Chicago (ORD) to Memphis (MEM): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Chicago (ORD) to Memphis (MEM) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2025, 88% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 60% — a 28-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 73% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (81% vs 65%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 73%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.3%
- Flights/day
- 6.9
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 56m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 491 mi
Best airline from ORD to MEM
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Envoy Airmost reliable | 77% | 14 min | 2.2% | 1,742 |
| Republic Airways | 75% | 18 min | 3.8% | 740 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 72% | 20 min | 1.4% | 1,397 |
| United Airlines | 63% | 28 min | 2.8% | 713 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ORD to MEM
Aim for departures around 11 a.m. (84% on-time); avoid 6 p.m. departures (60%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 74% | 17 min |
| Tuesday | 76% | 17 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 76% | 20 min |
| Thursday | 71% | 20 min |
| Friday | 69% | 21 min |
| Saturdaybest | 76% | 15 min |
| Sunday | 71% | 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 aircraft40%
- Airline operations30%
- National airspace system19%
- Weather10%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ORD to MEM delayed?
- 27% of ORD–MEM 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 ORD to MEM?
- Envoy Air has the best on-time record on this route at 77%, based on 1,742 flights. 4 airlines flew ORD–MEM frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from ORD to MEM?
- Departures around 11 a.m. have the best record (84% on-time), while departures around 6 p.m. have the worst (60%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from ORD to MEM?
- The scheduled ORD–MEM flight time averages 1h 56m over 491 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 27% of the time.
- How often are ORD to MEM flights cancelled?
- 2.3% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from ORD to MEM?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 60% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 88%. If your dates are flexible, that 28-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 4,608 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.