{
  "response": {
    "Key": "CHI-STL",
    "orig": {
      "code": "CHI",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Chicago",
      "fullCity": "Chicago, Illinois",
      "airport": "Dupage County"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "STL",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "St. Louis",
      "fullCity": "St. Louis, Missouri",
      "airport": "Lambert Intl Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Chicago to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "The flight from Chicago to St. Louis is about 250 miles and typically takes 1 hour 15 minutes. In the opposite direction, the flight is about 5 minutes shorter, at 1 hour 10 minutes.",
        "methodology": "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.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Chicago to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Yes, there are frequent non‑stop flights from Chicago to St. Louis every day. Southwest runs up to 150 weekly flights from Midway, and American and United together offer over 280 weekly departures from O’Hare (many operated by regional partners SkyWest, Republic, and Envoy). Flight time is about 70–90 minutes, with the first departures around 5:25 AM and the last red‑eyes pushing back after 10 PM.",
        "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 St. Louis?",
        "answer": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) offers several ground transportation options. The MetroLink light rail provides direct, economical service to downtown and is the most-used public transit option. Taxis, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, and numerous rental car agencies are also readily available. The MetroLink is typically the fastest and most affordable way to reach the city center, avoiding traffic on I-70.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Lambert_International_Airport",
            "title": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-15T19:57:22Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St.%20Louis%20Airport",
            "title": "St. Louis Airport",
            "time_published": "2022-05-18T03:16:52Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/kstl/parking",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) Parking Rates and Map",
            "time_published": "2026-04-20T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Chicago to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "The cheapest months to fly from Chicago to St. Louis are August and September, with average fares around $336, while May is also relatively affordable at $347. The most expensive months are March, June, and April, with average fares ranging from $414 to $464.",
        "methodology": "This 'good deal' estimate shows a representative best price for each departure date across roughly a 12-month window (about 3 months back and 9 months forward). It is built from real flight prices found by Priceline users searching this route, accumulated into a price history for each departure date. Rather than weighting all of that history equally, we apply exponential time decay so recent prices dominate — a price seen yesterday counts almost in full, one from about a month ago roughly a third, and prices from a few months back very little — giving a figure that tracks today's market instead of a stale long-run average. Clear price outliers are removed before any calculation, departure dates with no observations are filled in from nearby dates, and the resulting curve is lightly smoothed so it reads as a clean seasonal trend rather than day-to-day noise.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "seasonal_prices"
        ]
      },
      "q5": {
        "question": "How far in advance should I book tickets from Chicago to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "For the best fare on Chicago to St. Louis, book 3 to 6 weeks ahead, when prices average around $219. The absolute cheapest fares appear about 130 days out, but booking too far in advance or at the last minute can push prices over $400.",
        "methodology": "This booking-window guidance is built from the same real flight prices found by Priceline users searching this route, re-grouped by how many days before departure each price was seen (from the departure day out to about 180 days ahead) across the route's price history. At each booking lead time we report the 25th-percentile price — the cheaper end of what travelers were quoted, rather than the rock-bottom minimum (which can be a fluke) or the average (which is pulled up by expensive last-minute fares). The buy-or-wait advice then applies a risk premium that grows as departure approaches, since seat availability shrinks and prices become less predictable; using that adjusted curve we flag windows where waiting is likely to save a meaningful amount (at least $20 or 5%) versus windows where booking now is the better call. Isolated single-day recommendations are filtered out, so the advice only reflects a window that holds for several days in a row.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "booking_timing"
        ]
      },
      "q6": {
        "question": "Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Chicago to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Yes, overnight red-eye flights are available from Chicago to St. Louis. American Airlines operates multiple late-evening nonstops from O'Hare (ORD) departing around 10:09 PM to 10:38 PM, Southwest runs departures from Midway (MDW) between 9:30 PM and 10:50 PM, and United has a 9:20 PM departure from ORD. These flights are short hops that land the same night, typically arriving well before midnight.",
        "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 St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Southwest flies nonstop from Chicago Midway to St. Louis with around 150 weekly flights. From Chicago O'Hare, American and United are the main nonstop carriers — American operates about 152 weekly flights (including those flown by Envoy and Republic) and United offers about 77 weekly flights (including those operated by Republic). Typical median fares aren't available for this route, so just know that Southwest, American, and United all offer frequent daily nonstop service.",
        "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"
        ]
      },
      "q8": {
        "question": "If I need a connection, what are common layover cities between Chicago and St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Connecting between Chicago and St. Louis is uncommon because non‑stop flights are plentiful and brief, but if you need a layover, possible hubs include Detroit, Minneapolis, or Dallas/Fort Worth with efficient transfers and broad domestic networks."
