Chicago (MDW) to Minneapolis (MSP): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Chicago (MDW) to Minneapolis (MSP) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 92% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 56% — a 36-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 78% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (85% vs 72%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 78%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 15 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.9%
- Flights/day
- 6.5
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 34m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 349 mi
Best airline from MDW to MSP
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyWest Airlinesmost reliable | 80% | 18 min | 0.7% | 1,898 |
| Southwest Airlines | 77% | 14 min | 1.0% | 3,490 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MDW to MSP
Aim for departures around 8 a.m. (92% on-time); avoid 9 p.m. departures (57%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 74% | 17 min |
| Tuesday | 82% | 11 min |
| Wednesday | 80% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 74% | 19 min |
| Friday | 77% | 16 min |
| Saturdaybest | 84% | 10 min |
| Sunday | 77% | 20 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft27%
- Airline operations45%
- National airspace system16%
- Weather12%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MDW to MSP delayed?
- 22% of MDW–MSP 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 MSP?
- SkyWest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 80%, based on 1,898 flights. 2 airlines flew MDW–MSP frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MDW to MSP?
- Departures around 8 a.m. have the best record (92% on-time), while departures around 9 p.m. have the worst (57%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MDW to MSP?
- The scheduled MDW–MSP flight time averages 1h 34m over 349 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 22% of the time.
- How often are MDW to MSP flights cancelled?
- 0.9% 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 MSP?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 56% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 36-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 5,388 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.