Atlanta (ATL) to Raleigh/Durham (RDU): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Atlanta (ATL) to Raleigh/Durham (RDU) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2025, 91% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 64% — a 28-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 79% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (88% vs 72%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 14 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.3%
- Flights/day
- 13
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 24m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 356 mi
Best airline from ATL to RDU
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlinesmost reliable | 84% | 10 min | 0.6% | 855 |
| Delta Air Lines | 81% | 12 min | 1.1% | 7,728 |
| Frontier Airlines | 63% | 29 min | 2.8% | 1,085 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ATL to RDU
Aim for departures around 9 a.m. (93% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (66%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 77% | 14 min |
| Tuesday | 83% | 13 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 84% | 9 min |
| Thursday | 82% | 12 min |
| Friday | 77% | 17 min |
| Saturday | 80% | 15 min |
| Sunday | 74% | 19 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft38%
- Airline operations42%
- National airspace system14%
- Weather7%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ATL to RDU delayed?
- 21% of ATL–RDU 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 14 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from ATL to RDU?
- Southwest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 84%, based on 855 flights. 3 airlines flew ATL–RDU frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from ATL to RDU?
- Departures around 9 a.m. have the best record (93% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (66%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from ATL to RDU?
- The scheduled ATL–RDU flight time averages 1h 24m over 356 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are ATL to RDU flights cancelled?
- 1.3% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from ATL to RDU?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 64% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 28-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
More routes from ATL
Other ways to fly to Raleigh/Durham (RDU)
Related guides
Based on 9,677 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.