Houston (IAH) to Tampa (TPA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Houston (IAH) to Tampa (TPA) effectively runs on two schedules. In February 2026, 94% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 48% — a 46-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 (89% vs 74%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 17 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.6%
- Flights/day
- 4.3
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 16m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 787 mi
Best airline from IAH to TPA
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 80% | 14 min | 1.3% | 2,923 |
| Spirit Airlines | 76% | 18 min | 3.1% | 455 |
| Frontier Airlines | 66% | 55 min | 2.9% | 210 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from IAH to TPA
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (90% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (63%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 76% | 20 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 84% | 12 min |
| Wednesday | 83% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 79% | 16 min |
| Friday | 76% | 22 min |
| Saturday | 81% | 15 min |
| Sunday | 75% | 22 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft42%
- Airline operations24%
- National airspace system25%
- Weather10%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from IAH to TPA delayed?
- 21% of IAH–TPA 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 17 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from IAH to TPA?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 80%, based on 2,923 flights. 3 airlines flew IAH–TPA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from IAH to TPA?
- Departures around 7 a.m. have the best record (90% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (63%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from IAH to TPA?
- The scheduled IAH–TPA flight time averages 2h 16m over 787 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are IAH to TPA flights cancelled?
- 1.6% 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 IAH to TPA?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 48% of arrivals on time. The best was February 2026 at 94%. If your dates are flexible, that 46-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 3,588 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.