Direct flights from Washington (DCA) to Chicago (MDW): 7 nonstop departures observed each week across 1 airline. 25% of the last 12 operated flights arrived within 15 minutes of schedule. The median arrival is 45 minutes late. 1 of the 12 tracked flights was cancelled. The nonstop covers 964 km, an estimated 1 hour 44 minutes in the air. Measured by Pro Flight Search from live flight boards at Washington and Chicago. Updated 18 October 2026 at 00:20 UTC.
Today, DCA → MDW
Sat 17 Oct · local times
WN818Southwest AirlinesIn the air, 45 min late
Left DCA at 19:25, 45 min after its 18:40 slot.
Likely landing
about 20:00middle half 19:54 to 20:12 · sched 19:45
Landing estimate from 148,498 tracked flights of 2 to 4 hours that left 30 to 59 min late. The MDW board has not posted a landing time yet. How planes make up time
Pro Flight Search records official board updates for nonstop DCA to MDW flights through the day: schedules, estimates, gate pushes and actual departures. The verdict above comes from operated flights, so it reflects what this route does rather than what the timetable promises.
Smooth skies ahead. The departure side at DCA is the weaker end, route health score 91/100. The airports section above carries the live status and delay window at both ends.
Morning or evening flight on DCA–MDW?
Operators schedule morning departures around 06:55 and evening departures around 18:35 from DCA. Earlier flights typically land before destination-airport delays accumulate later in the day; check the MDW delay card to confirm conditions when you'd arrive.
How long is the flight from DCA to MDW?
Great-circle distance is 964 km. With typical jet cruise speed plus taxi, climb and descent, expect roughly 98–113 min gate-to-gate on this route.
How often does DCA–MDW fly?
Southwest Airlines runs the route with about 41 flights a week (daily). Since one carrier owns the route, a single disruption tends to ripple through the day.
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