Philadelphia (PHL) to Atlanta (ATL): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Philadelphia (PHL) to Atlanta (ATL) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2025, 88% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 66% — a 22-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 77% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (85% vs 65%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 77%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.1%
- Flights/day
- 16
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 17m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 666 mi
Best airline from PHL to ATL
7 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 87% | 11 min | 2.6% | 196 |
| Delta Air Lines | 83% | 14 min | 1.7% | 5,952 |
| Southwest Airlines | 80% | 12 min | 0.3% | 363 |
| PSA Airlines | 78% | 18 min | 3.4% | 1,517 |
| American Airlines | 68% | 24 min | 1.9% | 1,124 |
| Spirit Airlines | 66% | 24 min | 2.9% | 483 |
| Frontier Airlines | 65% | 27 min | 2.6% | 1,816 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from PHL to ATL
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (88% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (61%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 75% | 21 min |
| Tuesday | 81% | 13 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 84% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 78% | 18 min |
| Friday | 76% | 19 min |
| Saturday | 77% | 19 min |
| Sunday | 72% | 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 aircraft43%
- Airline operations32%
- National airspace system23%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from PHL to ATL delayed?
- 23% of PHL–ATL 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 18 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from PHL to ATL?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 87%, based on 196 flights. 7 airlines flew PHL–ATL frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from PHL to ATL?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (88% on-time), while departures around 10 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 PHL to ATL?
- The scheduled PHL–ATL flight time averages 2h 17m over 666 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 23% of the time.
- How often are PHL to ATL flights cancelled?
- 2.1% 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 PHL to ATL?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 66% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 88%. If your dates are flexible, that 22-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 11,451 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.