Denver (DEN) to Anchorage (ANC): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Denver (DEN) to Anchorage (ANC) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 97% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 58% — a 39-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 77% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 77%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 12 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.1%
- Flights/day
- 2.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 5h 39m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 2,405 mi
Best airline from DEN to ANC
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 81% | 10 min | 0.1% | 1,120 |
| Alaska Airlines | 75% | 14 min | 0.3% | 299 |
| Southwest Airlines | 41% | 33 min | 0.0% | 78 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DEN to ANC
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (87% on-time); avoid 5 p.m. departures (41%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 77% | 12 min |
| Tuesday | 78% | 12 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 81% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 75% | 12 min |
| Friday | 77% | 12 min |
| Saturday | 74% | 12 min |
| Sunday | 80% | 10 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft30%
- Airline operations40%
- National airspace system28%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DEN to ANC delayed?
- 23% of DEN–ANC 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 12 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DEN to ANC?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 81%, based on 1,120 flights. 3 airlines flew DEN–ANC frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DEN to ANC?
- Departures around 7 a.m. have the best record (87% on-time), while departures around 5 p.m. have the worst (41%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DEN to ANC?
- The scheduled DEN–ANC flight time averages 5h 39m over 2,405 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 23% of the time.
- How often are DEN to ANC flights cancelled?
- 0.1% 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 DEN to ANC?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 58% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 97%. If your dates are flexible, that 39-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,497 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.