{
  "response": {
    "Key": "CHI-CMH",
    "orig": {
      "code": "CHI",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Chicago",
      "fullCity": "Chicago, Illinois",
      "airport": "Dupage County"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "CMH",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Columbus",
      "fullCity": "Columbus, Ohio",
      "airport": "John Glenn Intl Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Chicago to Columbus?",
        "answer": "The flight from Chicago to Columbus is about 280 miles. Typical nonstop flight time is 1 hour 24 minutes, with the return leg taking 1 hour 29 minutes — the eastbound flight is a few minutes longer.",
        "methodology": "Flight times and distances come from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time across all carriers on the route, computed the same way in both directions so the difference reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in method. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two airports, so the actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Chicago to Columbus?",
        "answer": "Yes, there are plentiful nonstop flights from Chicago to Columbus. Southwest flies from Midway while American and United (including their regional partners) serve O'Hare — together they operate over 470 weekly flights, every day of the week. The flight takes about 80–90 minutes.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours. Carrier service, flight times and distances for this route come from our flight-schedule database, which draws on published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data, and observed operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We report the days of the week and the departure times each carrier operates. The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time, given both per carrier and across all carriers on the route; where a schedule does not publish an elapsed time, it is derived from the scheduled departure and arrival times converted to UTC. Outbound and return times are computed by the same method, so the difference between them is directly comparable and reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in derivation. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two specific airports named, so an actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer. Where shown, on-time departure and arrival rates and cancellation rates come from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Airline On-Time Performance dataset, which covers U.S. domestic routes only; where a typical fare is shown, it comes from the U.S. DOT Airline Origin and Destination Survey (DB1B), a quarterly 10% sample of tickets sold. Red-eye flights are identified from scheduled local departure and arrival times in our flight-schedule database — built from published airline timetables and official schedule data, including U.S. Department of Transportation records for domestic routes — flagging services that depart late at night and arrive the following morning; for connecting itineraries the red-eye is based on the timing of the overnight long-haul leg. Aircraft types are taken from the equipment each operating carrier schedules on this route, drawn from published airline timetables and airline equipment schedules in our flight-schedule database. They describe typical scheduled aircraft and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute equipment swaps.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines",
          "flight_schedule",
          "redeye_flights",
          "route_aircraft"
        ]
      },
      "q3": {
        "question": "What are the ground transportation options in Columbus?",
        "answer": "Taxis, ride-shares, buses, and rental cars are all available at John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Ride-share services like Uber and Lyft pick up on the ground transportation level and are the most popular, while a taxi to downtown costs around $25. The COTA AirConnect bus runs every 30 minutes to the Convention Center and downtown for $2.75 (about 25 minutes), and line 7 serves additional city stops for $2.00. Rental car desks are on the ground floor of the parking garage, and private bus operators offer charter options.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.airportsdata.net/airport-CMH/",
            "title": "Columbus airport (CMH)",
            "time_published": "2025-11-14T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Glenn_Columbus_International_Airport?oldid=751470363",
            "title": "John Glenn Columbus International Airport - Wikipedia",
            "time_published": "2016-11-25T22:19:25Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airportsdata.net/airport-CMH-transportation/",
            "title": "Transfer to/from - Columbus airport (CMH)",
            "time_published": "2020-03-26T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CMH",
            "title": "CMH",
            "time_published": "2025-02-22T13:51:45Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Airport",
            "title": "Columbus Airport",
            "time_published": "2024-10-23T19:10:27Z"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Columbus?",
        "answer": "Average fares from Chicago to Columbus bottom out around $281 in late January, making it the single cheapest stretch to fly. The cheapest months overall are February at $292, January at $294, and September at $319, while the most expensive period is late December, when average fares climb to roughly $368.",
        "methodology": "Seasonal fares come from Priceline's own air booking-summary archive, analysed in-house and refreshed monthly. For each day of the year we take a representative round-trip fare, a blend of the 25th-percentile and average ticket price over the route's bookings, and smooth the series into a seasonal curve; the half-month low and high and the monthly figures quoted here are averages of that curve. Thin and international routes borrow their seasonal shape from the nearest busy routes, with the price level anchored to the route's own bookings.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "seasonal_prices"
        ]
      },
      "q5": {
        "question": "How far in advance should I book tickets from Chicago to Columbus?",
        "answer": "For flights from Chicago to Columbus, the sweet spot for booking is roughly 4 to 7 weeks before departure, when fares average about $240. The absolute cheapest single-day price appears around 35 days out at $235, while buying at the last minute can cost over $400. During summer and holiday peaks, booking even earlier in that window or slightly beyond is wise, since the cheapest fares sell out faster.",
        "methodology": "Booking-window guidance comes from the same monthly in-house analysis of Priceline's own air booking-summary archive. We aggregate the route's bookings by how many days before departure they were made, from about 180 days out to the day of travel, smooth the curve, and highlight the stretch of lead times with the lowest average fare. Thin and international routes borrow the curve shape from the nearest busy routes, anchored to the route's own price level. It reflects current fares and is refreshed monthly.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "booking_timing"
