Nashville (BNA) to Los Angeles (LAX): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Nashville (BNA) to Los Angeles (LAX) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 91% of arrivals were on time; in April 2026 that fell to 63% — a 29-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 80% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (90% vs 71%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 80%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 14 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.9%
- Flights/day
- 6.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 4h 35m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,798 mi
Best airline from BNA to LAX
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 87% | 9 min | 1.1% | 1,775 |
| Southwest Airlines | 76% | 13 min | 0.6% | 1,583 |
| American Airlines | 74% | 23 min | 0.5% | 744 |
| Spirit Airlines | 70% | 25 min | 2.9% | 207 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from BNA to LAX
Aim for departures around 9 a.m. (96% on-time); avoid 5 a.m. departures (59%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 18 min |
| Tuesday | 83% | 13 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 84% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 81% | 14 min |
| Friday | 82% | 11 min |
| Saturday | 80% | 14 min |
| Sunday | 74% | 15 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft48%
- Airline operations37%
- National airspace system12%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from BNA to LAX delayed?
- 20% of BNA–LAX flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-06 and 2026-05. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 14 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from BNA to LAX?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 87%, based on 1,775 flights. 4 airlines flew BNA–LAX frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from BNA to LAX?
- Departures around 9 a.m. have the best record (96% on-time), while departures around 5 a.m. have the worst (59%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from BNA to LAX?
- The scheduled BNA–LAX flight time averages 4h 35m over 1,798 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 20% of the time.
- How often are BNA to LAX flights cancelled?
- 0.9% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from BNA to LAX?
- April 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 63% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 29-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 4,309 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.