Indianapolis (IND) to Denver (DEN): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Indianapolis (IND) to Denver (DEN) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 93% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 62% — a 31-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 (88% vs 65%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 13 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.6%
- Flights/day
- 7.0
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 52m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 976 mi
Best airline from IND to DEN
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 81% | 13 min | 0.9% | 1,752 |
| Southwest Airlines | 78% | 13 min | 0.4% | 2,787 |
| Frontier Airlines | 77% | 17 min | 0.9% | 559 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from IND to DEN
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (92% on-time); avoid 9 p.m. departures (56%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 79% | 13 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 82% | 12 min |
| Wednesday | 78% | 13 min |
| Thursday | 80% | 12 min |
| Friday | 79% | 15 min |
| Saturday | 80% | 11 min |
| Sunday | 76% | 16 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft37%
- Airline operations25%
- National airspace system36%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from IND to DEN delayed?
- 21% of IND–DEN 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 13 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from IND to DEN?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 81%, based on 1,752 flights. 3 airlines flew IND–DEN frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from IND to DEN?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (92% on-time), while departures around 9 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 IND to DEN?
- The scheduled IND–DEN flight time averages 2h 52m over 976 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are IND to DEN flights cancelled?
- 0.6% 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 IND to DEN?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 62% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 93%. If your dates are flexible, that 31-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 5,098 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.