Dallas (DAL) to Sacramento (SMF): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Dallas (DAL) to Sacramento (SMF) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 92% of arrivals were on time; in June 2026 that fell to 52% — a 40-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 74% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (88% vs 59%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 74%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 15 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.9%
- Flights/day
- 1.8
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 43m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,442 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DAL to SMF
Aim for departures around 10 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (36%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 71% | 18 min |
| Tuesday | 75% | 15 min |
| Wednesday | 78% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 73% | 15 min |
| Friday | 75% | 13 min |
| Saturdaybest | 79% | 10 min |
| Sunday | 70% | 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 aircraft60%
- Airline operations31%
- National airspace system8%
- Weather1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DAL to SMF delayed?
- 26% of DAL–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 15 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DAL to SMF?
- Departures around 10 a.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (36%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DAL to SMF?
- The scheduled DAL–SMF flight time averages 3h 43m over 1,442 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 26% of the time.
- How often are DAL to SMF 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 DAL to SMF?
- June 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 52% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 40-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,386 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.