Raleigh/Durham (RDU) to Houston (IAH): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Raleigh/Durham (RDU) to Houston (IAH) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2025, 93% of arrivals were on time; in July 2025 that fell to 57% — a 36-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 62%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.5%
- Flights/day
- 2.5
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 6m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,042 mi
Best airline from RDU to IAH
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 85% | 14 min | 1.3% | 1,453 |
| Frontier Airlines | 66% | 29 min | 2.2% | 368 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from RDU to IAH
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (92% on-time); avoid 6 p.m. departures (53%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 77% | 25 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 89% | 9 min |
| Wednesday | 82% | 15 min |
| Thursday | 77% | 17 min |
| Friday | 80% | 20 min |
| Saturday | 83% | 20 min |
| Sunday | 80% | 16 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft40%
- Airline operations28%
- National airspace system28%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from RDU to IAH delayed?
- 19% of RDU–IAH 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 RDU to IAH?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 85%, based on 1,453 flights. 2 airlines flew RDU–IAH frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from RDU to IAH?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (92% on-time), while departures around 6 p.m. have the worst (53%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from RDU to IAH?
- The scheduled RDU–IAH flight time averages 3h 6m over 1,042 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 19% of the time.
- How often are RDU to IAH flights cancelled?
- 1.5% 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 IAH?
- July 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 57% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 93%. If your dates are flexible, that 36-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
More routes from RDU
Other ways to fly to Houston (IAH)
Related guides
Based on 1,832 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.