Raleigh/Durham (RDU) to Atlanta (ATL): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Raleigh/Durham (RDU) to Atlanta (ATL) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2025, 96% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 69% — a 26-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 85% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (91% vs 74%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 85%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 13 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.4%
- Flights/day
- 13
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 33m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 356 mi
Best airline from RDU to ATL
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 87% | 11 min | 1.2% | 7,728 |
| Southwest Airlines | 86% | 10 min | 0.9% | 855 |
| Frontier Airlines | 73% | 26 min | 3.1% | 1,087 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from RDU to ATL
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (95% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (54%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 84% | 16 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 88% | 10 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 88% | 9 min |
| Thursday | 87% | 10 min |
| Friday | 84% | 14 min |
| Saturday | 84% | 13 min |
| Sunday | 80% | 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 aircraft41%
- Airline operations33%
- National airspace system24%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from RDU to ATL delayed?
- 15% of RDU–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 13 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from RDU to ATL?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 87%, based on 7,728 flights. 3 airlines flew RDU–ATL frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from RDU to ATL?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (95% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (54%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from RDU to ATL?
- The scheduled RDU–ATL flight time averages 1h 33m over 356 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 15% of the time.
- How often are RDU to ATL flights cancelled?
- 1.4% 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 RDU to ATL?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 69% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 96%. If your dates are flexible, that 26-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 9,679 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.