Norfolk (ORF) to Chicago (ORD): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Norfolk (ORF) to Chicago (ORD) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2024, 91% of arrivals were on time; in July 2025 that fell to 63% — a 28-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 78% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (84% vs 64%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 78%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 17 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.1%
- Flights/day
- 5.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 31m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 717 mi
Best airline from ORF to ORD
5 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyWest Airlinesmost reliable | 81% | 16 min | 1.3% | 305 |
| Envoy Air | 81% | 14 min | 2.3% | 727 |
| Republic Airways | 79% | 14 min | 2.1% | 701 |
| United Airlines | 77% | 19 min | 1.3% | 1,370 |
| PSA Airlines | 74% | 21 min | 7.5% | 186 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ORF to ORD
Aim for departures around 8 a.m. (89% on-time); avoid 6 p.m. departures (62%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 77% | 19 min |
| Tuesday | 80% | 16 min |
| Wednesday | 78% | 18 min |
| Thursdaybest | 83% | 11 min |
| Friday | 76% | 16 min |
| Saturday | 77% | 20 min |
| Sunday | 77% | 17 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft26%
- Airline operations31%
- National airspace system36%
- Weather7%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ORF to ORD delayed?
- 22% of ORF–ORD 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 17 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from ORF to ORD?
- SkyWest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 81%, based on 305 flights. 5 airlines flew ORF–ORD frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from ORF to ORD?
- Departures around 8 a.m. have the best record (89% on-time), while departures around 6 p.m. have the worst (62%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from ORF to ORD?
- The scheduled ORF–ORD flight time averages 2h 31m over 717 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 22% of the time.
- How often are ORF to ORD flights cancelled?
- 2.1% 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 ORF to ORD?
- July 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 63% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 28-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 3,299 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.