Getting to Malpensa from Lake Orta

1. Book a taxi, about 75 EUR from Orta San Giulio. Less than 1 hour
2. Take a train from Pettenasco via Novarra and Busto Arsizio for about 11 EUR per person. 2 hours 15 minutes for an early morning departure. http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en

Thanks, Sam. Any idea why there are no trains between 8:56 am and 1:11 pm? Or am I misreading the schedule?

The train line at Lake Orta goes straight to Novara. There are no departures to Novara after the 8:56 because, I guess, it is mainly a commuter line. They don't start up again until after lunch at 13:43.
What time is your flight?
Note that most of these require a change from Novara Trenitalia station to Novara Trenord station, which is the rail company that runs the trains to Malpensa airport. Looks like you walk to the end of the under-track tunnel opposite the station and up a stairway to street level. Hang a left and cross the Trenord tracks along Via Leonardo da Vinci, then take a right along the tracks to the Trenord platforms about 100 feet away.
Then you change at Busto Arsizio to the Malpensa Express train just 10 minutes to Malpensa.

Sam, I appreciate the elaboration. Thanks much.