Phoenix (PHX) to San Diego (SAN): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Phoenix (PHX) to San Diego (SAN) effectively runs on two schedules. In January 2025, 87% of arrivals were on time; in July 2026 that fell to 58% — a 29-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 75% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (83% vs 65%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 75%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 16 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.1%
- Flights/day
- 16
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 16m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 304 mi
Best airline from PHX to SAN
5 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlinesmost reliable | 85% | 10 min | 2.3% | 218 |
| Frontier Airlines | 78% | 18 min | 1.3% | 1,045 |
| American Airlines | 75% | 17 min | 0.5% | 3,630 |
| Southwest Airlines | 74% | 15 min | 1.0% | 6,662 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 67% | 19 min | 5.3% | 508 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from PHX to SAN
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (92% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (54%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 71% | 18 min |
| Tuesday | 82% | 10 min |
| Wednesday | 81% | 13 min |
| Thursday | 68% | 20 min |
| Friday | 68% | 20 min |
| Saturdaybest | 83% | 11 min |
| Sunday | 71% | 18 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft45%
- Airline operations26%
- National airspace system25%
- Weather4%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from PHX to SAN delayed?
- 26% of PHX–SAN 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 16 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from PHX to SAN?
- Alaska Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 85%, based on 218 flights. 5 airlines flew PHX–SAN frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from PHX to SAN?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (92% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (54%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from PHX to SAN?
- The scheduled PHX–SAN flight time averages 1h 16m over 304 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 26% of the time.
- How often are PHX to SAN flights cancelled?
- 1.1% 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 PHX to SAN?
- July 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 58% of arrivals on time. The best was January 2025 at 87%. If your dates are flexible, that 29-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 12,063 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.