Los Angeles (LAX) to Tampa (TPA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 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 81% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 12 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 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 89% | 7 min | 0.9% | 770 |
| Delta Air Lines | 80% | 13 min | 1.8% | 1,283 |
| Southwest Airlines | 61% | 19 min | 0.0% | 174 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from LAX to TPA
Aim for departures around 9 p.m. (91% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (53%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 82% | 11 min |
| Tuesday | 83% | 11 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 85% | 9 min |
| Thursday | 80% | 12 min |
| Friday | 80% | 11 min |
| Saturday | 84% | 10 min |
| Sunday | 77% | 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 aircraft33%
- Airline operations43%
- National airspace system22%
- Weather2%
- Security1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from LAX to TPA delayed?
- 19% of LAX–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 12 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from LAX to TPA?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 89%, based on 770 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 (91% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (53%). 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 19% of the time.
- How often are LAX to TPA flights cancelled?
- 1.3% 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 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 2,240 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.