Minneapolis (MSP) to Phoenix (PHX): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Minneapolis (MSP) to Phoenix (PHX) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 91% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 65% — a 26-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 (86% vs 73%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 14 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.7%
- Flights/day
- 8.3
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 26m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,276 mi
Best airline from MSP to PHX
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlinesmost reliable | 91% | 7 min | 0.6% | 700 |
| Frontier Airlines | 85% | 12 min | 1.1% | 271 |
| American Airlines | 80% | 17 min | 0.9% | 1,398 |
| Delta Air Lines | 80% | 15 min | 0.6% | 4,334 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MSP to PHX
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (68%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 80% | 15 min |
| Tuesday | 83% | 12 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 84% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 80% | 15 min |
| Friday | 80% | 15 min |
| Saturday | 83% | 15 min |
| Sunday | 79% | 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 aircraft28%
- Airline operations53%
- National airspace system17%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MSP to PHX delayed?
- 19% of MSP–PHX 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 14 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from MSP to PHX?
- Southwest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 91%, based on 700 flights. 4 airlines flew MSP–PHX frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MSP to PHX?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (68%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MSP to PHX?
- The scheduled MSP–PHX flight time averages 3h 26m over 1,276 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 19% of the time.
- How often are MSP to PHX flights cancelled?
- 0.7% 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 PHX?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 65% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 26-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
- Return route: PHX to MSP on-time stats
- Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field departure performance
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport airport reliability
- Delta Air Lines on-time record
- American Airlines on-time record
- Southwest Airlines on-time record
- Frontier Airlines on-time record
More routes from MSP
Other ways to fly to Phoenix (PHX)
Related guides
Based on 6,705 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.