San Francisco (SFO) to Denver (DEN): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
San Francisco (SFO) to Denver (DEN) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 89% of arrivals were on time; in June 2026 that fell to 64% — a 25-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 77% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (85% vs 77%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 77%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 15 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.5%
- Flights/day
- 15
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 38m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 967 mi
Best airline from SFO to DEN
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 83% | 12 min | 0.3% | 7,197 |
| Frontier Airlines | 71% | 23 min | 0.9% | 1,356 |
| Southwest Airlines | 66% | 21 min | 0.6% | 3,112 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from SFO to DEN
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (95% on-time); avoid 12 a.m. departures (39%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 75% | 16 min |
| Tuesday | 79% | 13 min |
| Wednesday | 77% | 16 min |
| Thursday | 74% | 18 min |
| Friday | 74% | 17 min |
| Saturdaybest | 81% | 13 min |
| Sunday | 77% | 15 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft50%
- Airline operations27%
- National airspace system22%
- Weather1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from SFO to DEN delayed?
- 23% of SFO–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 SFO to DEN?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 83%, based on 7,197 flights. 3 airlines flew SFO–DEN frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from SFO to DEN?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (95% on-time), while departures around 12 a.m. have the worst (39%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from SFO to DEN?
- The scheduled SFO–DEN flight time averages 2h 38m over 967 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 23% of the time.
- How often are SFO 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 SFO to DEN?
- June 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 64% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 25-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 11,665 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.