travel, secure seats several months in advance. Use flexible-date searches and set fare alerts with location-based modifiers (e.g., 'cheap flights SAT to New York September') to catch optimal pricing windows.
Direct vs Connecting Flights from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) — Economy Comparison
Choosing between direct and connecting flights from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) depends on priorities: time versus cost. Direct flights are faster and reduce the risk of missed connections and baggage delays but are typically more expensive in cheapest economy buckets. Connecting itineraries often lower the base fare, especially when using alternative hubs like Dallas or Houston, but factor in layover time and potential additional baggage transfer risk. Use filters to compare total door-to-door travel time and all-in price (including checked bag fees) to make the best economy decision.
Airline Comparison for Economy Travelers — San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
Compare airlines by total economy price, baggage allowance, seat selection fees, and onboard amenities. For San Antonio International Airport (SAT), Southwest often offers free checked bags and a competitive economy base fare, while Spirit and Frontier have very low base fares but high ancillary fees. Legacy carriers like American, United, and Delta provide broader network connectivity and often include more predictable mileage accrual. Use comparison keywords like 'Southwest vs Spirit SAT economy' and LSI terms such as 'best budget airline from San Antonio' for SEO visibility.
Seasonal Travel Tips for Economy Fares — San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
Seasonal tips for economy travelers from San Antonio International Airport (SAT): travel mid-January to February for lower fares, avoid Thanksgiving and late-December unless booked months in advance, and leverage shoulder seasons (September–October) for the best value. Pack carry-on only for cheapest economy fares to avoid checked baggage fees, and use flexible-date searches with long-tail keywords such as 'cheap shoulder season flights SAT' to attract searchers looking for seasonal savings.
Flight Times and Schedules — San Antonio International Airport (SAT) Economy Guides
Flight times from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) to major domestic hubs typically range from 1 hour (Austin, Corpus Christi nearby) to 4–5 hours for west coast routes (Los Angeles) and 3–4 hours to northeast hubs (New York). Schedules vary by season, so check airline timetables for peak months like June–August and holiday spikes in November–December. Use filters for nonstop and earliest/cheapest departures when searching for economy seats.
How to Find Cheap Flights from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) — Economy Tips
Find cheap flights by targeting flexible dates, midweek departures, alternate nearby airports (Austin, Houston), and booking 6–8 weeks in advance for domestic routes from San Antonio International Airport (SAT). Use search modifiers like 'cheap economy flights SAT to LAX' and long-tail phrases such as 'lowest fare San Antonio to Los Angeles economy'. Consider budget carriers for base fares and factor in ancillaries like baggage fees when comparing final prices.