Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to San Francisco (SFO): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to San Francisco (SFO) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 82% of arrivals were on time; in May 2026 that fell to 49% — a 33-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 67% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (78% vs 58%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 67%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 25 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.9%
- Flights/day
- 11
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 53m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,464 mi
Best airline from DFW to SFO
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 79% | 20 min | 0.7% | 1,633 |
| Frontier Airlines | 64% | 24 min | 2.9% | 413 |
| American Airlines | 63% | 26 min | 2.1% | 6,149 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DFW to SFO
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (89% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (50%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 65% | 28 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 73% | 21 min |
| Wednesday | 69% | 22 min |
| Thursday | 63% | 26 min |
| Friday | 68% | 24 min |
| Saturday | 69% | 22 min |
| Sunday | 60% | 30 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft45%
- Airline operations30%
- National airspace system20%
- Weather6%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DFW to SFO delayed?
- 34% of DFW–SFO 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 25 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DFW to SFO?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 79%, based on 1,633 flights. 3 airlines flew DFW–SFO frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DFW to SFO?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (89% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (50%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DFW to SFO?
- The scheduled DFW–SFO flight time averages 3h 53m over 1,464 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 34% of the time.
- How often are DFW to SFO flights cancelled?
- 1.9% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DFW to SFO?
- May 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 49% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 82%. If your dates are flexible, that 33-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 8,216 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.