Minneapolis (MSP) to Seattle (SEA): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Minneapolis (MSP) to Seattle (SEA) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2024, 95% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 52% — a 43-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 82% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (90% vs 75%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 82%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 11 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.8%
- Flights/day
- 7.4
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 56m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,399 mi
Best airline from MSP to SEA
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 84% | 10 min | 0.7% | 3,469 |
| Alaska Airlines | 79% | 12 min | 0.9% | 1,905 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MSP to SEA
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (95% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (55%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 82% | 12 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 85% | 9 min |
| Wednesday | 82% | 10 min |
| Thursday | 79% | 11 min |
| Friday | 82% | 13 min |
| Saturday | 84% | 10 min |
| Sunday | 82% | 12 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft30%
- Airline operations42%
- National airspace system23%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MSP to SEA delayed?
- 18% of MSP–SEA 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 11 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from MSP to SEA?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 84%, based on 3,469 flights. 2 airlines flew MSP–SEA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MSP to SEA?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (95% on-time), while departures around 7 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 MSP to SEA?
- The scheduled MSP–SEA flight time averages 3h 56m over 1,399 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 18% of the time.
- How often are MSP to SEA flights cancelled?
- 0.8% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from MSP to SEA?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 52% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 95%. If your dates are flexible, that 43-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 5,374 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.