Route on-time record
RDU to TPA: most on-time flights and the best time to fly
Raleigh/Durham (Raleigh-Durham International Airport) to Tampa (Tampa International Airport). 1,275 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 79% arrived within 15 minutes and 1.8% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was Delta 1279 at 6:36 AM.
Flying on a specific date? We’ll adjust for the month, the weekday and the forecast.
RDU → TPA
Raleigh/Durham to Tampa: 1,275 nonstop flights a year
On time (12 months)
79%
Cancelled
1.8%
avg delay 16 min
Best time to leave
Before 9 AM
92% on time vs 62% 3 to 6 PM
Most reliable airline
Delta
81% chance on time
Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $91 (MX 866 on 2026-10-23). 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 · Delta 1279
6:36 AM → 8:34 AM1h 54m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
89%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 91%
- Cancelled
- 1.9%
- Avg arrival delay
- 8 min
- Arrived on time 91% of the time (357 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 92% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 62%).
- Departs outside RDU's trouble window (11 AM to 5 PM, when 57% of its 14 ground stops and delay programs started).
Strong track record · 357 flights
Find Delta 1279 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#2 · Southwest 4003
11:00 AM → 12:50 PM1h 45m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
83%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 89%
- Cancelled
- 0.0%
- Avg arrival delay
- 5 min
- Arrived on time 89% of the time (55 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Never cancelled in 55 scheduled flights.
- Departs inside RDU's trouble window: 57% of its 14 ground stops and delay programs started between 11 AM and 5 PM.
- Lands inside TPA's trouble window: 76% of its 25 ground stops and delay programs started between noon and 6 PM.
Limited track record · 55 flights
Find Southwest 4003 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#3 · Delta 1275
6:04 PM → 8:01 PM1h 57m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
73%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 73%
- Cancelled
- 1.5%
- Avg arrival delay
- 22 min
- Arrived on time 73% of the time (261 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Departs outside RDU's trouble window (11 AM to 5 PM, when 57% of its 14 ground stops and delay programs started).
Strong track record · 261 flights
Find Delta 1275 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#4 · Frontier 3371
3:12 PM → 5:09 PM1h 57m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-30.
65%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 66%
- Cancelled
- 1.6%
- Avg arrival delay
- 40 min
- Arrived on time 66% of the time (125 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's least on-time window (3 to 6 PM: 62% on time; Before 9 AM: 92%).
- Departs inside RDU's trouble window: 57% of its 14 ground stops and delay programs started between 11 AM and 5 PM.
- Lands inside TPA's trouble window: 76% of its 25 ground stops and delay programs started between noon and 6 PM.
Moderate track record · 125 flights
Find Frontier 3371 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
Airlines on this route
Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.
- Delta Air Lines81%
648 flights · 83% on time as flown · 1.7% cancel
- Southwest Airlines75%
382 flights · 76% on time as flown · 1.6% cancel
- Frontier Airlines72%
245 flights · 72% on time as flown · 2.2% cancel
On time by departure time
All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.
- Before 9 AM92%
461 flights · avg delay 7 min
- 9 AM to noon87%
106 flights · avg delay 7 min
- Noon to 3 PM80%
103 flights · avg delay 9 min
- 3 to 6 PM62%
127 flights · avg delay 29 min
- 6 to 9 PM65%
420 flights · avg delay 28 min
- After 9 PM88%
58 flights · avg delay 12 min
Best day: Wednesday (86%). Worst: Sunday (77%).
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.
What delays this route
- Late-arriving aircraft45%
- Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)38%
- Air traffic control and airport volume14%
- Severe weather3%
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
RDU to TPA questions
- What time of day is best to fly RDU to TPA?
- Before 9 AM: 92% of flights arrived on time, against 62% 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 RDU to TPA?
- Delta, with a season-adjusted 81% chance of operating and arriving on time over 648 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 RDU to TPA?
- July (66% on time); the best was September (89%), 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 RDU
- TPA to RDU (return)
- RDU to ATL 87%
- RDU to ORD 74%
- RDU to CLT 82%
- RDU to BOS 78%
- RDU to LGA 69%
- RDU to MCO 78%
- RDU to PHL 73%
- RDU to JFK 75%
- RDU to MIA 76%
- RDU to DFW 77%
- RDU to BNA 80%
- RDU to EWR 74%
Most on-time flights from RDU on every route →
Live status: FAA delays and ground stops