Route on-time record

DTW to MDW: most on-time flights and the best time to fly

Detroit (Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport) to Chicago (Chicago Midway International Airport). 1,388 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 78% arrived within 15 minutes and 1.2% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was Southwest 878 at 1:00 PM.

Flying on a specific date? We’ll adjust for the month, the weekday and the forecast.

DTW → MDW

Detroit to Chicago: 1,388 nonstop flights a year

On time (12 months)

78%

Cancelled

1.2%

avg delay 14 min

Best time to leave

3 to 6 PM

84% on time vs 71% 6 to 9 PM

Most reliable airline

Southwest

77% chance on time

Check DTW to MDW fares

Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $234 (Southwest 1845 on 2026-10-24). Fares open on our travel partner (Aviasales). Pick the flight number you chose here.

Most reliable nonstop flights

Ranked by the chance the flight operates and arrives within 15 minutes of schedule, from Jun 2025 to May 2026 records.

#1 · Southwest 878
1:00 PM → 1:10 PM1h 10m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-29.
83%
chance on time
On time (history)
85%
Cancelled
0.0%
Avg arrival delay
8 min
- Arrived on time 85% of the time (39 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Never cancelled in 39 scheduled flights.
- Departs inside DTW's trouble window: 64% of its 28 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
- Short track record (39 flights), so its score leans on the airline's record at this hour.
Limited track record · 39 flights
Find Southwest 878 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#2 · Southwest 2861
8:25 AM → 8:45 AM1h 20m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-04-06.
81%
chance on time
On time (history)
87%
Cancelled
6.1%
Avg arrival delay
7 min
- Arrived on time 87% of the time (30 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 6.1% of the time (2 of 33).
- Departs outside DTW's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 64% of its 28 ground stops and delay programs started).
- Lands inside MDW's trouble window: 50% of its 30 ground stops and delay programs started between 7 AM and 1 PM.
Limited track record · 30 flights
Find Southwest 2861 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#3 · Southwest 2587
8:40 AM → 9:00 AM1h 20m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
79%
chance on time
On time (history)
78%
Cancelled
0.0%
Avg arrival delay
13 min
- Arrived on time 78% of the time (55 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Never cancelled in 55 scheduled flights.
- Departs outside DTW's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 64% of its 28 ground stops and delay programs started).
- Lands inside MDW's trouble window: 50% of its 30 ground stops and delay programs started between 7 AM and 1 PM.
Limited track record · 55 flights
Find Southwest 2587 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#4 · Southwest 459
1:25 PM → 1:35 PM1h 10m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-04-06.
77%
chance on time
On time (history)
70%
Cancelled
0.0%
Avg arrival delay
14 min
- Arrived on time 70% of the time (23 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Departs inside DTW's trouble window: 64% of its 28 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
- 57% of its delay minutes came from the plane arriving late from an earlier flight.
- Short track record (23 flights), so its score leans on the airline's record at this hour.
Limited track record · 23 flights
Find Southwest 459 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#5 · Southwest 1853
5:05 PM → 5:15 PM1h 10m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-30.
74%
chance on time
On time (history)
63%
Cancelled
0.0%
Avg arrival delay
11 min
- Arrived on time 63% of the time (8 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (3 to 6 PM: 84% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 71%).
- Departs inside DTW's trouble window: 64% of its 28 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
- 56% of its delay minutes came from the plane arriving late from an earlier flight.
Limited track record · 8 flights
Find Southwest 1853 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#6 · Southwest 3718
7:15 PM → 7:30 PM1h 15m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-04-05.
71%
chance on time
On time (history)
71%
Cancelled
5.6%
Avg arrival delay
16 min
- Arrived on time 71% of the time (17 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's least on-time window (6 to 9 PM: 71% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 84%).
- Departs outside DTW's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 64% of its 28 ground stops and delay programs started).
- 80% of its delay minutes came from the plane arriving late from an earlier flight.
Limited track record · 17 flights
Find Southwest 3718 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
#7 · Southwest 2141
8:30 PM → 8:45 PM1h 15m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-29. Same departure also flew as Southwest 1422; its record covers all of them.
64%
chance on time
On time (history)
59%
Cancelled
1.7%
Avg arrival delay
29 min
- Arrived on time 59% of the time (59 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's least on-time window (6 to 9 PM: 71% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 84%).
- Departs outside DTW's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 64% of its 28 ground stops and delay programs started).
- Short track record (59 flights), so its score leans on the airline's record at this hour.
Limited track record · 59 flights
Find Southwest 2141 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

Airlines on this route

Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.

Southwest Airlines77%
1,058 flights · 78% on time as flown · 1.4% cancel
SkyWest Airlines (sold as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle or Alaska)76%
330 flights · 78% on time as flown · 0.6% cancel

On time by departure time

All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.

Before 9 AM83%
517 flights · avg delay 12 min
Noon to 3 PM83%
304 flights · avg delay 10 min
3 to 6 PM84%
52 flights · avg delay 8 min
6 to 9 PM71%
475 flights · avg delay 19 min

Best day: Saturday (85%). Worst: Thursday (78%).

On time by month

All airlines, Jun 2023 to May 2026. Several years per month, so one stormy season doesn't define a month. Travel-month estimates use this seasonal pattern.

What delays this route

Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)39%
Late-arriving aircraft31%
Air traffic control and airport volume25%
Severe weather5%

Share of delay minutes by the cause airlines report to the US DOT.

Historical odds, not a guarantee. Built from the US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics on-time reports (Jun 2025 to May 2026), FAA ground stop and delay program advisories, and 20 years of airport weather observations. Covers US airlines that report to the DOT; schedules are flights operated recently, so confirm times when you book. ATIS Alerts is not affiliated with any airline. Fares are what Aviasales travelers saw in recent searches (USD, one way, 1 adult), not live quotes; the partner site shows the current price. Fare links go to our travel partner and may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Affiliate disclosure

DTW to MDW questions

What time of day is best to fly DTW to MDW?: 3 to 6 PM: 84% of flights arrived on time, against 71% for departures 6 to 9 PM.
Which airline is most on time from DTW to MDW?: Southwest, with a season-adjusted 77% chance of operating and arriving on time over 1,058 flights. The adjustment compares each airline with what the route did in the months it flew, so a carrier that skipped a stormy month gets no free credit.
What is the worst month for delays on DTW to MDW?: January (72% on time); the best was October (89%), averaged over Jun 2023 to May 2026.
Is this a prediction for my flight?: No. These are historical odds from the US DOT on-time reports, FAA advisories and airport weather records. Check your flight status and the FAA delay board on the day you fly.

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