Phoenix (PHX) to Sacramento (SMF): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Phoenix (PHX) to Sacramento (SMF) effectively runs on two schedules. In January 2025, 89% of arrivals were on time; in June 2026 that fell to 72% — a 17-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 81% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (91% vs 69%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 11 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.3%
- Flights/day
- 9.9
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 3m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 647 mi
Best airline from PHX to SMF
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Envoy Airmost reliable | 91% | 5 min | 0.6% | 335 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 82% | 11 min | 0.3% | 645 |
| American Airlines | 81% | 15 min | 0.3% | 2,327 |
| Southwest Airlines | 80% | 10 min | 0.2% | 4,419 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from PHX to SMF
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (99% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (60%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 81% | 12 min |
| Tuesday | 84% | 9 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 84% | 10 min |
| Thursday | 78% | 12 min |
| Friday | 81% | 12 min |
| Saturday | 84% | 10 min |
| Sunday | 76% | 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 aircraft52%
- Airline operations42%
- National airspace system4%
- Weather1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from PHX to SMF delayed?
- 19% of PHX–SMF 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 11 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from PHX to SMF?
- Envoy Air has the best on-time record on this route at 91%, based on 335 flights. 4 airlines flew PHX–SMF frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from PHX to SMF?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (99% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (60%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from PHX to SMF?
- The scheduled PHX–SMF flight time averages 2h 3m over 647 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 19% of the time.
- How often are PHX to SMF flights cancelled?
- 0.3% 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 PHX to SMF?
- June 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 72% of arrivals on time. The best was January 2025 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 17-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 7,726 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.