San Jose (SJC) to Denver (DEN): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
San Jose (SJC) to Denver (DEN) effectively runs on two schedules. In January 2026, 93% of arrivals were on time; in June 2026 that fell to 64% — a 29-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 82% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (91% vs 77%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 82%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 12 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.4%
- Flights/day
- 7.0
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 33m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 948 mi
Best airline from SJC to DEN
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 88% | 10 min | 0.5% | 2,387 |
| Southwest Airlines | 78% | 13 min | 0.3% | 3,270 |
| Frontier Airlines | 73% | 18 min | 0.4% | 263 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from SJC to DEN
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 2 p.m. departures (65%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 79% | 13 min |
| Tuesday | 83% | 10 min |
| Wednesday | 87% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 79% | 13 min |
| Friday | 78% | 16 min |
| Saturdaybest | 87% | 7 min |
| Sunday | 82% | 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 aircraft37%
- Airline operations23%
- National airspace system38%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from SJC to DEN delayed?
- 18% of SJC–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 12 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from SJC to DEN?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 88%, based on 2,387 flights. 3 airlines flew SJC–DEN frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from SJC to DEN?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 2 p.m. have the worst (65%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from SJC to DEN?
- The scheduled SJC–DEN flight time averages 2h 33m over 948 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 18% of the time.
- How often are SJC to DEN flights cancelled?
- 0.4% 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 SJC to DEN?
- June 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 64% of arrivals on time. The best was January 2026 at 93%. If your dates are flexible, that 29-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 5,973 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.