ILLINOIS — If you’re planning a flight out of central Illinois, you may want to reconsider your itinerary. Decatur Airport has just been ranked the worst in the country for flight delays, according to a new study that analyzed millions of U.S. flights in 2024.
Decatur Tops the National List for Delays
The study, conducted by Exoticca, reviewed over 7.5 million flights using federal Bureau of Transportation Statistics data. Among all U.S. airports, Decatur Airport clocked the worst average departure delay at 32.89 minutes.
While many may expect Chicago O’Hare to be the culprit, Decatur took the unfortunate top spot. It wasn’t alone: MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Belleville ranked 10th, and Chicago Rockford International Airport came in 19th, making Illinois home to three of the top 20 worst airports for delays nationwide.
More Than Just Delays — Cancellations Also High
Alongside delays, Decatur saw 2.31% of its flights canceled in 2024. Belleville fared even worse with a 2.55% cancellation rate, compounding frustration for travelers in southern Illinois.
According to the report published via TimeOut Chicago, the ranking was a result of small-scale operations combined with poor disruption management. Minor issues—ranging from weather and mechanical hiccups to staffing gaps—have a larger-than-normal impact at these smaller airports.
Why Is Decatur So Delay-Prone?
With limited commercial service, Decatur Airport lacks flexibility when problems arise. A single grounded aircraft or delayed crew can trigger ripple effects for hours. Fewer rerouting options and minimal staff only intensify the delays.
Decatur edged out other underperforming airports in Plattsburgh, NY, Mason City, IA, and Concord, NC, securing its spot as America’s most delay-ridden airport of 2024.
Consider Alternatives If You Can
For frequent fliers in Illinois, this data offers a clear message: build in buffer time or opt for larger regional airports with more flight choices and better delay mitigation systems. While Decatur serves a valuable role for the community, its lack of infrastructure makes it a risky choice for time-sensitive travel.
As air traffic rebounds across the country, travelers are being urged to do their homework — especially in delay-heavy regions like Illinois.
Have you experienced flight delays from Decatur or other Illinois airports? Do smaller airports deserve more investment for reliability? Share your thoughts at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
