Denver (DEN) to Santa Barbara (SBA): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Denver (DEN) to Santa Barbara (SBA) effectively runs on two schedules. In December 2024, 91% of arrivals were on time; in May 2026 that fell to 61% — a 29-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 77% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (83% vs 69%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 77%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 14 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.6%
- Flights/day
- 3.1
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 39m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 916 mi
Best airline from DEN to SBA
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 77% | 14 min | 0.8% | 1,596 |
| Southwest Airlines | 75% | 14 min | 0.2% | 404 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DEN to SBA
Aim for departures around 1 p.m. (86% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (60%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 76% | 13 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 80% | 12 min |
| Wednesday | 77% | 13 min |
| Thursday | 79% | 15 min |
| Friday | 76% | 17 min |
| Saturday | 76% | 13 min |
| Sunday | 75% | 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 aircraft54%
- Airline operations30%
- National airspace system16%
- Weather1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DEN to SBA delayed?
- 23% of DEN–SBA 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 14 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DEN to SBA?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 77%, based on 1,596 flights. 2 airlines flew DEN–SBA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DEN to SBA?
- Departures around 1 p.m. have the best record (86% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (60%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DEN to SBA?
- The scheduled DEN–SBA flight time averages 2h 39m over 916 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 23% of the time.
- How often are DEN to SBA flights cancelled?
- 0.6% 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 SBA?
- May 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 61% of arrivals on time. The best was December 2024 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 29-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,045 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.