Sacramento (SMF) to Chicago (ORD): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Sacramento (SMF) to Chicago (ORD) effectively runs on two schedules. In February 2025, 93% of arrivals were on time; in July 2025 that fell to 50% — a 43-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 79% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 19 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.2%
- Flights/day
- 3.7
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 4h 9m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,781 mi
Best airline from SMF to ORD
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 81% | 14 min | 1.1% | 2,053 |
| American Airlines | 73% | 37 min | 1.8% | 610 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from SMF to ORD
Aim for departures around 8 a.m. (91% on-time); avoid 3 p.m. departures (63%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 26 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 83% | 10 min |
| Wednesday | 78% | 21 min |
| Thursday | 82% | 13 min |
| Friday | 77% | 23 min |
| Saturday | 81% | 16 min |
| Sunday | 75% | 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 aircraft30%
- Airline operations44%
- National airspace system25%
- Weather1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from SMF to ORD delayed?
- 21% of SMF–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 19 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from SMF to ORD?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 81%, based on 2,053 flights. 2 airlines flew SMF–ORD frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from SMF to ORD?
- Departures around 8 a.m. have the best record (91% on-time), while departures around 3 p.m. have the worst (63%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from SMF to ORD?
- The scheduled SMF–ORD flight time averages 4h 9m over 1,781 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are SMF to ORD flights cancelled?
- 1.2% 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 SMF to ORD?
- July 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 50% of arrivals on time. The best was February 2025 at 93%. If your dates are flexible, that 43-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,663 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.