Missoula (MSO) to Denver (DEN): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Missoula (MSO) to Denver (DEN) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 91% of arrivals were on time; in May 2025 that fell to 66% — a 26-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 71%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 19 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.0%
- Flights/day
- 3.3
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 9m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 679 mi
Best airline from MSO to DEN
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 82% | 16 min | 0.9% | 1,665 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 72% | 26 min | 1.2% | 665 |
| Frontier Airlines | 70% | 23 min | 1.0% | 102 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MSO to DEN
Aim for departures around 10 a.m. (89% on-time); avoid 3 p.m. departures (59%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 75% | 19 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 82% | 15 min |
| Wednesday | 81% | 13 min |
| Thursday | 78% | 23 min |
| Friday | 76% | 21 min |
| Saturday | 81% | 21 min |
| Sunday | 80% | 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 aircraft25%
- Airline operations35%
- National airspace system34%
- Weather7%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MSO to DEN delayed?
- 21% of MSO–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 19 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from MSO to DEN?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 82%, based on 1,665 flights. 3 airlines flew MSO–DEN frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MSO to DEN?
- Departures around 10 a.m. have the best record (89% on-time), while departures around 3 p.m. have the worst (59%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MSO to DEN?
- The scheduled MSO–DEN flight time averages 2h 9m over 679 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are MSO to DEN flights cancelled?
- 1% 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 MSO to DEN?
- May 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 66% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 26-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,432 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.