Chicago (ORD) to West Palm Beach/Palm Beach (PBI): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Chicago (ORD) to West Palm Beach/Palm Beach (PBI) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 96% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 55% — a 42-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 (77% vs 64%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 73%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 20 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.2%
- Flights/day
- 3.6
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 6m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,144 mi
Best airline from ORD to PBI
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 77% | 17 min | 0.2% | 968 |
| American Airlines | 71% | 23 min | 1.9% | 1,398 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ORD to PBI
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (82% on-time); avoid 1 p.m. departures (61%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 73% | 23 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 86% | 11 min |
| Wednesday | 78% | 14 min |
| Thursday | 71% | 19 min |
| Friday | 69% | 23 min |
| Saturday | 71% | 22 min |
| Sunday | 66% | 28 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft46%
- Airline operations22%
- National airspace system28%
- Weather4%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ORD to PBI delayed?
- 27% of ORD–PBI 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 ORD to PBI?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 77%, based on 968 flights. 2 airlines flew ORD–PBI frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from ORD to PBI?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (82% on-time), while departures around 1 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 ORD to PBI?
- The scheduled ORD–PBI flight time averages 3h 6m over 1,144 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 27% of the time.
- How often are ORD to PBI flights cancelled?
- 1.2% 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 ORD to PBI?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 55% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 96%. If your dates are flexible, that 42-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
More routes from ORD
Other ways to fly to West Palm Beach/Palm Beach (PBI)
Related guides
Based on 2,414 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.