Pittsburgh (PIT) to Chicago (ORD): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Pittsburgh (PIT) to Chicago (ORD) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 92% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 69% — a 23-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 81% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (89% vs 61%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.6%
- Flights/day
- 11
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 49m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 413 mi
Best airline from PIT to ORD
5 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 86% | 11 min | 1.3% | 2,709 |
| Envoy Air | 81% | 15 min | 1.2% | 680 |
| United Airlines | 80% | 19 min | 1.4% | 2,609 |
| American Airlines | 73% | 30 min | 2.8% | 1,208 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 65% | 40 min | 2.9% | 348 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from PIT to ORD
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (97% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (55%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 21 min |
| Tuesday | 83% | 15 min |
| Wednesday | 81% | 15 min |
| Thursday | 81% | 16 min |
| Friday | 78% | 21 min |
| Saturdaybest | 83% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 79% | 21 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft33%
- Airline operations25%
- National airspace system37%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from PIT to ORD delayed?
- 20% of PIT–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 18 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from PIT to ORD?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 86%, based on 2,709 flights. 5 airlines flew PIT–ORD frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from PIT to ORD?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (97% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (55%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from PIT to ORD?
- The scheduled PIT–ORD flight time averages 1h 49m over 413 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 20% of the time.
- How often are PIT to ORD flights cancelled?
- 1.6% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from PIT to ORD?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 69% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 23-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
More routes from PIT
Other ways to fly to Chicago (ORD)
Related guides
Based on 7,554 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.