Charlotte (CLT) to Sacramento (SMF): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Charlotte (CLT) to Sacramento (SMF) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 96% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 27% — a 70-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 73% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 73%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 21 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.7%
- Flights/day
- 1.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 5h 29m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 2,244 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from CLT to SMF
Aim for departures around 10 a.m. (83% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (46%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 72% | 24 min |
| Tuesday | 72% | 22 min |
| Wednesday | 78% | 16 min |
| Thursday | 74% | 16 min |
| Friday | 68% | 23 min |
| Saturdaybest | 78% | 21 min |
| Sunday | 70% | 23 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft53%
- Airline operations29%
- National airspace system9%
- Weather9%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from CLT to SMF delayed?
- 27% of CLT–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 21 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from CLT to SMF?
- Departures around 10 a.m. have the best record (83% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (46%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from CLT to SMF?
- The scheduled CLT–SMF flight time averages 5h 29m over 2,244 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 27% of the time.
- How often are CLT to SMF flights cancelled?
- 1.7% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from CLT to SMF?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 27% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 96%. If your dates are flexible, that 70-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 872 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.