Denver (DEN) to Memphis (MEM): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Denver (DEN) to Memphis (MEM) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2025, 94% of arrivals were on time; in July 2025 that fell to 47% — a 47-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 (85% vs 65%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 75%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.8%
- Flights/day
- 3.6
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 18m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 872 mi
Best airline from DEN to MEM
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier Airlinesmost reliable | 84% | 12 min | 0.4% | 270 |
| United Airlines | 79% | 15 min | 0.9% | 1,457 |
| Southwest Airlines | 66% | 24 min | 0.7% | 814 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DEN to MEM
Aim for departures around 4 p.m. (91% on-time); avoid 9 p.m. departures (35%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 74% | 18 min |
| Tuesday | 79% | 14 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 79% | 15 min |
| Thursday | 76% | 17 min |
| Friday | 69% | 25 min |
| Saturday | 76% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 75% | 17 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft56%
- Airline operations29%
- National airspace system13%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DEN to MEM delayed?
- 25% of DEN–MEM 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 18 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DEN to MEM?
- Frontier Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 84%, based on 270 flights. 3 airlines flew DEN–MEM frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DEN to MEM?
- Departures around 4 p.m. have the best record (91% on-time), while departures around 9 p.m. have the worst (35%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DEN to MEM?
- The scheduled DEN–MEM flight time averages 2h 18m over 872 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 25% of the time.
- How often are DEN to MEM 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 DEN to MEM?
- July 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 47% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2025 at 94%. If your dates are flexible, that 47-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,542 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.