Philadelphia (PHL) to Atlanta (ATL): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Philadelphia (PHL) to Atlanta (ATL) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2025, 88% of arrivals were on time; in July 2026 that fell to 64% — a 24-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 (84% vs 66%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 77%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.4%
- Flights/day
- 16
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 18m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 666 mi
Best airline from PHL to ATL
7 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 89% | 10 min | 2.2% | 223 |
| Delta Air Lines | 82% | 15 min | 2.1% | 6,236 |
| Southwest Airlines | 81% | 11 min | 0.3% | 322 |
| PSA Airlines | 78% | 18 min | 3.4% | 1,602 |
| American Airlines | 67% | 24 min | 2.4% | 1,250 |
| Spirit Airlines | 66% | 24 min | 3.1% | 453 |
| Frontier Airlines | 65% | 28 min | 2.5% | 1,967 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from PHL to ATL
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (87% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (61%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 74% | 21 min |
| Tuesday | 81% | 14 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 84% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 77% | 19 min |
| Friday | 75% | 20 min |
| Saturday | 76% | 20 min |
| Sunday | 71% | 23 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft41%
- Airline operations33%
- 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 2024-07 and 2026-07. 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 89%, based on 223 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 (87% 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 18m 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?
- 2.4% 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 PHL to ATL?
- July 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 64% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 88%. If your dates are flexible, that 24-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 12,053 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.