Atlanta (ATL) to Sacramento (SMF): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Atlanta (ATL) to Sacramento (SMF) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 93% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 68% — a 24-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 81% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (88% vs 77%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 12 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.2%
- Flights/day
- 2.8
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 5h 2m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 2,092 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ATL to SMF
Aim for departures around 8 a.m. (91% on-time); avoid 5 p.m. departures (74%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 12 min |
| Tuesday | 84% | 12 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 86% | 7 min |
| Thursday | 83% | 10 min |
| Friday | 81% | 12 min |
| Saturday | 79% | 11 min |
| Sunday | 78% | 18 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft18%
- Airline operations45%
- National airspace system22%
- Weather15%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ATL to SMF delayed?
- 19% of ATL–SMF flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-07 and 2026-07. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 12 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from ATL to SMF?
- Departures around 8 a.m. have the best record (91% on-time), while departures around 5 p.m. have the worst (74%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from ATL to SMF?
- The scheduled ATL–SMF flight time averages 5h 2m over 2,092 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 19% of the time.
- How often are ATL to SMF flights cancelled?
- 1.2% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from ATL to SMF?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 68% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 93%. If your dates are flexible, that 24-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,100 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.