Chicago (MDW) to San Diego (SAN): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Chicago (MDW) to San Diego (SAN) effectively runs on two schedules. In August 2024, 86% of arrivals were on time; in June 2026 that fell to 50% — a 36-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 75% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (81% vs 66%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 75%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 13 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.0%
- Flights/day
- 3.0
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 4h 19m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,728 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MDW to SAN
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (93% on-time); avoid 9 p.m. departures (51%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 73% | 15 min |
| Tuesday | 77% | 10 min |
| Wednesday | 80% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 71% | 17 min |
| Friday | 74% | 14 min |
| Saturdaybest | 80% | 12 min |
| Sunday | 72% | 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 aircraft37%
- Airline operations35%
- National airspace system24%
- Weather3%
- Security1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MDW to SAN delayed?
- 25% of MDW–SAN 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 13 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MDW to SAN?
- Departures around 7 a.m. have the best record (93% on-time), while departures around 9 p.m. have the worst (51%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MDW to SAN?
- The scheduled MDW–SAN flight time averages 4h 19m over 1,728 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 25% of the time.
- How often are MDW to SAN flights cancelled?
- 1% 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 SAN?
- June 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 50% of arrivals on time. The best was August 2024 at 86%. If your dates are flexible, that 36-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,203 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.