Route on-time record
SEA to SBA: most on-time flights and the best time to fly
Seattle (Seattle–Tacoma International Airport) to Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara Municipal Airport). 428 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 81% arrived within 15 minutes and 1.2% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was Alaska 686 at 3:01 PM.
Flying on a specific date? We’ll adjust for the month, the weekday and the forecast.
SEA → SBA
Seattle to Santa Barbara: 428 nonstop flights a year
On time (12 months)
81%
Cancelled
1.2%
avg delay 11 min
Best time to leave
Before 9 AM
91% on time vs 77% 3 to 6 PM
Most reliable airline
Alaska
78% chance on time
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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 · Alaska 686
3:01 PM → 5:29 PM2h 30m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
82%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 84%
- Cancelled
- 1.5%
- Avg arrival delay
- 8 min
- Arrived on time 84% of the time (203 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's least on-time window (3 to 6 PM: 77% on time; Before 9 AM: 91%).
- Departs outside SEA's trouble window (4 PM to 10 PM, when 54% of its 68 ground stops and delay programs started).
Strong track record · 203 flights
Find Alaska 686 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
Airlines on this route
Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.
- Alaska Airlines78%
348 flights · 78% on time as flown · 1.2% cancel
On time by departure time
All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.
- Before 9 AM91%
80 flights · avg delay 4 min
- 9 AM to noon83%
70 flights · avg delay 7 min
- 3 to 6 PM77%
278 flights · avg delay 14 min
Best day: Tuesday (86%). Worst: Monday (80%).
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
- Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)47%
- Late-arriving aircraft43%
- Air traffic control and airport volume10%
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
SEA to SBA questions
- What time of day is best to fly SEA to SBA?
- Before 9 AM: 91% of flights arrived on time, against 77% 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 SEA to SBA?
- Alaska, with a season-adjusted 78% chance of operating and arriving on time over 348 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 SEA to SBA?
- January (77% on time); the best was November (90%), 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 SEA
- SBA to SEA (return)
- SEA to LAX 83%
- SEA to PHX 79%
- SEA to SFO 69%
- SEA to ANC 74%
- SEA to DEN 77%
- SEA to LAS 77%
- SEA to ORD 75%
- SEA to GEG 81%
- SEA to DFW 77%
- SEA to PDX 82%
- SEA to SAN 78%
- SEA to SMF 81%
Most on-time flights from SEA on every route →
Live status: FAA delays and ground stops