Minneapolis (MSP) to Chicago (MDW): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Minneapolis (MSP) to Chicago (MDW) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 94% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 62% — a 32-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 (87% vs 72%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 12 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.0%
- Flights/day
- 6.6
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 35m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 349 mi
Best airline from MSP to MDW
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlinesmost reliable | 82% | 10 min | 1.1% | 3,534 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 80% | 14 min | 0.8% | 1,898 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MSP to MDW
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (95% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (66%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 80% | 12 min |
| Tuesday | 84% | 10 min |
| Wednesday | 82% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 81% | 12 min |
| Friday | 79% | 13 min |
| Saturdaybest | 85% | 9 min |
| Sunday | 80% | 13 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 operations41%
- National airspace system17%
- Weather10%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MSP to MDW delayed?
- 19% of MSP–MDW 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 12 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from MSP to MDW?
- Southwest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 82%, based on 3,534 flights. 2 airlines flew MSP–MDW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MSP to MDW?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (95% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (66%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MSP to MDW?
- The scheduled MSP–MDW flight time averages 1h 35m over 349 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 19% of the time.
- How often are MSP to MDW 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 MSP to MDW?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 62% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 94%. If your dates are flexible, that 32-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 5,432 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.