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Departing flights
Ranking & search details
2 nonstop, 38 with 1 connection, 6 with 2 · ranked by overall best · 3 hidden by your Most reliable time setting (they leave at other times of day) · showing the top 3
Most reliable time: morning departures (5–11 AM), the window with the best on-time odds for this trip. Turn off “Most reliable” under Departure time in Advanced settings to see every time.
Fares seen on this date: nonstop from 243 (recent searches, one way, per person; each card opens the live price)
43 matching trips
Why this is our top pick
- This morning flight leaves in the most reliable time of day on this route: its best departures have a 72% reliability rating vs 52% for midday departures.
- Compared with the next-best option (Southwest 1859 + Southwest 3369 on the Boeing 737 MAX 8), it flies a newer plane (about 6 vs 20 years old).
- Legroom was comparable across the flights we compared (30–31 in), so it didn't set them apart.
5:10 AM10:20 AMMDW → SMF
Southwest · WN 1859 / WN 3369
7h 10m1 stop
1h 40m in LAS
One ticket
82%arrive on time94% connections madeCheck fares- 5:25 AM12:15 PM
MDW → SMF
Southwest · WN 3340 / WN 2684
8h 50m1 stop
3h 00m in PHX
One ticket
85%arrive on time98% connections madeCheck fares
Aircraft and legroom reflect the planes each flight has flown recently. Airlines can swap planes and seat maps change, so check the airline’s seat map when you book.
MDW → SMF
Chicago to Sacramento: 664 nonstop flights a year
On time (12 months)
72%
Cancelled
0.8%
avg delay 17 min
Best time to leave
Before 9 AM
87% on time vs 50% after 9 PM
Most reliable airline
Southwest
71% chance on time
Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $243 (Southwest 1088 on 2026-10-24). Fares open on our travel partner (Aviasales). Pick the flight number you chose here.
Airlines on this route
Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.
- Southwest Airlines71%
664 flights · 72% on time as flown · 0.8% cancel
On time by departure time
All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.
- Before 9 AM87%
237 flights · avg delay 7 min
- 9 AM to noon69%
106 flights · avg delay 15 min
- Noon to 3 PM68%
72 flights · avg delay 16 min
- 6 to 9 PM73%
60 flights · avg delay 12 min
- After 9 PM50%
160 flights · avg delay 35 min
Best day: Thursday (77%). Worst: Friday (67%).
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