Decatur (DEC) to Chicago (ORD): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
The biggest risk when flying DEC to ORD isn't a late arrival — it's not departing at all. 3.2% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled, several times the typical US rate. When flights do go, 72% land on time, below the national average of 78%.
- On-time
- 72%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 30 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.2%
- Flights/day
- 1.7
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 10m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 156 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DEC to ORD
Aim for departures around 9 a.m. (82% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (57%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Mondaybest | 78% | 30 min |
| Tuesday | 72% | 26 min |
| Wednesday | 75% | 34 min |
| Thursday | 71% | 30 min |
| Friday | 73% | 25 min |
| Saturday | 66% | 30 min |
| Sunday | 66% | 33 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 operations43%
- National airspace system14%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DEC to ORD delayed?
- 28% of DEC–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 30 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DEC to ORD?
- Departures around 9 a.m. have the best record (82% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (57%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DEC to ORD?
- The scheduled DEC–ORD flight time averages 1h 10m over 156 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 28% of the time.
- How often are DEC to ORD flights cancelled?
- 3.2% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07 — several times the typical US rate, so consider earlier departures or backup options.
- What is the worst month to fly from DEC to ORD?
- June 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 60% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 93%. If your dates are flexible, that 33-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,307 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.