Background Early repair is recommended in type A aortic dissection repair, however, this is not often possible. The aim of this study was to assess the time delays, examine the effect of timing and malperfusion on outcomes, and identify other independent risk factors for mortality. Methods This was a retrospective study on data collected prospectively. Primary outcome was 30‐day mortality. Secondary outcome was adverse postoperative outcomes. All patients who arrived at the hospital with a type A aortic dissection, irrespective of the timing, were included in the study. Univariate as well as multivariate analysis was carried out. Results A total of 81 patients presented to our institution during the study period. Half the patients got operated within 86 h of symptom onset and 75% were operated within 183 h. With regards to malperfusion, 6 (8.8%) patients had cerebral malperfusion, 10 (14.7%) had features of myocardial ischemia, and 13 (19.1%) had renal malperfusion. One (1.5%) patient had mesenteric ischemia and 9 (13.2%) had limb ischemia. The duration between symptom onset and operative repair was longer in survivors (152 ± 167 vs. 75 ± 102, p = .29). A total of 29 (42.6%) patients presented with features of one or more organ malperfusion and the mortality in these patients was significantly higher at 10 (34.5%) versus 5 (12.5%); p = .04. Multivariable logistic regression identified CPB time as an independent risk factor in our cohort for 30‐day mortality (odds ratio: 1.03; 95% confidence interval: 1.007–1.06). Conclusion In cases of predominantly delayed presentation and operative repair, the outcome is significantly influenced by presence of malperfusion. Surgical repair still produces satisfactory outcomes and should be undertaken at the earliest in most cases.