Orlando (MCO) to Chicago (MDW): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Orlando (MCO) to Chicago (MDW) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2024, 89% of arrivals were on time; in March 2026 that fell to 63% — a 26-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 74% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (88% vs 59%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 74%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 17 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.7%
- Flights/day
- 7.6
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 51m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 990 mi
Best airline from MCO to MDW
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier Airlinesmost reliable | 77% | 21 min | 2.0% | 502 |
| Southwest Airlines | 73% | 16 min | 1.7% | 5,288 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MCO to MDW
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (93% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (53%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 71% | 21 min |
| Tuesday | 79% | 13 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 80% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 74% | 16 min |
| Friday | 75% | 16 min |
| Saturday | 72% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 67% | 23 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft42%
- Airline operations30%
- National airspace system18%
- Weather9%
- Security1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MCO to MDW delayed?
- 26% of MCO–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 17 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from MCO to MDW?
- Frontier Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 77%, based on 502 flights. 2 airlines flew MCO–MDW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MCO to MDW?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (93% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (53%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MCO to MDW?
- The scheduled MCO–MDW flight time averages 2h 51m over 990 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 26% of the time.
- How often are MCO to MDW flights cancelled?
- 1.7% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from MCO to MDW?
- March 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 63% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 26-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 5,790 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.