Los Angeles (LAX) to Denver (DEN): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Los Angeles (LAX) to Denver (DEN) effectively runs on two schedules. In December 2024, 91% of arrivals were on time; in July 2025 that fell to 72% — a 19-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 82% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (90% vs 80%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 82%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 13 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.5%
- Flights/day
- 21
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 26m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 862 mi
Best airline from LAX to DEN
5 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 87% | 10 min | 0.2% | 6,560 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 82% | 13 min | 0.4% | 2,461 |
| Frontier Airlines | 80% | 18 min | 0.9% | 1,500 |
| Delta Air Lines | 80% | 16 min | 1.4% | 1,669 |
| Southwest Airlines | 78% | 14 min | 0.4% | 4,096 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from LAX to DEN
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (97% on-time); avoid 9 p.m. departures (56%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 82% | 13 min |
| Tuesday | 84% | 13 min |
| Wednesday | 83% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 82% | 13 min |
| Friday | 81% | 14 min |
| Saturdaybest | 84% | 12 min |
| Sunday | 83% | 11 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft34%
- Airline operations33%
- National airspace system31%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from LAX to DEN delayed?
- 18% of LAX–DEN 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 13 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from LAX to DEN?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 87%, based on 6,560 flights. 5 airlines flew LAX–DEN frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from LAX to DEN?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (97% 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 LAX to DEN?
- The scheduled LAX–DEN flight time averages 2h 26m over 862 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 18% of the time.
- How often are LAX to DEN flights cancelled?
- 0.5% 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 LAX to DEN?
- July 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 72% of arrivals on time. The best was December 2024 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 19-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 16,286 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.