Denver (DEN) to Chicago (MDW): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Denver (DEN) to Chicago (MDW) effectively runs on two schedules. In December 2024, 87% of arrivals were on time; in June 2025 that fell to 58% — a 29-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 75% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (90% vs 56%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 75%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 15 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.2%
- Flights/day
- 6.1
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 22m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 895 mi
Best airline from DEN to MDW
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlinesmost reliable | 76% | 15 min | 1.2% | 4,985 |
| Frontier Airlines | 72% | 19 min | 1.3% | 467 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DEN to MDW
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (97% on-time); avoid 5 p.m. departures (51%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 75% | 16 min |
| Tuesday | 79% | 14 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 80% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 72% | 16 min |
| Friday | 74% | 16 min |
| Saturday | 78% | 14 min |
| Sunday | 70% | 18 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft53%
- Airline operations33%
- National airspace system13%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DEN to MDW delayed?
- 25% of DEN–MDW flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-07 and 2026-07. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 15 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DEN to MDW?
- Southwest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 76%, based on 4,985 flights. 2 airlines flew DEN–MDW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DEN to MDW?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (97% on-time), while departures around 5 p.m. have the worst (51%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DEN to MDW?
- The scheduled DEN–MDW flight time averages 2h 22m over 895 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 25% of the time.
- How often are DEN to MDW flights cancelled?
- 1.2% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DEN to MDW?
- June 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 58% of arrivals on time. The best was December 2024 at 87%. If your dates are flexible, that 29-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 5,452 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.