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Route on-time record

SMF to ATL: most on-time flights and the best time to fly

Sacramento (Sacramento International Airport) to Atlanta (Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport). 1,009 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 92% arrived within 15 minutes and 1.6% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was Delta 769 at 10:20 PM.

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

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SMF → ATL

Sacramento to Atlanta: 1,009 nonstop flights a year

On time (12 months)

92%

Cancelled

1.6%

avg delay 8 min

Best time to leave

After 9 PM

95% on time vs 90% noon to 3 PM

Most reliable airline

Delta

91% chance on time

Check SMF to ATL fares

Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $338 (Southwest 1789 on 2026-11-07). 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 · Delta 769

    10:20 PM → 5:53 AM4h 33m nonstop

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

    93%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    94%
    Cancelled
    0.8%
    Avg arrival delay
    7 min
    • Arrived on time 94% of the time (236 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (After 9 PM: 95% on time; Noon to 3 PM: 90%).

    Strong track record · 236 flights

    Find Delta 769 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  2. #2 · Delta 741

    7:05 AM → 2:29 PM4h 33m nonstop

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

    91%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    92%
    Cancelled
    1.4%
    Avg arrival delay
    7 min
    • Arrived on time 92% of the time (360 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Lands inside ATL's trouble window: 59% of its 96 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Strong track record · 360 flights

    Find Delta 741 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  3. #3 · Delta 904

    12:28 PM → 7:58 PM4h 33m nonstop

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

    88%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    90%
    Cancelled
    2.2%
    Avg arrival delay
    9 min
    • Arrived on time 90% of the time (351 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (Noon to 3 PM: 90% on time; After 9 PM: 95%).

    Strong track record · 351 flights

    Find Delta 904 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

Airlines on this route

Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.

  • Delta Air Lines91%

    1,009 flights · 92% on time as flown · 1.6% cancel

On time by departure time

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

  • Before 9 AM92%

    365 flights · avg delay 7 min

  • Noon to 3 PM90%

    364 flights · avg delay 9 min

  • After 9 PM95%

    280 flights · avg delay 6 min

Best day: Wednesday (92%). Worst: Sunday (87%).

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
87
F
96
M
89
A
92
M
93
J
86
J
82
A
88
S
95
O
93
N
90
D
88

What delays this route

  • Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)65%
  • Late-arriving aircraft24%
  • 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

Finding the most reliable connections from SMF to ATL…

SMF to ATL questions

What time of day is best to fly SMF to ATL?
After 9 PM: 95% of flights arrived on time, against 90% for departures noon to 3 PM.
Which airline is most on time from SMF to ATL?
Delta, with a season-adjusted 91% chance of operating and arriving on time over 1,009 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 SMF to ATL?
July (82% on time); the best was February (96%), 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.

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Live status: FAA delays and ground stops