Chicago (ORD) to Madison (MSN): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Chicago (ORD) to Madison (MSN) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 87% of arrivals were on time; in January 2026 that fell to 57% — a 30-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 74% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (79% vs 67%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 74%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 21 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.7%
- Flights/day
- 11
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 5m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 108 mi
Best airline from ORD to MSN
5 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 83% | 13 min | 1.5% | 1,219 |
| Envoy Air | 77% | 16 min | 3.0% | 1,869 |
| United Airlines | 69% | 22 min | 1.7% | 1,445 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 69% | 28 min | 3.6% | 2,135 |
| PSA Airlines | 50% | 65 min | 10.2% | 108 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ORD to MSN
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (93% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (60%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 73% | 22 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 79% | 16 min |
| Wednesday | 73% | 21 min |
| Thursday | 72% | 22 min |
| Friday | 71% | 22 min |
| Saturday | 74% | 20 min |
| Sunday | 72% | 25 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft42%
- Airline operations29%
- National airspace system16%
- Weather14%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ORD to MSN delayed?
- 27% of ORD–MSN 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 21 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from ORD to MSN?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 83%, based on 1,219 flights. 5 airlines flew ORD–MSN frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from ORD to MSN?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (93% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (60%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from ORD to MSN?
- The scheduled ORD–MSN flight time averages 1h 5m over 108 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 27% of the time.
- How often are ORD to MSN flights cancelled?
- 2.7% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from ORD to MSN?
- January 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 57% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 87%. If your dates are flexible, that 30-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 6,779 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.