Cleveland (CLE) to Atlanta (ATL): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Cleveland (CLE) to Atlanta (ATL) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2025, 94% of arrivals were on time; in January 2025 that fell to 74% — a 20-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 84% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (89% vs 76%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 84%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 12 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.7%
- Flights/day
- 9.3
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 58m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 554 mi
Best airline from CLE to ATL
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 88% | 10 min | 1.6% | 5,201 |
| Southwest Airlines | 84% | 11 min | 1.3% | 232 |
| Frontier Airlines | 69% | 23 min | 2.0% | 1,100 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from CLE to ATL
Aim for departures around 10 a.m. (92% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (69%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 84% | 12 min |
| Tuesday | 87% | 10 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 88% | 7 min |
| Thursday | 85% | 13 min |
| Friday | 84% | 14 min |
| Saturday | 84% | 12 min |
| Sunday | 79% | 17 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft34%
- Airline operations39%
- National airspace system20%
- Weather7%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from CLE to ATL delayed?
- 16% of CLE–ATL flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-06 and 2026-05. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 12 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from CLE to ATL?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 88%, based on 5,201 flights. 3 airlines flew CLE–ATL frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from CLE to ATL?
- Departures around 10 a.m. have the best record (92% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (69%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from CLE to ATL?
- The scheduled CLE–ATL flight time averages 1h 58m over 554 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 16% of the time.
- How often are CLE to ATL flights cancelled?
- 1.7% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from CLE to ATL?
- January 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 74% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 94%. If your dates are flexible, that 20-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 6,533 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.