Flight Delays at Chicago Airports: What You Need to Know

Understanding Flight Delays in Chicago

Chicago’s two major airports—O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW)—together serve over 80 million passengers annually. With that volume comes inevitable operational challenges. Flight delays are nearly universal travel experiences, and Chicago is no exception.

Here’s a sobering statistic: According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, roughly 18-20% of all flights experience some delay, with an average delay of 19 minutes when delays occur. During peak times and bad weather, these percentages increase dramatically.

The good news? Understanding why delays happen and planning accordingly can save you stress, money, and frustration. As your ground transportation partner, Royal Carriage has picked up countless passengers experiencing the ripple effects of flight delays, and we’ve learned valuable strategies for managing them.

Why Do Flights Get Delayed in Chicago?

Weather: The Primary Culprit

Chicago’s weather is notoriously unpredictable. The city experiences thunderstorms, heavy snow, ice, fog, and wind conditions that directly impact flight operations.

Summer Thunderstorms (June-August) The most frequent cause of Chicago flight delays. Afternoon thunderstorms that form over the Great Lakes create dangerous conditions for takeoff and landing. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates strict weather separation requirements—planes cannot take off or land during active thunderstorms.

Impact: 15-60 minute delays in severe cases Peak times: 3 PM - 7 PM on summer afternoons

Winter Snow and Ice (November-March) While modern airports handle snow well, accumulation still reduces runway capacity and increases deicing time for aircraft. Midwest winter can also create visibility issues.

Impact: 30-90 minute delays in significant snow Peak times: Early morning departures when overnight snow has accumulated

Wind and Fog Strong crosswinds (typically above 30 mph) can close runways or limit operations. Dense fog reduces visibility below minimums for instrument approaches.

Impact: 20-45 minute delays Seasons: Fall and spring are peak fog seasons for Chicago

Air Traffic Congestion

ORD is one of the nation’s busiest airports, consistently ranking in the top 5 for both domestic and international traffic. When multiple flights schedule departures and arrivals within the same timeframe, the FAA implements ground stops or controlled delays.

Ground Stop Example: A thunderstorm near Memphis affects flights heading north to Chicago. Planes must circle or be delayed on the ground until the weather clears.

Cascade Delays: A plane delayed getting to Chicago arrives late, then departs late, affecting its next flight and the next, creating a cascading effect throughout the day.

Mechanical and Technical Issues

No airline wants delays—they’re expensive and create customer dissatisfaction. However, safety always takes priority over schedule. Common mechanical issues include:

Engine checks that take longer than expected
Hydraulic system issues
Avionics problems
Boarding door malfunctions
Catering or servicing delays

These typically create 20-60 minute delays while maintenance troubleshoots.

Crew Issues

Airlines operate under strict crew rest regulations. If a crew becomes fatigued, overscheduled, or if a crew member becomes ill, delays occur.

Crew scheduling conflicts
Crew rest violations
Pilot or flight attendant illness
Crew connections from delayed incoming flights

Airport Infrastructure

Chicago’s airports maintain high operational standards, but infrastructure limitations still occur:

Runway maintenance work
Gate availability issues
Baggage system delays
De-icing facility capacity
Parking and ground transport delays

How to Prepare for Potential Delays

Before Your Trip

1. Choose the Right Time to Fly

If you have scheduling flexibility, strategically choose your flight times:

Best times for Chicago: Early morning flights (before 9 AM) have the lowest delay rates
Worst times: Late afternoon (3-7 PM) during spring and summer
Mid-morning flights (9 AM-12 PM) offer good reliability year-round
Avoid evening departures (6-9 PM) if delay sensitivity is high

2. Check Historical Delay Data

The U.S. Department of Transportation provides detailed delay statistics by airline and route. Before booking, check:

Your specific airline’s on-time performance
The specific route’s history
Seasonal patterns

3. Build in Buffer Time

If you have a connection in Chicago, ideally book 2+ hours between flights. If you’re arriving and then heading to an important meeting, tell your transportation service about your flight details.

4. Choose Flexible Accommodations

Book hotels near the airport with flexible cancellation policies. Some even have flight monitoring services that release rooms if you’re delayed.

5. Get Airline Notifications

Most airlines offer free text and email alerts for flight changes. Enable all notifications so you know immediately about delays.

During Your Trip

1. Monitor Your Flight in Real-Time

Apps like FlightAware, the airline’s official app, and airport apps provide updates faster than the airline’s phone lines.

Checking 24 hours before: Check for schedule changes Checking 6 hours before: Look for delays or cancellations Checking 2 hours before: Monitor progression toward departure

2. Stay in Touch with Your Ground Transportation

If you’ve booked ground transportation with Royal Carriage (which we strongly recommend), our system accounts for flight delays. When you provide your flight details, we monitor your flight. If you’re delayed, your driver adjusts accordingly.

If you’re using a rideshare, request your ride only once you have a clear picture of your arrival time.

3. Know Your Rights

The DOT requires airlines to provide:

Rebooking on the next available flight
Meals and hotel accommodations for overnight delays
Transportation to accommodations
Phone/email/internet access

European carriers have even stricter requirements. U.S. domestic carriers have few mandatory compensations but often offer vouchers for significant delays.

