Atlanta (ATL) to Chicago (ORD): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Atlanta (ATL) to Chicago (ORD) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 87% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 57% — a 30-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 73% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (83% vs 60%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 73%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 23 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.0%
- Flights/day
- 18
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 13m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 606 mi
Best airline from ATL to ORD
7 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 78% | 21 min | 1.5% | 3,352 |
| Republic Airways | 76% | 20 min | 3.9% | 508 |
| Envoy Air | 76% | 18 min | 2.2% | 691 |
| American Airlines | 73% | 33 min | 2.5% | 1,359 |
| Delta Air Lines | 72% | 18 min | 1.7% | 5,404 |
| Spirit Airlines | 63% | 27 min | 2.0% | 197 |
| Frontier Airlines | 60% | 41 min | 3.1% | 1,309 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ATL to ORD
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (91% on-time); avoid 5 p.m. departures (48%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 72% | 28 min |
| Tuesday | 75% | 19 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 77% | 18 min |
| Thursday | 72% | 22 min |
| Friday | 69% | 25 min |
| Saturday | 74% | 21 min |
| Sunday | 69% | 27 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft32%
- Airline operations31%
- National airspace system31%
- Weather6%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ATL to ORD delayed?
- 27% of ATL–ORD flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-07 and 2026-07. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 23 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from ATL to ORD?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 78%, based on 3,352 flights. 7 airlines flew ATL–ORD frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from ATL to ORD?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (91% on-time), while departures around 5 p.m. have the worst (48%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from ATL to ORD?
- The scheduled ATL–ORD flight time averages 2h 13m over 606 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 27% of the time.
- How often are ATL to ORD flights cancelled?
- 2% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from ATL to ORD?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 57% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 87%. If your dates are flexible, that 30-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 12,870 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.