Richmond (RIC) to Denver (DEN): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Richmond (RIC) to Denver (DEN) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 98% of arrivals were on time; in June 2026 that fell to 53% — a 45-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 76% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (86% vs 61%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 76%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 15 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.5%
- Flights/day
- 2.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 4h 1m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,481 mi
Best airline from RIC to DEN
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 85% | 11 min | 0.6% | 812 |
| Frontier Airlines | 74% | 16 min | 0.0% | 78 |
| Southwest Airlines | 64% | 21 min | 0.5% | 604 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from RIC to DEN
Aim for departures around 8 a.m. (87% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (52%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 75% | 14 min |
| Tuesday | 77% | 15 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 84% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 73% | 17 min |
| Friday | 76% | 17 min |
| Saturday | 78% | 14 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 aircraft28%
- Airline operations47%
- National airspace system23%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from RIC to DEN delayed?
- 24% of RIC–DEN 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 15 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from RIC to DEN?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 85%, based on 812 flights. 3 airlines flew RIC–DEN frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from RIC to DEN?
- Departures around 8 a.m. have the best record (87% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (52%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from RIC to DEN?
- The scheduled RIC–DEN flight time averages 4h 1m over 1,481 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 24% of the time.
- How often are RIC to DEN flights cancelled?
- 0.5% 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 RIC to DEN?
- June 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 53% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 98%. If your dates are flexible, that 45-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,494 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.