        ]
      },
      "q6": {
        "question": "Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Chicago to Columbus?",
        "answer": "Yes, overnight red‑eye flights are available from Chicago to Columbus. American, United, and Republic Airways (operating as American Eagle) depart from O'Hare, while Southwest departs from Midway, with typical departure windows around 9:05 PM to 10:15 PM. These flights are short hops — most land around 11:30 PM to midnight local time, arriving the same night, with the latest Southwest departure from Midway at 10:15 PM getting in just before 1:00 AM.",
        "methodology": "Red-eye flights are identified from scheduled local departure and arrival times in our flight-schedule database — built from published airline timetables and official schedule data, including U.S. Department of Transportation records for domestic routes — flagging services that depart late at night and arrive the following morning; for connecting itineraries the red-eye is based on the timing of the overnight long-haul leg.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "redeye_flights"
        ]
      },
      "q7": {
        "question": "Which airlines usually operate this route from Chicago to Columbus?",
        "answer": "Nonstop flights from Chicago to Columbus are operated by Southwest from Midway and by American and United from O'Hare. Southwest runs about 110 weekly flights, American (including its regional partners Envoy, PSA, and Republic) about 191 weekly flights, and United (including its regional partners Republic and SkyWest) about 230 weekly flights. Median fares are not available in the schedule data.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies come from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a typical fare is shown for a carrier, it is the median of the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q8": {
        "question": "If I need a connection, what are common layover cities between Chicago and Columbus?",
        "answer": "Chicago to Columbus is a short-haul domestic route typically served non‑stop. Connections are uncommon, but if needed, common layover cities include Detroit and Minneapolis, which offer efficient transfers and keep total travel time competitive."
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time arrivals on this route from Chicago to Columbus?",
        "answer": "On the Chicago to Columbus route, Republic Airways (operating for American and United) has the best on‑time arrival record at 82.6%, while American mainline is the least reliable at 53.1% with a 2.4% cancellation rate. Southwest from Midway arrives on time 78.2% of the time with just 0.2% cancellations, and United mainline and Envoy (for American) fall in between at 74.6% and 73.0%.",
        "methodology": "On-time arrival and cancellation rates come from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Airline On-Time Performance dataset, which covers U.S. domestic routes only; a flight counts as on time when it arrives within 15 minutes of schedule. Carriers are ranked by arrival on-time rate on this route, and the carrier list itself comes from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI).",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to Columbus?",
        "answer": "May, June, September, and October offer pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists than summer."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Chicago to Columbus?",
        "answer": "For this domestic flight, bring a Real ID-compliant driver's license or passport, ensure it matches your ticket, and carry a payment method for baggage and any required vaccination or health documents."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in Columbus?",
        "answer": "Columbus has one primary commercial airport, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, located about 6 miles east of downtown."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to Dupage County from the city center?",
        "answer": "To reach Chicago O'Hare International Airport from downtown Chicago, the CTA Blue Line 'L' train provides direct, economical service right to the airport terminals, making it the fastest and most popular option. Rideshare and taxi services offer door-to-door convenience at a higher cost, while regional shuttle buses serve the suburbs and surrounding areas. Driving is also possible with on-site parking options including a main garage and economy lots, though traffic can be unpredictable.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://flychicago.com/ohare/tofrom/pages/default.aspx",
            "title": "Getting To and From O'Hare International Airport | Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)",
            "favicon": "https://flychicago.com/_catalogs/masterpage/favicon.ico"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/map",
            "title": "Map | Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)",
            "time_published": "2026-05-27T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_in_Chicago",
            "title": "Transportation in Chicago",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-05-15T02:56:07Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation%20in%20Chicago",
            "title": "Transportation in Chicago",
            "time_published": "2026-04-13T06:59:09Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/6111",
            "title": "Order  3330.39 - Chicago/o'hare Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Staffing PChicago/o'hare Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Staffing Plan (Cancelled)",
            "time_published": "2026-04-10T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q14": {
        "question": "Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at Columbus airport?",
        "answer": "John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) does not have on-site hotels, capsule hotels, or sleeping pods inside the terminal. The closest hotel is the Columbus Airport Marriott, located one mile away with a complimentary shuttle. Other nearby hotels, such as the Aloft Columbus Westerville, also offer shuttle service.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/columbus-airport-guide.htm",
            "title": "Columbus Airport Guide (CMH) - Sleeping in Airports",
            "time_published": "2026-02-11T20:39:11Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airportsdata.net/airport-CMH/",
            "title": "Columbus airport (CMH)",
            "time_published": "2025-11-14T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John%20Glenn%20Columbus%20International%20Airport",
