Route on-time record
SMF to SFO: most on-time flights and the best time to fly
Sacramento (Sacramento International Airport) to San Francisco (San Francisco International Airport). 1,399 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 67% arrived within 15 minutes and 1.7% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was SkyWest 5460 at 6:00 AM.
Flying on a specific date? We’ll adjust for the month, the weekday and the forecast.
SMF → SFO
Sacramento to San Francisco: 1,399 nonstop flights a year
On time (12 months)
67%
Cancelled
1.7%
avg delay 24 min
Best time to leave
Before 9 AM
90% on time vs 46% 6 to 9 PM
Most reliable airline
SkyWest
65% chance on time
Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $333 (United 5248 on 2026-10-26). 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 5460 · sold as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle or Alaska
6:00 AM → 7:03 AM1h 03m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20.
89%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 91%
- Cancelled
- 0.3%
- Avg arrival delay
- 11 min
- Arrived on time 91% of the time (307 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 90% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 46%).
- Lands inside SFO's trouble window: 60% of its 334 ground stops and delay programs started between 7 AM and 1 PM.
Strong track record · 307 flights
Find 6:00 AM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales#2 · United 1954
6:00 AM → 6:54 AM54m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
88%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 100%
- Cancelled
- 0.0%
- Avg arrival delay
- 0 min
- Arrived on time 100% of the time (10 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 90% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 46%).
Limited track record · 10 flights
Find United 1954 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#3 · SkyWest 5248 · sold as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle or Alaska
11:06 AM → 12:15 PM1h 12m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
60%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 61%
- Cancelled
- 2.7%
- Avg arrival delay
- 24 min
- Arrived on time 61% of the time (354 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Lands inside SFO's trouble window: 60% of its 334 ground stops and delay programs started between 7 AM and 1 PM.
Strong track record · 354 flights
Find 11:06 AM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales#4 · SkyWest 5323 · sold as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle or Alaska
3:53 PM → 5:05 PM1h 12m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20.
58%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 56%
- Cancelled
- 1.3%
- Avg arrival delay
- 26 min
- Arrived on time 56% of the time (75 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
Moderate track record · 75 flights
Find 3:53 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales#5 · SkyWest 5961 · sold as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle or Alaska
8:07 PM → 9:26 PM1h 19m nonstop
Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.
45%
chance on time
- On time (history)
- 46%
- Cancelled
- 3.3%
- Avg arrival delay
- 33 min
- Arrived on time 46% of the time (325 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
- Cancelled 3.3% of the time (11 of 336).
- Leaves in this route's least on-time window (6 to 9 PM: 46% on time; Before 9 AM: 90%).
Strong track record · 325 flights
Find 8:07 PM flight 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)65%
1,376 flights · 66% on time as flown · 1.7% cancel
On time by departure time
All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.
- Before 9 AM90%
389 flights · avg delay 11 min
- 9 AM to noon61%
364 flights · avg delay 24 min
- Noon to 3 PM67%
234 flights · avg delay 27 min
- 3 to 6 PM65%
76 flights · avg delay 39 min
- 6 to 9 PM46%
336 flights · avg delay 33 min
Best day: Saturday (82%). Worst: Monday (72%).
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 volume38%
- Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)28%
- Late-arriving aircraft27%
- Severe weather8%
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
SMF to SFO questions
- What time of day is best to fly SMF to SFO?
- Before 9 AM: 90% of flights arrived on time, against 46% for departures 6 to 9 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 SFO?
- SkyWest, with a season-adjusted 65% chance of operating and arriving on time over 1,376 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 SFO?
- May (69% on time); the best was July (84%), 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 SMF
- SFO to SMF (return)
- SMF to LAX 86%
- SMF to SAN 74%
- SMF to SEA 82%
- SMF to LAS 80%
- SMF to DEN 82%
- SMF to PHX 82%
- SMF to BUR 85%
- SMF to SNA 84%
- SMF to SLC 88%
- SMF to ONT 85%
- SMF to PDX 82%
- SMF to LGB 86%
Most on-time flights from SMF on every route →
Live status: FAA delays and ground stops