Sacramento (SMF) to Chicago (ORD): On-Time Performance
Data through May 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 80% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (87% vs 78%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 80%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.1%
- Flights/day
- 3.6
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 4h 8m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,781 mi
Best airline from SMF to ORD
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 82% | 13 min | 0.9% | 1,961 |
| American Airlines | 72% | 39 min | 1.8% | 542 |
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 (60%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 79% | 24 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 83% | 8 min |
| Wednesday | 81% | 17 min |
| Thursday | 83% | 15 min |
| Friday | 78% | 22 min |
| Saturday | 80% | 16 min |
| Sunday | 76% | 24 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 operations46%
- National airspace system24%
- Weather1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from SMF to ORD delayed?
- 20% of SMF–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 18 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from SMF to ORD?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 82%, based on 1,961 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 (60%). 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 8m over 1,781 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 20% of the time.
- How often are SMF to ORD flights cancelled?
- 1.1% 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 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 2,503 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.