How often are flights delayed at SPI?

21% of departures from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport left 15+ minutes late between 2024-07 and 2026-07, with an average departure delay of 20 minutes. The national on-time average over the same period was 78%.

What is the best time of day to depart from SPI?

Flights scheduled around 6 a.m. depart on time 90% of the time at SPI, versus 66% around 6 p.m.. Booking before noon is the usual rule of thumb here.

How often are flights cancelled at SPI?

2.8% of scheduled departures from SPI were cancelled in this period, compared with a national rate of 1.6%.

Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI): Delays & On-Time Performance

Data through July 2026

Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI) in Springfield, IL is a middle-of-the-pack performer: 79% of departures are on time, within a few points of the national 78%. It hosts 3 airlines flying 2 departures a day to 2 destinations, with cancellations at 2.8%.

Departures on-time: 79%; left <15 min late
Avg dep delay: 20 min
Arrivals on-time: 77%
Cancelled: 2.8%
Destinations: 2; nonstop
Airlines: 3

Plan your departure from SPI

The choices most likely to improve your odds, based on this airport’s historical record.

Best departure time: Around 6 a.m.; 90% on-time
Best day to fly: Wednesday; 82% on-time
Most reliable airline here: Envoy Air; 84% on-time from SPI
Cancellation risk: 2.8%; above the US average

Check routes from SPI ↓Compare nearby airports ↓

Monthly on-time trend

Best time of day to depart from SPI

By day of week

Day	On-time	Avg delay
Monday	75%	28 min
Tuesday	79%	20 min
Wednesdaybest	82%	14 min
Thursday	81%	21 min
Friday	76%	21 min
Saturday	76%	18 min
Sunday	79%	22 min

Next: compare the busiest routes from SPI ↓

Busiest routes from SPI

Route	Flights/12mo	On-time	Avg delay
SPI → ORD (Chicago)	707	80%	19 min
SPI → PGD (Punta Gorda)	114	70%	28 min

Compare airlines departing SPI ↓

Where flights into SPI come from

Route	Flights/12mo	On-time	Avg delay
ORD (Chicago) → SPI	708	76%	19 min
PGD (Punta Gorda) → SPI	113	81%	14 min

What causes delays at SPI

Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT, weighted across routes departing SPI.

Late-arriving aircraft39%
Airline operations27%
National airspace system22%
Weather12%

Alternative airports near Springfield

Other airports within 120 miles, compared on departure reliability.

Airport	Distance	On-time departures	Avg delay
DEC — Decatur Airport	43 mi	81%	26 min
PIA — General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport	57 mi	78%	24 min
BMI — Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal	59 mi	85%	16 min
CMI — University of Illinois Willard Airport	75 mi	83%	18 min
STL — St. Louis Lambert International Airport	84 mi	77%	16 min

Compare the airport-level record first, then check the exact route you plan to book.

Airline performance at SPI

Airline	On-time departures	Avg delay	Flights
Envoy Air	84%	14 min	812
Allegiant Air	67%	29 min	245
SkyWest Airlines	61%	45 min	103

Frequently asked questions

How often are flights delayed at SPI?: 21% of departures from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport left 15+ minutes late between 2024-07 and 2026-07, with an average departure delay of 20 minutes. The national on-time average over the same period was 78%.
What is the best time of day to depart from SPI?: Flights scheduled around 6 a.m. depart on time 90% of the time at SPI, versus 66% around 6 p.m.. Booking before noon is the usual rule of thumb here.
How often are flights cancelled at SPI?: 2.8% of scheduled departures from SPI were cancelled in this period, compared with a national rate of 1.6%.

Popular route pages from this airport

Related guides

Based on 1,160 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.