Los Angeles (LAX) to Raleigh/Durham (RDU): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Los Angeles (LAX) to Raleigh/Durham (RDU) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2024, 93% of arrivals were on time; in July 2026 that fell to 59% — a 34-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
- 0.6%
- Flights/day
- 2.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 4h 51m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 2,239 mi
Best airline from LAX to RDU
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 81% | 11 min | 0.6% | 785 |
| American Airlines | 77% | 26 min | 0.5% | 795 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from LAX to RDU
Aim for departures around 11 a.m. (85% on-time); avoid 8 a.m. departures (70%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 25 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 83% | 13 min |
| Wednesday | 80% | 25 min |
| Thursday | 82% | 15 min |
| Friday | 80% | 15 min |
| Saturday | 77% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 76% | 19 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft39%
- Airline operations48%
- National airspace system12%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from LAX to RDU delayed?
- 21% of LAX–RDU 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 RDU?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 81%, based on 785 flights. 2 airlines flew LAX–RDU frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from LAX to RDU?
- Departures around 11 a.m. have the best record (85% on-time), while departures around 8 a.m. have the worst (70%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from LAX to RDU?
- The scheduled LAX–RDU flight time averages 4h 51m over 2,239 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are LAX to RDU flights cancelled?
- 0.6% 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 RDU?
- July 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 59% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 93%. If your dates are flexible, that 34-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,580 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.