73% of flights from Washington to Chicago arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is worse than the typical U.S. route. The 6 a.m. departures ran on time 90% of the time; the 9 p.m. ones 57%. 11% of flights arrived more than an hour late or not at all.
How late?
The on-time rate treats a flight 20 minutes late the same as one 5 hours late. Here's the split for DCA → MDW: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 54% of the time. About 1 in 12 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 60 three hours or more; 2.8% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early73%
- 15–30 min late8.6%
- 30–60 min late7.1%
- 1–2 hours late5.0%
- 2–3 hours late1.4%
- 3+ hours late1.7%
- Diverted0.7%
- Cancelled2.8%
Share of all 2,099 scheduled flights, past 12 months, by arrival time against schedule.
By airline
| Airline | Flights | On time | Cancelled | Typical arrival | 1h+ late | Avg when late | Operated by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | 2,099 | 73% | 2.8% | −2 min | 8.0% | +66 min | Southwest Airlines |
Airline = the name on the ticket. Regional flights (e.g. "Delta Connection") count under the ticketing airline, and the operator is listed.
Best time of day to fly
On-time rate by scheduled departure hour (local time at DCA). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
Last flight of the day
On DCA → MDW, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 2.8% of the time, against 2.8% for its earlier flights, about the same. It arrived 3+ hours late 2.8% of the time (earlier flights: 1.4%). It matters more than the numbers suggest. Miss an earlier flight and there's another one that evening; miss the last one and you're usually waiting until morning.
| Airline | Last departure | Last: cancelled | Last: 3h+ late | Earlier: cancelled | Next morning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | 9:00 p.m. | 2.8% | 2.8% | 2.8% | first flight 7:25 a.m. |
Last flight = the airline's last scheduled departure on this route that day, on days it flies the route at least twice; past 12 months. Times are typical scheduled times over the latest three months.
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: September (87%). Worst: July (65%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 314 | 71% | 3.8% |
| Tuesday | 309 | 78% | 2.6% |
| Wednesday | 311 | 77% | 1.6% |
| Thursday | 307 | 68% | 2.9% |
| Friday | 304 | 68% | 2.6% |
| Saturday | 248 | 82% | 2.0% |
| Sunday | 306 | 68% | 3.6% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 32 · air traffic/airport 14 · airline 12
Month by month
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 25, 2026 | 6 | 0% | 6 |
| Mar 13, 2026 | 6 | 0% | 1 |
| Jan 26, 2026 | 6 | 0% | 4 |
| Feb 16, 2026 | 5 | 0% | 0 |
| Nov 29, 2025 | 5 | 0% | 3 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Washington or Chicago. None has been clearly more reliable than DCA → MDW.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCA → MDW (this route) | 2,099 | 73% | 2.8% |
| IAD → ORD Washington Dulles to Chicago O'Hare | 2,106 | 74% | 0.9% |
| BWI → ORD Baltimore/Washington to Chicago O'Hare | 2,677 | 73% | 2.5% |
| BWI → MDW Baltimore/Washington to Chicago Midway | 1,824 | 73% | 2.4% |
| DCA → ORD Washington Reagan National to Chicago O'Hare | 7,112 | 71% | 3.6% |
Questions
How often are flights from DCA to MDW on time?
73% of 2,099 scheduled flights from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 2.8% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly DCA to MDW?
Flights scheduled to leave at 6 a.m. were the most reliable (90% on time). The 9 p.m. departures were the least (57%).
What month has the most delays from DCA to MDW?
July (65% on time). The best month is September (87%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from DCA to MDW more likely to be cancelled?
Not much. Each airline's last DCA–MDW flight of the day was cancelled 2.8% of the time over the past year, against 2.8% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- MDW → DCA (return)
- Washington Reagan National (DCA) delays by hour
- Flights into Chicago Midway (MDW)
- Southwest Airlines on-time record
- Connecting off this flight? Check the risk
Domestic flights by the airlines that report to the U.S. DOT, plus their regional partners. "On time" means arriving less than 15 minutes after schedule; cancelled and diverted flights count as not on time. Past performance is a guide, not a forecast. Method.