$159 Cheap Flights from Santa Barbara (SBA) to Wilmington (ILM)

Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

Cheap Flights from Santa Barbara to Wilmington (SBA-ILM)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $159 for one-way flights and $314 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Delta
American Airlines
Delta
American Airlines
American Airlines
Delta
Delta
Delta
American Airlines
United
Flights from Santa Barbara (SBA) to Wilmington (ILM)
Origin airport
Santa Barbara Municipal
Destination airport
Wilmington Intl.
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, United
Roundtrip price
$314
Distance
2374 mi

Santa Barbara to Wilmington Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Santa Barbara to Wilmington

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Santa Barbara to Wilmington are during the month of September. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Santa Barbara to Wilmington with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

The best time to book a flight from Santa Barbara to Wilmington

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Santa Barbara to Wilmington: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Santa Barbara to Wilmington

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Santa Barbara to Wilmington in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $159 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Santa Barbara to Wilmington flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Santa Barbara to Wilmington airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

*Terms apply.

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Santa Barbara Airport to ILM last minute?
Being a spontaneous soul is a great way to discover the world, but it isn’t always the wisest method to score a cheap flight. It’s better to book your Santa Barbara Airport to Wilmington Intl. Airport trip well in advance instead of waiting till the last minute. Based on flight pricing and demand studies in 2022, we have found that the best time to book domestic flights is between 28 – 35 days ahead of the departure date, and international flights three to four months in advance. Leave all that spontaneity for when you reach your destination!
What airports do you fly into for Wilmington from Santa Barbara?
With Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM), Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ) and Grand Strand Airport (CRE) to pick from, getting from Santa Barbara to Wilmington is a snap. The city’s main terminal, Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM), is about 3 mi northeast of the center. Besides the price of fares, consider things like public transportation options from the airport and the distance to your hotel when choosing where to fly into. Get your Wilmington adventure off to a terrific start by visiting University of North Carolina at Wilmington and Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park.
Can I change the date of my flight from Santa Barbara Airport to Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM)?
Expedia makes it a breeze to make amendments to your Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to ILM trip yourself. Just log in to the Expedia Trips portal and tap “change flight.” Search for new flights and lock in the one that better fits your plans. You’ll see an estimate of your flight change cost, if applicable. You can also find your way to our Customer Service portal to connect with our Virtual Agent and quickly get answers to your questions.

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*Available to One Key members.