Chicago (ORD) to Palm Springs (PSP): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Chicago (ORD) to Palm Springs (PSP) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 98% of arrivals were on time; in March 2026 that fell to 63% — a 36-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 75% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (78% vs 61%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 75%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 19 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.3%
- Flights/day
- 2.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 4h 29m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,651 mi
Best airline from ORD to PSP
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 80% | 14 min | 0.6% | 661 |
| American Airlines | 70% | 23 min | 1.9% | 722 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ORD to PSP
Aim for departures around 8 a.m. (84% on-time); avoid 9 p.m. departures (52%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 75% | 15 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 83% | 16 min |
| Wednesday | 76% | 14 min |
| Thursday | 77% | 16 min |
| Friday | 71% | 25 min |
| Saturday | 72% | 23 min |
| Sunday | 69% | 25 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft45%
- Airline operations30%
- National airspace system20%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ORD to PSP delayed?
- 25% of ORD–PSP flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-06 and 2026-05. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 19 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from ORD to PSP?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 80%, based on 661 flights. 2 airlines flew ORD–PSP frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from ORD to PSP?
- Departures around 8 a.m. have the best record (84% on-time), while departures around 9 p.m. have the worst (52%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from ORD to PSP?
- The scheduled ORD–PSP flight time averages 4h 29m over 1,651 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 25% of the time.
- How often are ORD to PSP flights cancelled?
- 1.3% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from ORD to PSP?
- March 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 63% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 98%. If your dates are flexible, that 36-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
More routes from ORD
Based on 1,384 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.