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time arrivals on this route from Chicago to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Southwest (WN) from Midway leads with 84.5% of arrivals within 15 minutes, while SkyWest (YX) operating for American and United tops the list at 88.3%. American (AA) mainline trails at 68.0% on-time arrivals, and cancellation rates are low across the board, ranging from 0.6% to 1.5%.",
        "methodology": "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.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "April to May and September to October offer pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Chicago to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "For domestic U.S. flights, bring a Real ID or passport, ensure the name matches your ticket and carry payment for baggage and any required health documents."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in St. Louis?",
        "answer": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport is the only commercial airport serving the city. It is located about 14 miles northwest of downtown St. Louis and handles all major airlines and connections."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to Dupage County from the city center?",
        "answer": "To reach Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) from downtown, the fastest and most popular option is the CTA Orange Line 'L' train, which offers a direct and economical ride to the airport station. Taxis and ride‑share services like Uber and Lyft are widely available, with taxis using metered fares and ride‑share pickups on the lower level outside baggage claim; both are convenient but cost more than public transit. Airport shuttles and regional buses also serve Midway for passengers coming from the city and suburbs. Driving yourself is possible with on‑site parking options including a main garage and economy lots, though parking fees apply and traffic can add travel time.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.flychicago.com/midway/tofrom/pages/default.aspx",
            "title": "Getting To and From | Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)",
            "favicon": "https://www.flychicago.com/_catalogs/masterpage/favicon.ico",
            "time_published": "2026-06-28T03:12:29Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://flychicago.com/midway/tofrom/taxi/pages/default.aspx",
            "title": "Taxi, Limo, TNP |  Chicago Midway International Airport  (MDW)",
            "time_published": "2026-05-05T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midway%20Airport%20%28disambiguation%29",
            "title": "Midway Airport (disambiguation)",
            "time_published": "2025-04-17T19:45:26Z"
          },
          {
            "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://www.faa.gov/AIR_TRAFFIC/FLIGHT_INFO/AERONAV/PROCEDURES/application/index.cfm?event=directory&directory=294316923CED4A93AEE2878AE4982479-MDW-NDBR&type=ndbr&nasrId=MDW",
            "title": "USA Banner",
            "time_published": "2025-06-26T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q14": {
        "question": "Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at St. Louis airport?",
        "answer": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) does not have on‑site hotels, capsule hotels, or sleeping pods inside the terminals. Several nearby hotels are connected by complimentary shuttle, including the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, which is located just off airport property and offers a free shuttle service. Other nearby options with shuttle access are also available for travelers needing a proper overnight stay.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://sleepinginairports.net/guides/st-louis-lambert-airport-guide.htm",
            "title": "St. Louis Lambert Airport Guide (STL) - Sleeping in Airports",
            "favicon": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/nitropack_static/oBWrHkPujHTPIaVWqdDSDhClXUyrYhhb/assets/images/optimized/rev-b853180/www.sleepinginairports.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cropped-sia-logo-180x180.png",
            "time_published": "2026-05-30T00:57:38Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://sleepinginairports.net/lounge/st-louis-airport/admirals-club-stl.htm",
            "title": "St. Louis Lambert Airport Guide (STL) - Sleeping in Airports",
            "time_published": "2026-04-13T20:29:58Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/stlsa-renaissance-st-louis-airport-hotel/overview/?gclid=8030245d09671d030bbc421df72c6641&gclsrc=3p.ds&cid=PAI_GLB0004YXE_GLE000BIMM_GLF000OETR",
            "title": "Hotels near St. Louis Airport | Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel",
            "time_published": "2024-10-11T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "http://activities.marriott.com/north-america/usa/missouri/st.-louis/activities/arrival_transfer_st_louis_airport_stl_to_st_louis_by_car_or_suv-X1B5YX",
            "title": "Arrival transfer St. Louis Airport STL to St. Louis by Car or SUV",
            "time_published": "2026-05-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/kstl/parking",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) Parking Rates and Map",
