Pittsburgh (PIT) to Chicago (ORD): On-Time Performance
Data through May 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
- 17 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.5%
- 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 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 86% | 11 min | 1.2% | 2,396 |
| Envoy Air | 81% | 15 min | 1.3% | 684 |
| United Airlines | 80% | 17 min | 1.1% | 2,439 |
| American Airlines | 75% | 26 min | 2.5% | 1,194 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 65% | 40 min | 2.3% | 311 |
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 | 82% | 14 min |
| Wednesday | 82% | 14 min |
| Thursday | 80% | 17 min |
| Friday | 79% | 18 min |
| Saturdaybest | 83% | 16 min |
| Sunday | 80% | 19 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft34%
- Airline operations25%
- National airspace system36%
- Weather6%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from PIT to ORD delayed?
- 19% of PIT–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 PIT to ORD?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 86%, based on 2,396 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 19% of the time.
- How often are PIT to ORD flights cancelled?
- 1.5% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, 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.
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Based on 7,024 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.