Flight Delay Statistics for Chicago

Understanding the patterns helps you plan:

O’Hare (ORD) Delay Patterns

Monthly Average Delay Rates:

January: 18% (weather)
February: 19% (winter weather)
March: 17% (weather clearing)
April: 16%
May: 15%
June: 18% (thunderstorms begin)
July: 22% (peak thunderstorm season)
August: 21% (continued storms)
September: 17% (storms decrease)
October: 15%
November: 17% (winter begins)
December: 20% (holiday congestion + weather)

By Time of Day:

5:00-9:00 AM: 14% delay rate (best)
9:00 AM-12:00 PM: 16% delay rate
12:00-3:00 PM: 18% delay rate
3:00-6:00 PM: 26% delay rate (worst)
6:00-9:00 PM: 22% delay rate
9:00 PM-12:00 AM: 15% delay rate
12:00-5:00 AM: 8% delay rate (rare flights)

Midway (MDW) Delay Patterns

Midway, being smaller, experiences different patterns:

Generally 2-4 points better than ORD
August and December are worst months
Afternoon delays are less severe than ORD
Generally better performance on leisure routes with less complex operations

Ground Transportation Planning Around Delays

The Critical Decision Point

When you’re delayed, your ground transportation plans may be disrupted. Here’s how to manage it:

Departure Delay: If your outbound flight is delayed, reschedule your pickup. Professional services like Royal Carriage allow free rescheduling. Rideshares require you to request a new ride, which might be more expensive due to timing.

Arrival Delay: If you’re arriving late, notify your ground transportation. A professional service with your flight information automatically detects delays. If using rideshare, request the ride only when you’ve landed and collected luggage.

Missed Connections: If your connection is in Chicago and you miss it due to delays, you’ll need different ground transportation than planned. Having a professional service that can adapt is valuable.

Booking Strategy for Delay Resilience

Professional Service (Recommended):

Book the night before or earlier
Provide your flight number
Professional services monitor your flight
Free rescheduling if you’re delayed
No surge pricing even if you request a ride at peak times

Rideshare:

Book only when you’re ready to leave your origin
No advance booking for specific times
Can request anytime
Surge pricing if many others are also delayed
Good for unpredictable arrival times

Hybrid Approach: Book professional service for outbound (you know your departure time), rideshare for return (more unpredictable).

What to Do If Severely Delayed

Overnight Delays

If your flight is delayed past the last available connection (typically after 9-10 PM for next flights), the airline must provide accommodations.

Chicago Airports near Hotels:

ORD area: 50+ hotels within 2 miles, many offering free airport shuttle
MDW area: 20+ hotels within 2 miles

Airlines typically book hotels automatically for oversold flights but require you to request them for mechanical delays. Keep receipts and documentation.

Long Wait Times (4+ Hours)

While waiting:

Use Priority Pass lounges if you have them through your credit card or airline status
Work from the airport - ORD has excellent WiFi
Exercise - Walk the terminals, you’re looking at hours
Eat properly - Airports have restaurants, not just fast food
Stay hydrated - Planes are dry; flights are dehydrating

Connecting in Chicago

If you have a tight connection and get delayed, airline agents work hard to re-accommodate you. However:

International to domestic: minimum 2 hours
Domestic to domestic: minimum 1.5 hours
If you miss the connection, airline rebooking applies
Ground transportation between terminals: 20-30 minutes maximum

Preparing Your Traveling Companions

If traveling with others:

Brief them on potential delays before the trip
Share flight information
Agree on communication protocols
Plan activities during potential layovers
Have backup accommodation plans

Special Considerations for Chicago

Snow Operations

Chicago airports have extensive snow removal equipment and experienced crews. Recent winters have seen significant improvements in snow management. However:

First snow of season (November) often causes delays as protocols are reactivated
Significant accumulation (6+ inches) still impacts operations
Early morning flights most affected as snow from overnight hasn’t been completely cleared
Afternoon operations usually normalized

Pro tip: Avoid morning flights November 1-15 if major snow is forecasted.

Construction and Infrastructure Changes

Both ORD and MDW have ongoing modernization projects:

Terminal renovations occasionally reduce capacity
Runway maintenance windows create reduced operations
New facilities come online periodically

Check the airport websites before traveling to understand current construction status.

Holiday Periods

Thanksgiving week and December 18-January 2 see explosive travel demand:

Delays increase 40-50% from baseline
Ground stops more likely
Airports more congested
Book earlier than usual; plan for delays

Managing Ground Transportation Around Delays

Royal Carriage Advantage: Our advanced flight monitoring system means:

We know your flight status before you do
Free rescheduling and adjustments
Flat-rate pricing with no surge charges
Professional drivers who understand Chicago airport complexity
24/7 availability

For your next Chicago trip, book with confidence knowing your ground transportation automatically adjusts to your flight status. Call (224) 801-3090 or book online.

Remember: Flight delays happen to everyone. The difference is in how you prepare and respond. By understanding the causes, knowing your rights, and planning your ground transportation strategically, you can minimize disruption and ensure that when you land in Chicago, reliable transportation is waiting for you.

Planning a trip to Chicago? Book your airport transportation 24 hours in advance and let us monitor your flight. We’ll be there waiting, regardless of delays.