Denver (DEN) to Fresno (FAT): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Denver (DEN) to Fresno (FAT) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 91% of arrivals were on time; in February 2025 that fell to 66% — a 25-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 80% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (85% vs 73%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 80%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 12 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.1%
- Flights/day
- 4.0
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 36m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 844 mi
Best airline from DEN to FAT
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyWest Airlinesmost reliable | 82% | 11 min | 0.0% | 1,517 |
| Southwest Airlines | 81% | 9 min | 0.1% | 724 |
| United Airlines | 74% | 18 min | 0.4% | 669 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DEN to FAT
Aim for departures around 9 a.m. (92% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (73%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 79% | 11 min |
| Tuesday | 82% | 11 min |
| Wednesday | 80% | 11 min |
| Thursdaybest | 82% | 12 min |
| Friday | 76% | 16 min |
| Saturday | 79% | 11 min |
| Sunday | 81% | 13 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft39%
- Airline operations40%
- National airspace system16%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DEN to FAT delayed?
- 20% of DEN–FAT 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 12 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DEN to FAT?
- SkyWest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 82%, based on 1,517 flights. 3 airlines flew DEN–FAT frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DEN to FAT?
- Departures around 9 a.m. have the best record (92% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (73%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DEN to FAT?
- The scheduled DEN–FAT flight time averages 2h 36m over 844 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 20% of the time.
- How often are DEN to FAT flights cancelled?
- 0.1% 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 FAT?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 66% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 25-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,910 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.