Denver (DEN) to Phoenix (PHX): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Denver (DEN) to Phoenix (PHX) effectively runs on two schedules. In December 2024, 88% of arrivals were on time; in June 2025 that fell to 61% — a 27-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 76% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (86% vs 64%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 76%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 16 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.8%
- Flights/day
- 25
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 0m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 602 mi
Best airline from DEN to PHX
6 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 81% | 13 min | 0.4% | 5,024 |
| American Airlines | 79% | 23 min | 0.8% | 1,947 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 79% | 13 min | 0.0% | 66 |
| Frontier Airlines | 76% | 17 min | 0.6% | 3,156 |
| Southwest Airlines | 73% | 16 min | 1.2% | 8,385 |
| Envoy Air | 70% | 27 min | 0.5% | 424 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DEN to PHX
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 9 p.m. departures (62%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 76% | 17 min |
| Tuesday | 79% | 13 min |
| Wednesday | 77% | 16 min |
| Thursday | 75% | 17 min |
| Friday | 75% | 19 min |
| Saturdaybest | 80% | 12 min |
| Sunday | 74% | 19 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 operations35%
- National airspace system14%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DEN to PHX delayed?
- 24% of DEN–PHX 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 16 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DEN to PHX?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 81%, based on 5,024 flights. 6 airlines flew DEN–PHX frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DEN to PHX?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 9 p.m. have the worst (62%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DEN to PHX?
- The scheduled DEN–PHX flight time averages 2h 0m over 602 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 24% of the time.
- How often are DEN to PHX flights cancelled?
- 0.8% 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 PHX?
- June 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 61% of arrivals on time. The best was December 2024 at 88%. If your dates are flexible, that 27-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 19,002 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.