Denver (DEN) to Madison (MSN): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Denver (DEN) to Madison (MSN) effectively runs on two schedules. In April 2026, 92% of arrivals were on time; in July 2025 that fell to 66% — a 26-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 79% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (85% vs 71%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 13 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.6%
- Flights/day
- 2.9
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 13m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 826 mi
Best airline from DEN to MSN
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyWest Airlinesmost reliable | 87% | 6 min | 0.4% | 284 |
| United Airlines | 78% | 14 min | 0.7% | 1,534 |
| Frontier Airlines | 77% | 17 min | 0.3% | 338 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DEN to MSN
Aim for departures around 1 p.m. (87% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (61%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Mondaybest | 84% | 11 min |
| Tuesday | 81% | 13 min |
| Wednesday | 79% | 13 min |
| Thursday | 79% | 13 min |
| Friday | 77% | 15 min |
| Saturday | 78% | 13 min |
| Sunday | 78% | 14 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft48%
- Airline operations33%
- National airspace system16%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DEN to MSN delayed?
- 21% of DEN–MSN flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-06 and 2026-05. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 13 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DEN to MSN?
- SkyWest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 87%, based on 284 flights. 3 airlines flew DEN–MSN frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DEN to MSN?
- Departures around 1 p.m. have the best record (87% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (61%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DEN to MSN?
- The scheduled DEN–MSN flight time averages 2h 13m over 826 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are DEN to MSN flights cancelled?
- 0.6% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DEN to MSN?
- July 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 66% of arrivals on time. The best was April 2026 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 26-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,156 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.