Nashville (BNA) to San Francisco (SFO): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Nashville (BNA) to San Francisco (SFO) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 90% of arrivals were on time; in June 2026 that fell to 46% — a 43-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 72% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (82% vs 62%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 72%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 17 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.9%
- Flights/day
- 3.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 4h 55m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,969 mi
Best airline from BNA to SFO
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 76% | 15 min | 0.9% | 1,609 |
| Southwest Airlines | 54% | 28 min | 0.5% | 368 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from BNA to SFO
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (85% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (48%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 68% | 21 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 81% | 10 min |
| Wednesday | 73% | 18 min |
| Thursday | 71% | 18 min |
| Friday | 72% | 15 min |
| Saturday | 76% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 67% | 21 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft29%
- Airline operations33%
- National airspace system35%
- Weather4%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from BNA to SFO delayed?
- 28% of BNA–SFO 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 17 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from BNA to SFO?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 76%, based on 1,609 flights. 2 airlines flew BNA–SFO frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from BNA to SFO?
- Departures around 7 a.m. have the best record (85% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (48%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from BNA to SFO?
- The scheduled BNA–SFO flight time averages 4h 55m over 1,969 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 28% of the time.
- How often are BNA to SFO flights cancelled?
- 0.9% 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 BNA to SFO?
- June 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 46% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 90%. If your dates are flexible, that 43-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,977 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.