Chicago (ORD) to Tampa (TPA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Chicago (ORD) to Tampa (TPA) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 87% of arrivals were on time; in March 2026 that fell to 63% — 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 67%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 76%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 19 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.7%
- Flights/day
- 8.8
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 48m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,012 mi
Best airline from ORD to TPA
5 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 81% | 14 min | 1.2% | 2,934 |
| Spirit Airlines | 74% | 26 min | 3.0% | 774 |
| American Airlines | 72% | 20 min | 1.9% | 2,260 |
| Southwest Airlines | 71% | 27 min | 0.9% | 214 |
| Frontier Airlines | 68% | 38 min | 3.1% | 325 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ORD to TPA
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (88% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (45%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 75% | 24 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 83% | 12 min |
| Wednesday | 78% | 17 min |
| Thursday | 79% | 16 min |
| Friday | 73% | 21 min |
| Saturday | 74% | 18 min |
| Sunday | 71% | 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 aircraft45%
- Airline operations24%
- National airspace system26%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ORD to TPA delayed?
- 24% of ORD–TPA 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 19 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from ORD to TPA?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 81%, based on 2,934 flights. 5 airlines flew ORD–TPA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from ORD to TPA?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (88% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (45%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from ORD to TPA?
- The scheduled ORD–TPA flight time averages 2h 48m over 1,012 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 24% of the time.
- How often are ORD to TPA flights cancelled?
- 1.7% 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 TPA?
- March 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 63% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 87%. If your dates are flexible, that 24-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 6,510 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.