Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago (ORD): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago (ORD) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 88% of arrivals were on time; in March 2026 that fell to 68% — a 20-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 79% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.3%
- Flights/day
- 19
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 4h 12m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,744 mi
Best airline from LAX to ORD
5 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 83% | 12 min | 0.8% | 6,880 |
| Spirit Airlines | 82% | 14 min | 1.9% | 995 |
| American Airlines | 76% | 23 min | 1.6% | 6,261 |
| Delta Air Lines | 70% | 21 min | 0.0% | 151 |
| Frontier Airlines | 61% | 54 min | 4.8% | 289 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from LAX to ORD
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 3 p.m. departures (61%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 79% | 20 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 83% | 15 min |
| Wednesday | 80% | 15 min |
| Thursday | 80% | 16 min |
| Friday | 79% | 19 min |
| Saturday | 79% | 19 min |
| Sunday | 77% | 20 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft43%
- Airline operations33%
- National airspace system23%
- Weather1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from LAX to ORD delayed?
- 21% of LAX–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 18 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from LAX to ORD?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 83%, based on 6,880 flights. 5 airlines flew LAX–ORD frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from LAX to ORD?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 3 p.m. have the worst (61%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from LAX to ORD?
- The scheduled LAX–ORD flight time averages 4h 12m over 1,744 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are LAX to ORD 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 LAX to ORD?
- March 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 68% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 88%. If your dates are flexible, that 20-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 14,576 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.