Reliable Flight Search results
Best trips
6 nonstop, 34 with 1 connection · ranked by overall best · 8 hidden by your Most reliable time setting (they leave at other times of day) · published legroom for 32 of 32 · 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 276 · any route from 206 (recent searches, one way, per person; each card opens the live price)
Our best overall pick
88% chance you arrive on time · nonstop · 30 in legroom · planes about 12 years old · 3h 27m
Top pick#1 · Nonstop · 3h 27m
6:00 AM → 11:27 AM
68
score
price
live on Aviasales
88%
arrive on time
90% on time · 2.1% cancel6:00 AM SMF → 11:27 AM DFW3h 27m
American 1544
Airbus A321 · 9–25 yrs oldLegroom 30–31 in · 16.3–18.7 in wide · Main CabinWhy this is our top pick
- This morning flight leaves in the most reliable time of day on this route: its best departures have a 79% reliability rating vs 60% for night departures.
- It has the same 30 in of legroom as the next-best option (American 1021 on the Airbus A321neo or A321); it arrives on time 7 points more often.
Find American 1544 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#2 · Nonstop · 3h 26m
8:17 AM → 1:43 PM
61
score
price
live on Aviasales
81%
arrive on time
82% on time · 1.8% cancel8:17 AM SMF → 1:43 PM DFW3h 26m
American 1021
Airbus A321neo or A321 · 4–15 yrs oldLegroom 30–31 in · 16.3–18.7 in wide · Main CabinFind American 1021 fares Opens this date on Aviasales#3 · 1 connection · 6h 15m · one ticket (American)
6:00 AM → 2:15 PM
46
score
price
live on Aviasales
91%
connections made
80%
arrive on time
89% on time · 0.7% cancel6:00 AM SMF → 8:02 AM PHX2h 02m
Envoy 4119 · sold as American Eagle
Embraer E175 · 5–11 yrs oldLegroom 30 in · 18.2–19.3 in wide · Main CabinConnect in PHX · 1h 43m · 93% chance to make it · same ticket: the airline rebooks you if you miss it88% on time · 1.5% cancel9:45 AM PHX → 2:15 PM DFW2h 30m
American 2719
Airbus A321neo · 4–7 yrs oldLegroom 30 in · 16.3–18.7 in wide · Main CabinFind this American trip Look for Envoy 4119 + American 2719 on Aviasales
Aircraft and ages come from the planes each flight number actually flew in the last 3 months of data (FAA registry build years); airlines can swap planes. Legroom is the seat pitch the airline or a seat-map source publishes for that aircraft and cabin; we never estimate it, and seat maps change, so check the airline’s seat map when you book.
SMF → DFW
Sacramento to Dallas-Fort Worth: 1,671 nonstop flights a year
On time (12 months)
80%
Cancelled
2.4%
avg delay 19 min
Best time to leave
Before 9 AM
86% on time vs 68% noon to 3 PM
Most reliable airline
American
78% chance on time
Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $276 (American 1544 on 2026-10-18). 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.
- American Airlines78%
1,671 flights · 80% on time as flown · 2.4% cancel
On time by departure time
All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.
- Before 9 AM86%
729 flights · avg delay 16 min
- 9 AM to noon78%
360 flights · avg delay 17 min
- Noon to 3 PM68%
321 flights · avg delay 28 min
- After 9 PM76%
224 flights · avg delay 21 min
Best day: Wednesday (82%). Worst: Sunday (77%).
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