Chicago (MDW) to Atlanta (ATL): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Chicago (MDW) to Atlanta (ATL) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 89% of arrivals were on time; in July 2026 that fell to 65% — a 24-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 80% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (86% vs 69%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 80%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 15 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.6%
- Flights/day
- 9.7
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 57m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 591 mi
Best airline from MDW to ATL
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 85% | 14 min | 2.0% | 3,072 |
| Southwest Airlines | 78% | 13 min | 1.0% | 3,357 |
| Frontier Airlines | 70% | 20 min | 2.3% | 1,189 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MDW to ATL
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 9 p.m. departures (54%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 79% | 17 min |
| Tuesday | 83% | 14 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 84% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 80% | 13 min |
| Friday | 79% | 15 min |
| Saturday | 80% | 14 min |
| Sunday | 75% | 17 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft37%
- Airline operations40%
- National airspace system20%
- Weather3%
- Security1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MDW to ATL delayed?
- 20% of MDW–ATL 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 MDW to ATL?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 85%, based on 3,072 flights. 3 airlines flew MDW–ATL frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MDW to ATL?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 9 p.m. have the worst (54%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MDW to ATL?
- The scheduled MDW–ATL flight time averages 1h 57m over 591 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 20% of the time.
- How often are MDW to ATL flights cancelled?
- 1.6% 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 MDW to ATL?
- July 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 65% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 24-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 7,618 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.