Chicago Airport Delays: What's The Holdup?

As of January 2025, Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is experiencing some delays. Arrival and departure traffic is experiencing airborne, gate hold, and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less. In addition, some destinations are experiencing delays of up to 2 hours due to weather conditions.

Delays at Chicago O'Hare International Airport

As of the 5th of January 2025, Chicago O'Hare International Airport is experiencing general departure and arrival delays of 15 minutes or less. These are due to gate hold and taxi delays.

On the 1st of January 2025, the airport was experiencing similar delays, but with the addition of specific delays to two destinations: Aspen-Pitkin Co/Sardy Field Airport, Aspen, CO (ASE) and Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC (IAD). The former delays were due to weather and low ceilings, with an average delay time of 2 hours and 17 minutes. The latter delays were due to weather and wind, with an average delay time of 1 hour and 9 minutes.

It is always recommended to check with your airline to determine if your flight is affected by any delays, as the status information provided by the airport indicates general airport conditions and is not flight-specific.

Delays can be caused by a variety of factors, including weather conditions, air traffic congestion, and operational issues. It is important for passengers to stay updated on the status of their flights and to allow for enough time when travelling to and from the airport to account for any potential delays.

Causes of airport delays

There are a multitude of reasons why an airport may experience delays. These reasons can be attributed to factors both within and beyond the control of airport management. Here are some of the primary causes of airport delays, as illustrated by the example of Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD):

Weather Conditions:

• Unfavourable weather is a significant contributor to airport delays. Low ceilings, strong winds, snow, and other adverse meteorological conditions can disrupt flight schedules, causing both departure and arrival delays.
• For instance, at the time of writing, ORD is experiencing delays due to weather conditions such as low ceilings and wind, affecting flights to destinations like Aspen and Washington, DC, respectively.

Air Traffic Congestion:

• High volumes of air traffic can result in gate hold and taxi delays for departing flights, as well as airborne delays for arriving flights.
• At ORD, both departure and arrival traffic experienced brief delays of 15 minutes or less due to congestion.

Technical Issues:

Occasionally, technical problems with aircraft or airport equipment can lead to delays. These issues may include mechanical failures, ground equipment malfunctions, or issues with air traffic control systems.

Staffing Shortages:

Insufficient staffing levels, such as a lack of ground crew, pilots, or air traffic controllers, can impact an airport's ability to efficiently manage flight operations, resulting in delays.

Security and Safety Concerns:

Security breaches, emergency situations, or unforeseen safety inspections can cause disruptions and delays in airport operations. These delays ensure that proper security measures are in place and potential threats are addressed.

It's important to note that delays at airports like Chicago O'Hare International Airport can be influenced by a combination of these factors, and effective management of these challenges is crucial to minimising their impact on travellers.

Real-time airport status updates

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

As of 8:56 PM GMT on January 1, 2025, the Chicago O'Hare International Airport is experiencing the following conditions:

Departure Delays

Due to weather conditions, including low ceilings, departure flights to Aspen-Pitkin Co/Sardy Field Airport in Aspen, CO (ASE), are facing delays of approximately 2 hours and 17 minutes. Similarly, flights headed to Washington Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC (IAD), are experiencing delays of about 1 hour and 9 minutes due to wind and weather conditions.

Additionally, there are general departure delays at Gate Hold, with taxi delays lasting 15 minutes or less.

Arrival Delays

Arrival traffic is also impacted, with airborne delays of 15 minutes or less.

Weather Conditions

The current weather at the airport includes partly cloudy skies, with lows around 10 degrees Celsius. Northwest winds are blowing at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph.

Future Weather Forecast

The weather forecast for tomorrow, January 2, predicts a mostly sunny morning, followed by partly cloudy conditions in the afternoon. High temperatures are expected to be in the lower 20s, with west winds maintaining speeds of 10 to 15 mph. Gusts of up to 20 mph are anticipated in the morning.

Additional Information

This real-time airport status update is provided by the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center. Please note that this information indicates general airport conditions and may not apply to specific flights. For flight-specific details, it is recommended to contact your airline directly.

How to avoid airport delays

While it is impossible to completely avoid airport delays, there are some steps you can take to reduce the chances of your flight being delayed. Here are some tips on how to avoid airport delays:

Research and Planning

Before booking your flight, do some research on the flight and the airport to understand the likelihood of delays.

• Check the history of a flight by entering the flight number on the U.S. Bureau of Transportation website. This will help you make an informed decision about booking the flight.
• Book flights with airlines that have a history of being punctual. OAG's Punctuality League report is a great resource to find the most punctual airlines.
• Use FlightAware to find out how often a specific flight is typically delayed. This tool can help you choose a flight that has a better on-time performance record.
• Book non-stop flights. With non-stop flights, you only have to worry about one departure, reducing the chances of delays.
• Book flights from airports that rank high on punctuality. Some of the most punctual U.S. airports include Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• Avoid peak travel seasons and busy travel days, such as the day before and after Thanksgiving.
• Check the weather forecast for both your departure and arrival airports. Avoid flying during extreme weather conditions, such as snowstorms or heavy rain, which can cause delays.

At the Airport

• Arrive at the airport early, giving yourself ample time to check-in and clear security. A good rule of thumb is to arrive 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight.
• Follow all baggage and carry-on restrictions to ensure a smooth security check. Pack your carry-on luggage loosely and have your identification and boarding pass readily available.
• If possible, avoid checking a bag. This will save time at check-in and reduce the risk of losing your luggage in case of delays.

Remember, even with careful planning, delays can still occur due to unforeseen circumstances. Stay informed about your flight status and be prepared for potential delays by carrying essential items with you, such as your phone, reading material, and any necessary medications.

Alternative routes to avoid delays

Chicago's airports are notoriously prone to delays. Chicago Midway Airport was the most delayed airport in the US in December 2022, with 47% of flights delayed. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is also often affected by delays.

If you're travelling to or from Chicago, and want to avoid delays, there are a few alternative routes you can consider. Firstly, you could choose to fly at a different time of day. Almost always, on-time performance deteriorates throughout the day at major airports, so if you arrive early and depart on an early flight, you're more likely to avoid delays.

You could also consider flying via a different airport. If you're travelling to or from the Midwest, you could look at flying via Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which has a good on-time record, or Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which is a large hub with a relatively low percentage of delays. If you're travelling internationally, you could consider a connecting flight via the West Coast, through an airport like Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which, despite a high volume of traffic, has a relatively low percentage of delays.

If you're travelling within the US, you could also consider alternative modes of transport, such as rail or road. For example, if you're travelling to the East Coast, you could take the Amtrak train from Chicago Union Station to New York, Boston, or Washington, DC. Alternatively, you could hire a car and drive, which would allow you to avoid the airports entirely.

Frequently asked questions