Chicago (ORD) to Madison (MSN): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Chicago (ORD) to Madison (MSN) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 87% of arrivals were on time; in June 2024 that fell to 57% — a 30-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 73% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (78% vs 66%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 73%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 22 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.6%
- 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 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 84% | 13 min | 1.2% | 1,207 |
| Envoy Air | 75% | 18 min | 2.8% | 1,635 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 69% | 29 min | 3.6% | 1,990 |
| United Airlines | 68% | 22 min | 1.3% | 1,343 |
| PSA Airlines | 50% | 65 min | 10.2% | 108 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ORD to MSN
Aim for departures around 9 a.m. (81% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (60%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 72% | 23 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 77% | 18 min |
| Wednesday | 72% | 21 min |
| Thursday | 71% | 23 min |
| Friday | 71% | 22 min |
| Saturday | 75% | 20 min |
| Sunday | 71% | 26 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%
- Weather13%
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 2024-06 and 2026-05. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 22 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from ORD to MSN?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 84%, based on 1,207 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 9 a.m. have the best record (81% 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?
- 2.6% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from ORD to MSN?
- June 2024 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 6,286 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.