            "time_published": "2026-04-20T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q15": {
        "question": "Are there currency exchange offices, prayer rooms and Wi‑Fi at Lambert Intl Airport?",
        "answer": "Lambert‑St. Louis International Airport offers free Wi‑Fi throughout both terminals. Prayer rooms or chapels are available: an interfaith chapel is located in Terminal 1 (near gate C6) and another in Terminal 2 (near gate E22). Currency exchange offices are not listed among the airport’s services, so you may need to exchange money before arriving or use an ATM.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "favicon": "https://airport.guide/apple-touch-icon.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Lambert_International_Airport",
            "title": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://en.wikipedia.org/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png",
            "time_published": "2026-07-15T19:57:22Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.airport.guide/kstl",
            "title": "St Louis Airport (STL) | Terminal maps | Airport guide",
            "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St.%20Louis%20Lambert%20International%20Airport",
            "title": "St. Louis Lambert International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-05-01T13:15:49Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambert%20Airport%20Terminal%202%20station",
            "title": "Lambert Airport Terminal 2 station",
            "time_published": "2025-12-17T17:36:46Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Chicago to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "The most common aircraft on nonstop flights from Chicago to St. Louis are the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Bombardier CRJ-550, with the Airbus A319, Embraer 170, Canadair Regional Jet 700, Embraer 175, Boeing 737-800, and Boeing 737-700 also appearing. Several Southwest flights show an unspecified aircraft type, which on this route is typically a 737 variant. The exact aircraft varies by day and airline, but Boeing 737s and regional jets dominate the route.",
        "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 St. Louis?",
        "answer": "The Chicago to St. Louis route is served nonstop by Southwest (no alliance), American Airlines (oneworld), and United Airlines (Star Alliance). Other alliances may offer connecting itineraries, but oneworld and Star Alliance are the only alliances with nonstop service.",
        "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 Midway International Airport (MDW), the main lounge is The Club MDW, located in the Central Market at the intersection of Concourses A and B. It's a shared-use lounge accessible with Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or by paying a day pass (typically around $50). The space features floor-to-ceiling windows with airfield views, a full bar with local drinks, premium food, Wi-Fi, and quiet areas. Access is permitted up to 2.5 hours before departure. There are no airline-branded lounges at Midway.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "article_lookup"
        ],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/MDW",
            "title": "American Express Lounges at Chicago Midway International Airport | Amex US",
            "favicon": "https://www.americanexpress.com/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/MDW/The-Club-MDW-Concourse-B-S6nYE3TWPd",
            "title": "The Club MDW at Chicago Midway International Airport | Amex US",
            "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "http://prioritypass.com/en-GB/newsroom/opening-of-the-club-at-chicago-midway-international-airport",
            "title": "Opening of The Club at Chicago Midway International Airport | Priority Pass",
            "time_published": "2025-12-24T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.flychicago.com/midway/ServicesAmenities/services/Pages/technology.aspx",
            "title": "Technology | Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)",
            "time_published": "2026-05-29T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.prioritypass.com/lounges/usa/chicago-il-midway-international/mdw-the-club-mdw",
            "title": "The Club MDW MDW AIRPORT Central Market Chicago IL Midway International | Priority Pass",
            "favicon": "https://www.prioritypass.com/icon.png?a4ff481221414a5c",
            "time_published": "2024-11-05T16:20:09Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q21": {
        "question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Chicago to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Baggage rules depend on the airline and fare class. Basic Economy often allows only a personal item and charges for carry‑on or checked bags, while standard Economy typically includes a carry‑on and charges for checked luggage."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Chicago to St. Louis?",
        "answer": "Flights from Chicago to St. Louis typically only offer Economy seating, as Premium Economy and flat‑bed Business are not common on this short domestic route."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies differ by airline and fare; flexible and premium tickets often allow same‑day changes or standby, while Basic Economy typically does not."
      }
    }
  }
}