Denver (DEN) to Norfolk (ORF): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Denver (DEN) to Norfolk (ORF) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 89% of arrivals were on time; in July 2025 that fell to 42% — a 47-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 68% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (78% vs 65%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 68%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 20 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.9%
- Flights/day
- 1.7
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 29m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,553 mi
Best airline from DEN to ORF
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 68% | 22 min | 0.9% | 815 |
| Southwest Airlines | 68% | 17 min | 0.8% | 505 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DEN to ORF
Aim for departures around 11 a.m. (80% on-time); avoid 5 p.m. departures (64%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 70% | 19 min |
| Tuesday | 66% | 22 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 73% | 32 min |
| Thursday | 67% | 20 min |
| Friday | 68% | 18 min |
| Saturday | 67% | 18 min |
| Sunday | 66% | 18 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft41%
- Airline operations29%
- National airspace system23%
- Weather7%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DEN to ORF delayed?
- 32% of DEN–ORF 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 20 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DEN to ORF?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 68%, based on 815 flights. 2 airlines flew DEN–ORF frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DEN to ORF?
- Departures around 11 a.m. have the best record (80% on-time), while departures around 5 p.m. have the worst (64%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DEN to ORF?
- The scheduled DEN–ORF flight time averages 3h 29m over 1,553 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 32% of the time.
- How often are DEN to ORF flights cancelled?
- 0.9% 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 DEN to ORF?
- July 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 42% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 47-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,338 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.