Madison (MSN) to Chicago (ORD): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Madison (MSN) to Chicago (ORD) effectively runs on two schedules. In May 2025, 85% of arrivals were on time; in December 2024 that fell to 61% — a 24-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 73% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (82% vs 58%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 73%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 23 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.7%
- Flights/day
- 11
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 9m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 108 mi
Best airline from MSN to ORD
5 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 78% | 16 min | 1.6% | 1,205 |
| Envoy Air | 76% | 16 min | 2.7% | 1,636 |
| United Airlines | 76% | 18 min | 1.6% | 1,346 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 69% | 31 min | 3.5% | 1,991 |
| PSA Airlines | 34% | 110 min | 12.0% | 108 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MSN to ORD
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (89% on-time); avoid 5 p.m. departures (55%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 73% | 23 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 77% | 22 min |
| Wednesday | 75% | 20 min |
| Thursday | 74% | 23 min |
| Friday | 71% | 24 min |
| Saturday | 75% | 20 min |
| Sunday | 70% | 29 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft38%
- Airline operations27%
- National airspace system27%
- Weather8%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MSN to ORD delayed?
- 27% of MSN–ORD 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 23 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from MSN to ORD?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 78%, based on 1,205 flights. 5 airlines flew MSN–ORD frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MSN to ORD?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (89% on-time), while departures around 5 p.m. have the worst (55%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MSN to ORD?
- The scheduled MSN–ORD flight time averages 1h 9m over 108 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 27% of the time.
- How often are MSN to ORD flights cancelled?
- 2.7% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from MSN to ORD?
- December 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 61% of arrivals on time. The best was May 2025 at 85%. If your dates are flexible, that 24-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 6,289 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.