Chicago (ORD) to Raleigh/Durham (RDU): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Chicago (ORD) to Raleigh/Durham (RDU) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 88% of arrivals were on time; in July 2025 that fell to 65% — a 24-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 76% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (83% vs 66%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 76%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 19 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.4%
- Flights/day
- 9.7
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 7m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 646 mi
Best airline from ORD to RDU
6 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Envoy Airmost reliable | 80% | 11 min | 1.6% | 1,194 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 80% | 15 min | 1.4% | 144 |
| United Airlines | 79% | 16 min | 0.8% | 2,449 |
| Republic Airways | 78% | 16 min | 2.0% | 1,515 |
| American Airlines | 66% | 32 min | 1.5% | 1,238 |
| Frontier Airlines | 65% | 39 min | 3.1% | 226 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ORD to RDU
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (92% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (57%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 76% | 21 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 80% | 19 min |
| Wednesday | 77% | 15 min |
| Thursday | 75% | 18 min |
| Friday | 71% | 22 min |
| Saturday | 79% | 14 min |
| Sunday | 75% | 22 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft47%
- Airline operations29%
- National airspace system17%
- Weather7%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ORD to RDU delayed?
- 24% of ORD–RDU 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 RDU?
- Envoy Air has the best on-time record on this route at 80%, based on 1,194 flights. 6 airlines flew ORD–RDU frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from ORD to RDU?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (92% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (57%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from ORD to RDU?
- The scheduled ORD–RDU flight time averages 2h 7m over 646 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 24% of the time.
- How often are ORD to RDU flights cancelled?
- 1.4% 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 RDU?
- July 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 65% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 88%. If your dates are flexible, that 24-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
More routes from ORD
Based on 6,768 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.