Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to San Francisco (SFO): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to San Francisco (SFO) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 82% of arrivals were on time; in June 2026 that fell to 37% — a 45-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 65% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (76% vs 56%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 65%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 26 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.0%
- 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 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 76% | 22 min | 0.7% | 1,788 |
| American Airlines | 62% | 27 min | 2.3% | 6,457 |
| Frontier Airlines | 61% | 26 min | 3.4% | 444 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DFW to SFO
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (88% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (49%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 62% | 31 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 72% | 21 min |
| Wednesday | 68% | 22 min |
| Thursday | 60% | 28 min |
| Friday | 65% | 26 min |
| Saturday | 68% | 22 min |
| Sunday | 59% | 31 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft44%
- Airline operations29%
- National airspace system21%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DFW to SFO delayed?
- 35% of DFW–SFO 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 26 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DFW to SFO?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 76%, based on 1,788 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 (88% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (49%). 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 35% of the time.
- How often are DFW to SFO flights cancelled?
- 2% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DFW to SFO?
- June 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 37% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 82%. If your dates are flexible, that 45-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 8,706 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.