Denver (DEN) to Missoula (MSO): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Denver (DEN) to Missoula (MSO) effectively runs on two schedules. In December 2024, 95% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 66% — a 29-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 81% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (87% vs 73%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 13 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.7%
- Flights/day
- 3.3
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 12m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 679 mi
Best airline from DEN to MSO
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyWest Airlinesmost reliable | 82% | 14 min | 0.8% | 665 |
| United Airlines | 81% | 13 min | 0.7% | 1,665 |
| Frontier Airlines | 75% | 13 min | 1.0% | 102 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DEN to MSO
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (91% on-time); avoid 12 p.m. departures (68%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 80% | 15 min |
| Tuesday | 84% | 12 min |
| Wednesday | 82% | 11 min |
| Thursdaybest | 84% | 13 min |
| Friday | 75% | 17 min |
| Saturday | 82% | 12 min |
| Sunday | 80% | 14 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft49%
- Airline operations33%
- National airspace system13%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DEN to MSO delayed?
- 19% of DEN–MSO 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 13 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DEN to MSO?
- SkyWest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 82%, based on 665 flights. 3 airlines flew DEN–MSO frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DEN to MSO?
- Departures around 7 a.m. have the best record (91% on-time), while departures around 12 p.m. have the worst (68%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DEN to MSO?
- The scheduled DEN–MSO flight time averages 2h 12m over 679 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 19% of the time.
- How often are DEN to MSO flights cancelled?
- 0.7% 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 MSO?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 66% of arrivals on time. The best was December 2024 at 95%. If your dates are flexible, that 29-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,432 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.