Minneapolis (MSP) to Denver (DEN): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Minneapolis (MSP) to Denver (DEN) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 91% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 62% — a 30-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 (86% vs 66%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 78%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 15 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.6%
- Flights/day
- 16
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 13m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 680 mi
Best airline from MSP to DEN
5 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyWest Airlinesmost reliable | 92% | 13 min | 1.9% | 260 |
| Frontier Airlines | 81% | 16 min | 0.9% | 1,286 |
| United Airlines | 80% | 17 min | 0.5% | 3,291 |
| Southwest Airlines | 77% | 15 min | 0.3% | 3,677 |
| Delta Air Lines | 77% | 15 min | 0.8% | 3,777 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MSP to DEN
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (56%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 16 min |
| Tuesday | 79% | 14 min |
| Wednesday | 79% | 14 min |
| Thursday | 77% | 16 min |
| Friday | 78% | 17 min |
| Saturdaybest | 81% | 14 min |
| Sunday | 78% | 16 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft32%
- Airline operations30%
- National airspace system36%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MSP to DEN delayed?
- 22% of MSP–DEN 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 MSP to DEN?
- SkyWest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 92%, based on 260 flights. 5 airlines flew MSP–DEN frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MSP to DEN?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (56%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MSP to DEN?
- The scheduled MSP–DEN flight time averages 2h 13m over 680 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 22% of the time.
- How often are MSP to DEN flights cancelled?
- 0.6% 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 MSP to DEN?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 62% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 30-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
- Return route: DEN to MSP on-time stats
- Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field departure performance
- Denver International Airport airport reliability
- Delta Air Lines on-time record
- Southwest Airlines on-time record
- United Airlines on-time record
- Frontier Airlines on-time record
More routes from MSP
Other ways to fly to Denver (DEN)
Related guides
Based on 12,291 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.