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Route on-time record

IAD to SFO: most on-time flights and the best time to fly

Dulles (Washington Dulles International Airport) to San Francisco (San Francisco International Airport). 2,828 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 79% arrived within 15 minutes and 0.8% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was United 1095 at 6:30 AM.

Flying on a specific date? We’ll adjust for the month, the weekday and the forecast.

IAD → SFO

Dulles to San Francisco: 2,828 nonstop flights a year

On time (12 months)

79%

Cancelled

0.8%

avg delay 18 min

Best time to leave

Before 9 AM

86% on time vs 70% 3 to 6 PM

Most reliable airline

United

79% chance on time

Check IAD to SFO fares

Fares open on our travel partner (Aviasales). Pick the flight number you chose here.

Most reliable nonstop flights

Ranked by the chance the flight operates and arrives within 15 minutes of schedule, from Jun 2025 to May 2026 records.

  1. #1 · United 1095

    6:30 AM → 9:30 AM6h 00m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    90%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    90%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    10 min
    • Arrived on time 90% of the time (321 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 321 scheduled flights.
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 86% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 70%).
    • Departs outside IAD's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Strong track record · 321 flights

    Find United 1095 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  2. #2 · United 1147

    8:30 AM → 11:25 AM6h 01m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    83%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    85%
    Cancelled
    1.4%
    Avg arrival delay
    14 min
    • Arrived on time 85% of the time (142 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 86% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 70%).
    • Departs outside IAD's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started).
    • Lands inside SFO's trouble window: 61% of its 333 ground stops and delay programs started between 7 AM and 1 PM.

    Moderate track record · 142 flights

    Find United 1147 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  3. #3 · United 635

    9:27 AM → 12:30 PM6h 03m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    83%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    86%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    13 min
    • Arrived on time 86% of the time (49 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 49 scheduled flights.
    • Departs outside IAD's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started).
    • Lands inside SFO's trouble window: 61% of its 333 ground stops and delay programs started between 7 AM and 1 PM.

    Limited track record · 49 flights

    Find United 635 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  4. #4 · United 796

    4:10 PM → 7:19 PM6h 09m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20. Same departure also flew as United 406; its record covers all of them.

    83%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    84%
    Cancelled
    0.9%
    Avg arrival delay
    18 min
    • Arrived on time 84% of the time (229 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (3 to 6 PM: 70% on time; Before 9 AM: 86%).
    • Departs inside IAD's trouble window: 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Strong track record · 229 flights

    Find United 796 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  5. #5 · United 367

    10:10 PM → 1:17 AM6h 07m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    82%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    82%
    Cancelled
    0.6%
    Avg arrival delay
    10 min
    • Arrived on time 82% of the time (342 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Departs outside IAD's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Strong track record · 342 flights

    Find United 367 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  6. #6 · United 2862

    2:36 PM → 5:39 PM6h 04m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    80%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    80%
    Cancelled
    0.3%
    Avg arrival delay
    16 min
    • Arrived on time 80% of the time (364 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Departs inside IAD's trouble window: 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Strong track record · 364 flights

    Find United 2862 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  7. #7 · United 1434

    12:35 PM → 3:22 PM6h 06m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    79%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    80%
    Cancelled
    0.4%
    Avg arrival delay
    16 min
    • Arrived on time 80% of the time (248 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Departs outside IAD's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Strong track record · 248 flights

    Find United 1434 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  8. #8 · United 2075

    8:21 PM → 11:15 PM5h 54m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    71%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    55%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    36 min
    • Arrived on time 55% of the time (11 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Departs outside IAD's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started).
    • Short track record (11 flights), so its score leans on the airline's record at this hour.

    Limited track record · 11 flights

    Find United 2075 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  9. #9 · United 754

    6:40 PM → 9:49 PM6h 09m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20.

    69%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    62%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    16 min
    • Arrived on time 62% of the time (21 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Departs inside IAD's trouble window: 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.
    • Short track record (21 flights), so its score leans on the airline's record at this hour.

    Limited track record · 21 flights

    Find United 754 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  10. #10 · United 1757

    5:55 PM → 8:50 PM5h 55m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    57%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    58%
    Cancelled
    2.5%
    Avg arrival delay
    41 min
    • Arrived on time 58% of the time (355 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (3 to 6 PM: 70% on time; Before 9 AM: 86%).
    • Departs inside IAD's trouble window: 75% of its 63 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Strong track record · 355 flights

    Find United 1757 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

Airlines on this route

Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.

  • United Airlines79%

    2,669 flights · 79% on time as flown · 0.9% cancel

  • Alaska Airlines73%

    159 flights · 66% on time as flown · 0.7% cancel

On time by departure time

All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.

  • Before 9 AM86%

    767 flights · avg delay 14 min

  • Noon to 3 PM84%

    531 flights · avg delay 13 min

  • 3 to 6 PM70%

    679 flights · avg delay 29 min

  • 6 to 9 PM70%

    454 flights · avg delay 24 min

  • After 9 PM82%

    348 flights · avg delay 10 min

Best day: Tuesday (83%). Worst: Friday (76%).

On time by month

All airlines, Jun 2023 to May 2026. Several years per month, so one stormy season doesn't define a month. Travel-month estimates use this seasonal pattern.

J
81
F
75
M
84
A
81
M
76
J
73
J
69
A
77
S
85
O
88
N
81
D
78

What delays this route

  • Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)32%
  • Air traffic control and airport volume31%
  • Late-arriving aircraft30%
  • Severe weather6%

Share of delay minutes by the cause airlines report to the US DOT.

Historical odds, not a guarantee. Built from the US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics on-time reports (Jun 2025 to May 2026), FAA ground stop and delay program advisories, and 20 years of airport weather observations. Covers US airlines that report to the DOT; schedules are flights operated recently, so confirm times when you book. ATIS Alerts is not affiliated with any airline. Fares are what Aviasales travelers saw in recent searches (USD, one way, 1 adult), not live quotes; the partner site shows the current price. Fare links go to our travel partner and may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Affiliate disclosure

IAD to SFO questions

What time of day is best to fly IAD to SFO?
Before 9 AM: 86% of flights arrived on time, against 70% for departures 3 to 6 PM. Later flights inherit delays from earlier ones, so the first departures of the day usually run best.
Which airline is most on time from IAD to SFO?
United, with a season-adjusted 79% chance of operating and arriving on time over 2,669 flights. The adjustment compares each airline with what the route did in the months it flew, so a carrier that skipped a stormy month gets no free credit.
What is the worst month for delays on IAD to SFO?
July (69% on time); the best was October (88%), averaged over Jun 2023 to May 2026.
Is this a prediction for my flight?
No. These are historical odds from the US DOT on-time reports, FAA advisories and airport weather records. Check your flight status and the FAA delay board on the day you fly.

More routes from IAD

Live status: FAA delays and ground stops