Denver (DEN) to Oakland (OAK): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Denver (DEN) to Oakland (OAK) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 86% of arrivals were on time; in June 2026 that fell to 47% — a 39-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 69% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (84% vs 53%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 69%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.5%
- Flights/day
- 4.4
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 39m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 957 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DEN to OAK
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (95% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (46%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 67% | 19 min |
| Tuesday | 72% | 17 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 72% | 16 min |
| Thursday | 64% | 20 min |
| Friday | 69% | 18 min |
| Saturday | 70% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 68% | 20 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft52%
- Airline operations38%
- National airspace system9%
- Weather1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DEN to OAK delayed?
- 31% of DEN–OAK 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 18 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DEN to OAK?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (95% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (46%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DEN to OAK?
- The scheduled DEN–OAK flight time averages 2h 39m over 957 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 31% of the time.
- How often are DEN to OAK flights cancelled?
- 0.5% 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 OAK?
- June 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 47% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 86%. If your dates are flexible, that 39-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 3,522 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.