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Route on-time record

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

Sacramento (Sacramento International Airport) to Houston (George Bush Intercontinental Airport). 677 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 90% arrived within 15 minutes and 0.3% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was United 2863 at 5:15 AM.

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

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SMF → IAH

Sacramento to Houston: 677 nonstop flights a year

On time (12 months)

90%

Cancelled

0.3%

avg delay 10 min

Best time to leave

Before 9 AM

96% on time vs 73% noon to 3 PM

Most reliable airline

United

89% chance on time

Check SMF to IAH fares

Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $317 (United 1949 on 2026-11-03). 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 2863

    5:15 AM → 11:01 AM3h 46m nonstop

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

    95%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    97%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    1 min
    • Arrived on time 97% of the time (58 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 58 scheduled flights.
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 96% on time; Noon to 3 PM: 73%).

    Limited track record · 58 flights

    Find United 2863 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  2. #2 · United 1949

    11:35 AM → 5:21 PM3h 46m nonstop

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

    90%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    91%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    9 min
    • Arrived on time 91% of the time (179 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 180 scheduled flights.
    • Lands inside IAH's trouble window: 60% of its 92 ground stops and delay programs started between noon and 6 PM.

    Moderate track record · 179 flights

    Find United 1949 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

Airlines on this route

Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.

  • United Airlines89%

    677 flights · 90% on time as flown · 0.3% cancel

On time by departure time

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

  • Before 9 AM96%

    362 flights · avg delay 6 min

  • 9 AM to noon92%

    169 flights · avg delay 9 min

  • Noon to 3 PM73%

    146 flights · avg delay 19 min

Best day: Saturday (93%). Worst: Thursday (88%).

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
90
F
96
M
96
A
94
M
84
J
84
J
82
A
86
S
97
O
92
N
91
D
89

What delays this route

  • Air traffic control and airport volume40%
  • Late-arriving aircraft30%
  • Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)26%
  • 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

Finding the most reliable connections from SMF to IAH…

SMF to IAH questions

What time of day is best to fly SMF to IAH?
Before 9 AM: 96% of flights arrived on time, against 73% for departures noon to 3 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 SMF to IAH?
United, with a season-adjusted 89% chance of operating and arriving on time over 677 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 IAH?
July (82% on time); the best was September (97%), 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