Los Angeles (LAX) to Tampa (TPA): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Los Angeles (LAX) to Tampa (TPA) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 96% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 67% — a 29-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 82% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 82%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 11 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.3%
- Flights/day
- 3.3
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 4h 38m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 2,158 mi
Best airline from LAX to TPA
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 88% | 8 min | 0.9% | 800 |
| Delta Air Lines | 79% | 13 min | 1.7% | 1,226 |
| Southwest Airlines | 65% | 15 min | 0.0% | 113 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from LAX to TPA
Aim for departures around 9 p.m. (92% on-time); avoid 11 a.m. departures (66%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 82% | 11 min |
| Tuesday | 84% | 9 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 86% | 8 min |
| Thursday | 79% | 12 min |
| Friday | 81% | 11 min |
| Saturday | 83% | 11 min |
| Sunday | 79% | 14 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft32%
- Airline operations42%
- National airspace system24%
- Weather2%
- Security1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from LAX to TPA delayed?
- 18% of LAX–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 11 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from LAX to TPA?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 88%, based on 800 flights. 3 airlines flew LAX–TPA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from LAX to TPA?
- Departures around 9 p.m. have the best record (92% on-time), while departures around 11 a.m. have the worst (66%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from LAX to TPA?
- The scheduled LAX–TPA flight time averages 4h 38m over 2,158 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 18% of the time.
- How often are LAX to TPA flights cancelled?
- 1.3% 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 LAX to TPA?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 67% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 96%. If your dates are flexible, that 29-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,156 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.