Norfolk (ORF) to Chicago (ORD): On-Time Performance
Data through May 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 63%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 78%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 17 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.9%
- Flights/day
- 5.0
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 30m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 717 mi
Best airline from ORF to ORD
5 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyWest Airlinesmost reliable | 83% | 14 min | 0.6% | 162 |
| Envoy Air | 81% | 14 min | 1.9% | 696 |
| Republic Airways | 78% | 13 min | 1.8% | 566 |
| United Airlines | 77% | 19 min | 1.3% | 1,395 |
| 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. (90% on-time); avoid 6 p.m. departures (61%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 77% | 19 min |
| Tuesday | 80% | 17 min |
| Wednesday | 78% | 17 min |
| Thursdaybest | 81% | 11 min |
| Friday | 76% | 16 min |
| Saturday | 78% | 19 min |
| Sunday | 76% | 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 operations30%
- National airspace system37%
- 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 2024-06 and 2026-05. 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 83%, based on 162 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 (90% on-time), while departures around 6 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 ORF to ORD?
- The scheduled ORF–ORD flight time averages 2h 30m 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?
- 1.9% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, 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 3,007 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.