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Sacramento International Airport (SMF) delays and on-time record

Sacramento, California KSMF #36 US airport by passengers

Live airport-wide delay programs from the FAA, the weather that causes them, and how each airline has actually performed at SMF.

FAA status
No delays reported Updated just now
Weather now
VFR 61°F Observed 52 min ago
Late departures
23.1%May 2026 to July 2026
Security line
No recent reportsAdd yours

FAA delay status for SMF

The FAA is not reporting a ground stop, ground delay program or other delay at SMF right now.

Source: FAA National Airspace System Status, checked just now. Airline-specific delays are not shown here.

Current conditions at SMF

VFR

61°F16°C

Good visibility and high cloud base. Normal operations are typical.

Wind
Calm
Visibility
10+ mi
Clouds
Clear
Ceiling
None
Pressure
29.53 inHg

METARMETAR KSMF 111653Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 16/03 A2953 RMK AO2 SLP998 T01610033 $

Source: NOAA Aviation Weather Center. Observed 52 min ago.

On-time performance at SMF

Based on 14,916 departures from May 2026 to July 2026. A flight counts as late when it leaves 15 or more minutes after schedule.

23.1%Departures late
23.6%Arrivals late
0.64%Cancelled
14.1 minAverage departure delay
On-time performance by airline at SMF
AirlineDeparturesLateCancelled
Southwest Airlines 8,399 28.8% 0.35%
SkyWest Airlines 2,116 16.2% 0.28%
United Airlines 1,256 13.2% 1.35%
Alaska Airlines 952 13.8% 0.63%
Delta Air Lines 915 8.9% 0.66%
American Airlines 867 25.3% 2.08%
Frontier Airlines 233 18.9% 1.29%

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, On-Time Performance of reporting carriers. Smaller regional carriers and some airlines are not included.

Late departures by month

AprMayJunJul

How delays work at SMF

A ground stop holds flights bound for SMF at their origin airports. A ground delay program spaces arrivals out so the airport is not overloaded. Departure and arrival delay messages describe the average wait the FAA expects. None of these tell you whether your own flight is late, so always check your airline as well.

Local tips

  • Check your airline's terminal before you set out. The two terminals are separate buildings, and switching between them means walking through a parking garage and clearing security again.
  • Garage 2 and its covered walkway are due in late 2026, but opening dates have not been confirmed by the airport. Plan for possible construction detours and check the SMForward page on the airport website.
  • If you arrive by Yolobus, the 42B is the route to take to reach UC Davis, with a transfer at County Fair Mall, according to Yolobus. The 42A goes to downtown Sacramento and Sutter Health Park.
  • Rideshare pickup locations differ by terminal. Follow the app and the Ride App Pickup signs rather than the main curb.