Seattle (SEA) to Fairbanks (FAI): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Seattle (SEA) to Fairbanks (FAI) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2025, 89% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 55% — a 34-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 76% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 76%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 13 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.8%
- Flights/day
- 6.3
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 53m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,533 mi
Best airline from SEA to FAI
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 80% | 15 min | 1.4% | 1,050 |
| Alaska Airlines | 75% | 12 min | 0.6% | 3,871 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from SEA to FAI
Aim for departures around 8 a.m. (92% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (69%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 76% | 13 min |
| Tuesday | 80% | 12 min |
| Wednesday | 77% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 74% | 15 min |
| Friday | 72% | 13 min |
| Saturdaybest | 80% | 10 min |
| Sunday | 72% | 12 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft32%
- Airline operations44%
- National airspace system21%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from SEA to FAI delayed?
- 24% of SEA–FAI 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 13 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from SEA to FAI?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 80%, based on 1,050 flights. 2 airlines flew SEA–FAI frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from SEA to FAI?
- Departures around 8 a.m. have the best record (92% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (69%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from SEA to FAI?
- The scheduled SEA–FAI flight time averages 3h 53m over 1,533 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 24% of the time.
- How often are SEA to FAI flights cancelled?
- 0.8% 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 SEA to FAI?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 55% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2025 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 34-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 4,921 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.