Denver (DEN) to Anchorage (ANC): On-Time Performance
Data through May 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 78% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 78%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 11 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.3%
- Flights/day
- 1.9
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 5h 40m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 2,405 mi
Best airline from DEN to ANC
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 80% | 10 min | 0.2% | 1,017 |
| Alaska Airlines | 73% | 16 min | 0.8% | 264 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DEN to ANC
Aim for departures around 11 a.m. (84% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (63%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Mondaybest | 83% | 10 min |
| Tuesday | 79% | 11 min |
| Wednesday | 82% | 10 min |
| Thursday | 78% | 11 min |
| Friday | 75% | 13 min |
| Saturday | 72% | 13 min |
| Sunday | 79% | 11 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft28%
- Airline operations41%
- National airspace system30%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DEN to ANC delayed?
- 22% of DEN–ANC 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 11 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DEN to ANC?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 80%, based on 1,017 flights. 2 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 11 a.m. have the best record (84% on-time), while departures around 8 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 DEN to ANC?
- The scheduled DEN–ANC flight time averages 5h 40m over 2,405 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 22% of the time.
- How often are DEN to ANC flights cancelled?
- 0.3% 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 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 1,298 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.