            "title": "John Glenn Columbus International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-05-01T08:17:28Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/cmham-columbus-airport-marriott/overview/?toDate=1/28/12&groupCode=ofuofua&fromDate=1/25/overview/",
            "title": "CMH Airport Hotel | Columbus Airport Marriott",
            "time_published": "2024-10-11T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/cmhaw-aloft-columbus-westerville/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0",
            "title": "Aloft Columbus Westerville - Hotel Near John Glenn Int'l Airport",
            "time_published": "2025-02-19T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/basics/a-guide-to-john-glenn-columbus-international-airport",
            "title": "A Guide to John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) | Chase",
            "time_published": "2025-11-04T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q15": {
        "question": "Are there currency exchange offices, prayer rooms and Wi‑Fi at John Glenn Intl Airport?",
        "answer": "John Glenn Columbus International Airport offers free Wi‑Fi throughout the terminal. A meditation room is available for prayer or quiet reflection, though specific terminal locations aren't detailed. Currency exchange offices are not mentioned among the listed amenities.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.airportsdata.net/airport-CMH/",
            "title": "Columbus airport (CMH)",
            "time_published": "2025-11-14T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John%20Glenn%20Columbus%20International%20Airport",
            "title": "John Glenn Columbus International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-05-01T08:17:28Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Glenn_Columbus_International_Airport?oldid=751470363",
            "title": "John Glenn Columbus International Airport - Wikipedia",
            "time_published": "2016-11-25T22:19:25Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airportsdata.net/airport-CMH-transportation/",
            "title": "Transfer to/from - Columbus airport (CMH)",
            "time_published": "2020-03-26T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Glenn_Airport",
            "title": "John Glenn Columbus International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2003-07-17T00:08:52Z"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Chicago to Columbus?",
        "answer": "The most common aircraft on nonstop flights from Chicago to Columbus are the Embraer 175, operated by American and United, and the Boeing 737-800, flown by Southwest and United. The Canadair Regional Jet 700, Embraer 170, Boeing 737 MAX 8, Boeing 737-900, and Bombardier CRJ-550 also appear on the route, though less frequently. The exact aircraft can vary by day and airline, and Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment are widely available across these types.",
        "methodology": "Aircraft types are taken from the equipment each operating carrier schedules on this route, drawn from published airline timetables and airline equipment schedules in our flight-schedule database. They describe typical scheduled aircraft and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute equipment swaps.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_aircraft"
        ]
      },
      "q18": {
        "question": "Which airline alliances serve flights from Chicago to Columbus?",
        "answer": "Nonstop flights from Chicago to Columbus are operated by Southwest (no alliance), and by American and United (both Oneworld and Star Alliance respectively, with some regional flights operated by Republic and SkyWest). No SkyTeam carriers serve this route nonstop, though connecting options may exist via Delta hubs.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q20": {
        "question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Chicago?",
        "answer": "At Chicago O'Hare, departing travelers can access several airline-branded lounges. United offers a Polaris Lounge in Terminal 1 (Gate C18) for international first and business class passengers, plus multiple United Club locations in Terminals 1 and 2 accessible with membership, eligible status, or a day pass. American Airlines has an Admirals Club in Terminal 3 (Gates G8 and L2A) and a Flagship Lounge (Gate H6/K6) for premium cabin and elite passengers. Delta operates a Sky Club in Terminal 5 (Gate M13), available to members, premium cabin travelers, and those with select credit cards. Terminal 5 also houses the Swissport Lounge (Priority Pass, day pass available) and the Wingtips Lounge, which serves multiple Star Alliance and partner airlines. Most lounges offer complimentary drinks, Wi-Fi, and workspaces, with the Polaris and Flagship lounges providing elevated dining and relaxation areas.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/ServicesAmenities/services/Pages/lounges.aspx",
            "title": "Airline Lounges | Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)",
            "time_published": "2026-05-29T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.delta.com/us/en/airports/united-states/chicago-sky-club-airport-map",
            "title": "Chicago O'Hare (ORD) Airport Map & Lounges | Delta Air Lines",
            "time_published": "2022-11-18T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://my.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/ohare-international/ord10-swissport-lounge",
            "title": "Swissport Lounge ORD AIRPORT Terminal 5 O'Hare International | Priority Pass",
            "time_published": "2024-11-05T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-ca/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/ORD",
            "title": "American Express Lounges at O'Hare International Airport | Amex CA",
            "favicon": "https://www.americanexpress.com/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "http://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/ORD/Swissport-Lounge-Terminal-5-Concourse-M-5mTKilCqDl/",
            "title": "Swissport Lounge at O'Hare International Airport | Amex US",
            "favicon": "https://www.americanexpress.com/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q21": {
        "question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Chicago to Columbus?",
        "answer": "Baggage policies vary by airline and fare class. For this domestic route, Basic Economy tickets often restrict carry‑ons to a personal item and charge for checked bags, while standard economy typically includes a carry‑on and may charge for checked luggage."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Chicago to Columbus?",
        "answer": "Flights from Chicago to Columbus are short domestic hops, so you will typically find only Economy and sometimes Economy Plus with extra legroom; flat-bed Business and Premium Economy are not offered."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies differ by airline and fare; flexible and premium tickets usually allow same‑day changes or standby, while Basic Economy generally does not."
      }
    }
  }
}