DEN airport delays & on-time performance
At Denver International (DEN) in Denver, CO, about 76% of departures and 80% of arrivals were on time in full-year 2024 (within 15 minutes of schedule), per US DOT BTS data. When a flight was delayed, the average delay ran about 62.5 minutes, and about 1.13% of flights were cancelled. The leading delay cause is weather (snow and convective); performance is usually best in September and worst in December. Figures are real BTS statistics for the latest complete year; taxi-out is an estimate — see methodology.
Source: US DOT BTS Airline On-Time Performance. Data as of full-year 2024 (latest complete BTS year).
DEN performance metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| On-time departure rate | 76% |
| On-time arrival rate | 80% |
| Average delay (delayed flights only) | 62.5 min |
| Average taxi-out time (estimate) | ~16 min |
| Cancellation rate | 1.13% |
| Departures per day (approx.) | 990 |
| Leading delay cause | Weather (snow and convective) |
| Best month for on-time | September |
| Worst month for on-time | December |
Source: US DOT BTS Airline On-Time Performance. Data as of full-year 2024 (latest complete BTS year).
How to read these numbers
On-time rate is the share of flights within 15 minutes of schedule (US DOT standard). Taxi-out time and cancellation rate are leading indicators of surface and schedule pressure: long taxi-out points to runway/ramp congestion, while a high cancellation rate often reflects weather exposure. Hubs concentrate connecting traffic, so a delay here can ripple network-wide — build in a buffer when connecting through DEN.
Routes through DEN
- DEN → LAX — 78% on-time
Frequently asked questions
How often are DEN departures on time?
In full-year 2024, about 76% of departures from Denver International left within 15 minutes of schedule, per US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics data. Verify against the live BTS source before relying on it.
What is the main cause of delays at DEN?
The leading delay driver is weather (snow and convective). The worst month is typically December and the best is September.
How long is taxi-out at DEN?
Average taxi-out time (gate push-back to wheels-up) is roughly 16 minutes — an estimate and a useful proxy for surface congestion; confirm against FAA ASPM for the exact figure.
How is on-time defined?
A departure or arrival is on-time if it is within 15 minutes of its scheduled gate time and not cancelled — the US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics standard.
Other hub airports
Last updated: 2026-06-13