Seattle (SEA) to Atlanta (ATL): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Seattle (SEA) to Atlanta (ATL) effectively runs on two schedules. In February 2026, 91% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 67% — a 24-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 81% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 14 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.8%
- Flights/day
- 9.0
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 4h 48m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 2,182 mi
Best airline from SEA to ATL
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 83% | 14 min | 0.9% | 4,778 |
| Alaska Airlines | 75% | 12 min | 0.6% | 1,921 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from SEA to ATL
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (90% on-time); avoid 10 a.m. departures (64%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 82% | 12 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 84% | 13 min |
| Wednesday | 82% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 82% | 10 min |
| Friday | 79% | 15 min |
| Saturday | 80% | 16 min |
| Sunday | 76% | 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 aircraft22%
- Airline operations54%
- National airspace system19%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from SEA to ATL delayed?
- 19% of SEA–ATL 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 14 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from SEA to ATL?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 83%, based on 4,778 flights. 2 airlines flew SEA–ATL frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from SEA to ATL?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (90% on-time), while departures around 10 a.m. have the worst (64%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from SEA to ATL?
- The scheduled SEA–ATL flight time averages 4h 48m over 2,182 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 19% of the time.
- How often are SEA to ATL flights cancelled?
- 0.8% 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 SEA to ATL?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 67% of arrivals on time. The best was February 2026 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 24-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 6,699 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.