Purdue University Airport (LAF): Delays & On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Purdue University Airport (LAF) in Lafayette, IN is a middle-of-the-pack performer: 78% of departures are on time, within a few points of the national 78%. It hosts 1 airlines flying 1 departures a day to 1 destinations, with cancellations at 2.5%.
- Departures on-time
- 78%
- left <15 min late
- Avg dep delay
- 36 min
- Arrivals on-time
- 67%
- Cancelled
- 2.5%
- Destinations
- 1
- nonstop
- Airlines
- 1
Plan your departure from LAF
The choices most likely to improve your odds, based on this airport’s historical record.
- Best day to fly
- Wednesday
- 84% on-time
- Cancellation risk
- 2.5%
- above the US average
Monthly on-time trend
Best time of day to depart from LAF
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 71% | 46 min |
| Tuesday | 80% | 27 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 84% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 74% | 45 min |
| Friday | 74% | 27 min |
| Saturday | 75% | 36 min |
| Sunday | 66% | 62 min |
Busiest routes from LAF
| Route | Flights/12mo | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAF → ORD (Chicago) | 474 | 73% | 39 min |
Where flights into LAF come from
| Route | Flights/12mo | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORD (Chicago) → LAF | 475 | 67% | 38 min |
What causes delays at LAF
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT, weighted across routes departing LAF.
- Late-arriving aircraft43%
- Airline operations35%
- National airspace system13%
- Weather9%
Alternative airports near Lafayette
Other airports within 120 miles, compared on departure reliability.
| Airport | Distance | On-time departures | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| IND — Indianapolis International Airport | 59 mi | 82% | 14 min |
| CMI — University of Illinois Willard Airport | 75 mi | 83% | 17 min |
| SBN — South Bend International Airport | 95 mi | 77% | 24 min |
| FWA — Fort Wayne International Airport | 99 mi | 77% | 24 min |
| MDW — Chicago Midway International Airport | 104 mi | 75% | 15 min |
Compare the airport-level record first, then check the exact route you plan to book.
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights delayed at LAF?
- 22% of departures from Purdue University Airport left 15+ minutes late between 2024-06 and 2026-05, with an average departure delay of 36 minutes. The national on-time average over the same period was 78%.
- How often are flights cancelled at LAF?
- 2.5% of scheduled departures from LAF were cancelled in this period, compared with a national rate of 1.6%.
Popular route pages from this airport
Related guides
Based on 474 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.