Route on-time record
SEA to SFO: most on-time flights and the best time to fly
Seattle (Seattle–Tacoma International Airport) to San Francisco (San Francisco International Airport). 6,761 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 69% arrived within 15 minutes and 1.2% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was SkyWest 5676 at 5:00 AM.
Flying on a specific date? We’ll adjust for the month, the weekday and the forecast.
SEA → SFO
Seattle to San Francisco: 6,761 nonstop flights a year
On time (12 months)
69%
Cancelled
1.2%
avg delay 19 min
Best time to leave
Noon to 3 PM
78% on time vs 57% 6 to 9 PM
Most reliable airline
SkyWest
77% chance on time
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 · SkyWest 5676 · sold as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle or Alaska
5:00 AM → 7:31 AM2h 31m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-30.
87%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 87%
- Cancelled
- 1.1%
- Avg arrival delay
- 11 min
- Arrived on time 87% of the time (94 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Departs outside SEA's trouble window (4 PM to 10 PM, when 54% of its 68 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 · 94 flights
Find 5:00 AM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales#2 · United 325
3:33 PM → 5:47 PM2h 14m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-30.
85%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 93%
- Cancelled
- 1.2%
- Avg arrival delay
- 6 min
- Arrived on time 93% of the time (82 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Departs outside SEA's trouble window (4 PM to 10 PM, when 54% of its 68 ground stops and delay programs started).
Moderate track record · 82 flights
Find United 325 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#3 · United 2367
9:20 AM → 11:39 AM2h 19m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-03-28.
80%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 92%
- Cancelled
- 0.0%
- Avg arrival delay
- 13 min
- Arrived on time 92% of the time (24 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Departs outside SEA's trouble window (4 PM to 10 PM, when 54% of its 68 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.
- Short track record (24 flights), so its score leans on the airline's record at this hour.
Limited track record · 24 flights
Find United 2367 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#4 · SkyWest 3707 · sold as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle or Alaska
1:45 PM → 4:04 PM2h 19m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
78%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 79%
- Cancelled
- 1.2%
- Avg arrival delay
- 12 min
- Arrived on time 79% of the time (321 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Noon to 3 PM: 78% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 57%).
- 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 · 321 flights
Find 1:45 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales#5 · United 1482
11:35 AM → 1:50 PM2h 15m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20.
77%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 78%
- Cancelled
- 0.5%
- Avg arrival delay
- 16 min
- Arrived on time 78% of the time (195 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Departs outside SEA's trouble window (4 PM to 10 PM, when 54% of its 68 ground stops and delay programs started).
Moderate track record · 195 flights
Find United 1482 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#6 · United 2866
5:45 PM → 7:58 PM2h 13m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-30.
77%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 64%
- Cancelled
- 0.0%
- Avg arrival delay
- 29 min
- Arrived on time 64% of the time (59 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Never cancelled in 59 scheduled flights.
- Departs inside SEA's trouble window: 54% of its 68 ground stops and delay programs started between 4 PM and 10 PM.
- Short track record (59 flights), so its score leans on the airline's record at this hour.
Limited track record · 59 flights
Find United 2866 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#7 · SkyWest 3991 · sold as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle or Alaska
4:25 PM → 6:44 PM2h 19m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
75%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 74%
- Cancelled
- 0.7%
- Avg arrival delay
- 13 min
- Arrived on time 74% of the time (283 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Departs inside SEA's trouble window: 54% of its 68 ground stops and delay programs started between 4 PM and 10 PM.
Strong track record · 283 flights
Find 4:25 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales#8 · Delta 2635
9:45 PM → 11:57 PM2h 17m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
74%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 75%
- Cancelled
- 0.9%
- Avg arrival delay
- 14 min
- Arrived on time 75% of the time (337 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Departs inside SEA's trouble window: 54% of its 68 ground stops and delay programs started between 4 PM and 10 PM.
Strong track record · 337 flights
Find Delta 2635 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#9 · Alaska 680
2:25 PM → 4:40 PM2h 15m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
72%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 71%
- Cancelled
- 1.1%
- Avg arrival delay
- 17 min
- Arrived on time 71% of the time (187 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Noon to 3 PM: 78% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 57%).
- Departs outside SEA's trouble window (4 PM to 10 PM, when 54% of its 68 ground stops and delay programs started).
Moderate track record · 187 flights
Find Alaska 680 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#10 · Alaska 1385
3:48 PM → 6:09 PM2h 15m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
72%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 73%
- Cancelled
- 1.7%
- Avg arrival delay
- 13 min
- Arrived on time 73% of the time (169 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Departs outside SEA's trouble window (4 PM to 10 PM, when 54% of its 68 ground stops and delay programs started).
Moderate track record · 169 flights
Find Alaska 1385 fares Opens this date on Aviasales
Airlines on this route
Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.
- SkyWest Airlines (sold as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle or Alaska)77%
1,108 flights · 79% on time as flown · 1.0% cancel
- United Airlines71%
2,012 flights · 72% on time as flown · 0.8% cancel
- Delta Air Lines69%
893 flights · 70% on time as flown · 1.7% cancel
- Alaska Airlines61%
2,744 flights · 62% on time as flown · 1.4% cancel
On time by departure time
All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.
- Before 9 AM68%
1,572 flights · avg delay 19 min
- 9 AM to noon69%
1,009 flights · avg delay 20 min
- Noon to 3 PM78%
1,140 flights · avg delay 14 min
- 3 to 6 PM71%
1,505 flights · avg delay 19 min
- 6 to 9 PM57%
1,079 flights · avg delay 26 min
- After 9 PM68%
456 flights · avg delay 19 min
Best day: Saturday (77%). Worst: Sunday (67%).
Smarter routing
Nearby airports that run more on time
SEA → SJC 81% chance on time
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport · 4,381 flights a year · 30 mi from your airports · yours: 68%
SEA → OAK 72% chance on time
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport to Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport · 1,950 flights a year · 11 mi from your airports · yours: 68%
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
- Air traffic control and airport volume48%
- Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)26%
- Late-arriving aircraft22%
- Severe weather4%
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 SFO questions
- What time of day is best to fly SEA to SFO?
- Noon to 3 PM: 78% of flights arrived on time, against 57% for departures 6 to 9 PM.
- Which airline is most on time from SEA to SFO?
- SkyWest, with a season-adjusted 77% chance of operating and arriving on time over 1,108 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 SFO?
- May (58% on time); the best was January (79%), 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
- SFO to SEA (return)
- SEA to LAX 83%
- SEA to PHX 79%
- 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%
- SEA to SJC 82%
Live status: FAA delays and ground stops