Reno (RNO) to San Francisco (SFO): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Reno (RNO) to San Francisco (SFO) effectively runs on two schedules. In July 2024, 87% of arrivals were on time; in May 2026 that fell to 40% — a 47-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 73% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 73%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.2%
- Flights/day
- 5.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 23m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 192 mi
Best airline from RNO to SFO
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 75% | 16 min | 0.4% | 1,400 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 71% | 20 min | 1.8% | 2,130 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from RNO to SFO
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (91% on-time); avoid 11 a.m. departures (36%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 67% | 21 min |
| Tuesday | 78% | 13 min |
| Wednesday | 73% | 18 min |
| Thursday | 68% | 25 min |
| Friday | 72% | 18 min |
| Saturdaybest | 81% | 13 min |
| Sunday | 69% | 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 aircraft19%
- Airline operations27%
- National airspace system51%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from RNO to SFO delayed?
- 28% of RNO–SFO 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 18 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from RNO to SFO?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 75%, based on 1,400 flights. 2 airlines flew RNO–SFO frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from RNO to SFO?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (91% on-time), while departures around 11 a.m. have the worst (36%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from RNO to SFO?
- The scheduled RNO–SFO flight time averages 1h 23m over 192 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 28% of the time.
- How often are RNO to SFO flights cancelled?
- 1.2% 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 RNO to SFO?
- May 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 40% of arrivals on time. The best was July 2024 at 87%. If your dates are flexible, that 47-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 3,530 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.