Chicago (MDW) to Atlanta (ATL): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Chicago (MDW) to Atlanta (ATL) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 89% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 68% — a 22-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 81% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (86% vs 71%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 14 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.4%
- 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 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 86% | 14 min | 1.9% | 2,983 |
| Southwest Airlines | 80% | 12 min | 0.9% | 3,226 |
| Frontier Airlines | 70% | 19 min | 1.7% | 1,109 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MDW to ATL
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (53%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 80% | 16 min |
| Tuesday | 82% | 15 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 84% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 82% | 13 min |
| Friday | 80% | 14 min |
| Saturday | 82% | 13 min |
| Sunday | 76% | 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 system19%
- Weather3%
- Security1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MDW to ATL delayed?
- 19% of MDW–ATL 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 14 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from MDW to ATL?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 86%, based on 2,983 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 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 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 19% of the time.
- How often are MDW to ATL flights cancelled?
- 1.4% 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 MDW to ATL?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 68% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 22-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 7,318 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.