Dallas (DAL) to Sacramento (SMF): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Dallas (DAL) to Sacramento (SMF) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 92% of arrivals were on time; in May 2026 that fell to 57% — a 34-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 75% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (88% vs 60%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 75%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 14 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.8%
- Flights/day
- 1.8
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 44m
- 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 | 70% | 17 min |
| Tuesday | 75% | 16 min |
| Wednesday | 79% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 75% | 14 min |
| Friday | 76% | 11 min |
| Saturdaybest | 80% | 9 min |
| Sunday | 71% | 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 aircraft59%
- Airline operations31%
- National airspace system8%
- Weather1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DAL to SMF delayed?
- 25% of DAL–SMF 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.
- 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 44m over 1,442 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 25% of the time.
- How often are DAL to SMF flights cancelled?
- 0.8% 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 DAL to SMF?
- May 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 57% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 34-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,314 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.