Sacramento (SMF) to Denver (DEN): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Sacramento (SMF) to Denver (DEN) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 95% of arrivals were on time; in July 2025 that fell to 69% — a 26-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 83% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (92% vs 76%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 83%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 11 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.5%
- Flights/day
- 11
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 23m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 909 mi
Best airline from SMF 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% | 9 min | 0.5% | 3,863 |
| Frontier Airlines | 79% | 18 min | 0.8% | 387 |
| Southwest Airlines | 78% | 13 min | 0.3% | 4,015 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from SMF to DEN
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (95% on-time); avoid 3 p.m. departures (62%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 82% | 12 min |
| Tuesday | 84% | 10 min |
| Wednesday | 84% | 10 min |
| Thursday | 82% | 11 min |
| Friday | 81% | 13 min |
| Saturdaybest | 86% | 8 min |
| Sunday | 84% | 11 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft41%
- Airline operations25%
- National airspace system32%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from SMF to DEN delayed?
- 17% of SMF–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 11 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from SMF to DEN?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 88%, based on 3,863 flights. 3 airlines flew SMF–DEN frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from SMF to DEN?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (95% on-time), while departures around 3 p.m. have the worst (62%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from SMF to DEN?
- The scheduled SMF–DEN flight time averages 2h 23m over 909 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 17% of the time.
- How often are SMF 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 SMF to DEN?
- July 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 69% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 95%. If your dates are flexible, that 26-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
More routes from SMF
Other ways to fly to Denver (DEN)
Related guides
Based on 8,265 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.