Denver (DEN) to Tucson (TUS): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Denver (DEN) to Tucson (TUS) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2025, 89% of arrivals were on time; in June 2026 that fell to 61% — a 29-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 78% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (86% vs 65%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 78%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 14 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.3%
- Flights/day
- 7.5
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 6m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 639 mi
Best airline from DEN to TUS
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyWest Airlinesmost reliable | 81% | 14 min | 0.3% | 1,460 |
| United Airlines | 81% | 12 min | 0.1% | 1,552 |
| Frontier Airlines | 80% | 13 min | 1.5% | 137 |
| Southwest Airlines | 73% | 15 min | 0.4% | 2,512 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DEN to TUS
Aim for departures around 8 a.m. (93% on-time); avoid 5 p.m. departures (57%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 13 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 82% | 12 min |
| Wednesday | 79% | 13 min |
| Thursday | 77% | 15 min |
| Friday | 74% | 17 min |
| Saturday | 78% | 12 min |
| Sunday | 76% | 15 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft48%
- Airline operations35%
- National airspace system14%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DEN to TUS delayed?
- 22% of DEN–TUS 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 14 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DEN to TUS?
- SkyWest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 81%, based on 1,460 flights. 4 airlines flew DEN–TUS frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DEN to TUS?
- Departures around 8 a.m. have the best record (93% on-time), while departures around 5 p.m. have the worst (57%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DEN to TUS?
- The scheduled DEN–TUS flight time averages 2h 6m over 639 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 22% of the time.
- How often are DEN to TUS flights cancelled?
- 0.3% 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 TUS?
- June 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 61% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2025 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 29-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 5,661 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.