Columbus (CMH) to Chicago (ORD): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Columbus (CMH) to Chicago (ORD) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 87% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 59% — a 29-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 76% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (83% vs 54%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 76%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 21 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.5%
- Flights/day
- 13
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 34m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 296 mi
Best airline from CMH to ORD
5 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 87% | 10 min | 1.2% | 2,644 |
| American Airlines | 77% | 18 min | 1.6% | 192 |
| Envoy Air | 75% | 24 min | 1.2% | 2,731 |
| United Airlines | 69% | 25 min | 1.3% | 2,226 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 67% | 35 min | 4.1% | 789 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from CMH to ORD
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (96% on-time); avoid 6 p.m. departures (49%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 74% | 23 min |
| Tuesday | 80% | 17 min |
| Wednesday | 78% | 18 min |
| Thursday | 74% | 23 min |
| Friday | 75% | 21 min |
| Saturdaybest | 81% | 18 min |
| Sunday | 74% | 24 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft31%
- Airline operations30%
- National airspace system33%
- Weather6%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from CMH to ORD delayed?
- 24% of CMH–ORD 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 21 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from CMH to ORD?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 87%, based on 2,644 flights. 5 airlines flew CMH–ORD frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from CMH to ORD?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (96% on-time), while departures around 6 p.m. have the worst (49%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from CMH to ORD?
- The scheduled CMH–ORD flight time averages 1h 34m over 296 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 24% of the time.
- How often are CMH to ORD flights cancelled?
- 1.5% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from CMH to ORD?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 59% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 87%. If your dates are flexible, that 29-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 8,636 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.