Houston (HOU) to Tampa (TPA): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Houston (HOU) to Tampa (TPA) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 92% of arrivals were on time; in March 2026 that fell to 53% — a 39-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 79% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (87% vs 72%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 12 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.2%
- Flights/day
- 2.8
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 4m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 781 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from HOU to TPA
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (96% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (56%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 14 min |
| Tuesday | 81% | 11 min |
| Wednesday | 81% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 78% | 13 min |
| Fridaybest | 82% | 11 min |
| Saturday | 80% | 11 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 aircraft40%
- Airline operations40%
- National airspace system15%
- Weather4%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from HOU to TPA delayed?
- 21% of HOU–TPA 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 12 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from HOU to TPA?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (96% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (56%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from HOU to TPA?
- The scheduled HOU–TPA flight time averages 2h 4m over 781 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are HOU to TPA flights cancelled?
- 1.2% 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 HOU to TPA?
- March 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 53% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 39-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,002 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.