Buffalo (BUF) to Tampa (TPA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Buffalo (BUF) to Tampa (TPA) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 95% of arrivals were on time; in June 2025 that fell to 56% — a 39-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 78% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (89% vs 70%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 78%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 15 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.1%
- Flights/day
- 2.0
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 49m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,053 mi
Best airline from BUF to TPA
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlinesmost reliable | 80% | 13 min | 0.6% | 1,230 |
| Frontier Airlines | 73% | 20 min | 2.9% | 382 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from BUF to TPA
Aim for departures around 12 p.m. (94% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (63%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 16 min |
| Tuesday | 83% | 11 min |
| Wednesday | 84% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 73% | 16 min |
| Fridaybest | 86% | 10 min |
| Saturday | 76% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 71% | 22 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft64%
- Airline operations18%
- National airspace system18%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from BUF to TPA delayed?
- 22% of BUF–TPA 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 15 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from BUF to TPA?
- Southwest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 80%, based on 1,230 flights. 2 airlines flew BUF–TPA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from BUF to TPA?
- Departures around 12 p.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (63%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from BUF to TPA?
- The scheduled BUF–TPA flight time averages 2h 49m over 1,053 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 22% of the time.
- How often are BUF to TPA flights cancelled?
- 1.1% 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 BUF to TPA?
- June 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 56% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 95%. If your dates are flexible, that 39-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,612 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.