Best Time to Fly BUF to MDW: On-Time Stats by Hour & Airline
Buffalo Niagara International → Chicago Midway International
Data through July 2026 · Last updated October 18, 2026
Over the last 12 months, 76.8% of Buffalo (BUF) to Chicago (MDW) flights arrived on time (824 scheduled flights). That is 0.8 points below the national average of 77.6%.
Southwest Airlines was the only reporting airline with regular flights on this route.
October has been the best month (90% on time) and Saturday the weakest day of the week (75%).
1.3% of flights were cancelled, versus 1.8% nationally.
BUF to MDW on-time performance by airline
Last 12 months. Airlines with fewer than 30 completed flights are marked “limited data”.
| Airline | On time | Avg delay when late | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | 76.8% | 58 min | 1.3% | 824 |
80%+ good 70–79.9% fair <70% poor
Best time of day to fly BUF to MDW
On-time arrival % by scheduled departure hour (local time), 1,567 flights over 24 months.
Show the numbers
| Departure hour | On time | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5am–6am | 86.8% | 0.0% | 38 |
| 6am–7am | 91.3% | 1.0% | 407 |
| 7am–8am | 94.4% | 1.8% | 109 |
| 8am–9am | 86.5% | 0.0% | 142 |
| 9am–10am | Limited data | 1 | |
| 10am–11am | Limited data | 7 | |
| 11am–12pm | 86.4% | 0.0% | 60 |
| 12pm–1pm | 79.8% | 1.2% | 80 |
| 1pm–2pm | Limited data | 25 | |
| 2pm–3pm | 81.8% | 2.9% | 34 |
| 3pm–4pm | 80.0% | 0.0% | 75 |
| 4pm–5pm | 60.0% | 0.0% | 60 |
| 5pm–6pm | Limited data | 20 | |
| 6pm–7pm | 79.9% | 0.0% | 169 |
| 7pm–8pm | 61.2% | 1.9% | 157 |
| 8pm–9pm | 64.5% | 1.9% | 158 |
| 9pm–10pm | Limited data | 25 | |
Best day of the week
24 months, by day of departure.
Best month to fly
24 months, by calendar month.
Holiday travel on BUF to MDW
On-time arrivals during holiday periods compared with all other days, last 24 months.
| Period | On time | vs other days | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving week (Tue before to Mon after) | Limited data | 26 | ||
| Christmas & New Year (Dec 20 - Jan 3) | 72.4% | -10.7 pts | 1.7% | 59 |
| Summer peak (Jun 15 - Aug 15) | 73.9% | -9.2 pts | 1.3% | 373 |
| All other days | 83.1% | — | 0.6% | 1,109 |
Monthly on-time trend
On-time arrival % each month, with the 12-month US average for reference.
What causes delays on this route
Share of reported delay minutes, last 12 months (BTS cause categories).