75% of flights from Denver to Houston arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is worse than the typical U.S. route. The 6 a.m. departures ran on time 96% of the time; the 7 p.m. ones 47%. 8% of flights arrived more than an hour late or not at all.
How late?
The on-time rate treats a flight 20 minutes late the same as one 5 hours late. Here's the split for DEN → HOU: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 59% of the time. About 1 in 14 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 102 three hours or more; 0.6% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early75%
- 15–30 min late9.3%
- 30–60 min late8.3%
- 1–2 hours late4.7%
- 2–3 hours late1.6%
- 3+ hours late1.0%
- Diverted0.1%
- Cancelled0.6%
Share of all 2,341 scheduled flights, past 12 months, by arrival time against schedule.
By airline
| Airline | Flights | On time | Cancelled | Typical arrival | 1h+ late | Avg when late | Operated by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | 2,341 | 75% | 0.6% | −5 min | 7.2% | +56 min | Southwest Airlines |
Airline = the name on the ticket. Regional flights (e.g. "Delta Connection") count under the ticketing airline, and the operator is listed.
Best time of day to fly
On-time rate by scheduled departure hour (local time at DEN). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
Last flight of the day
On DEN → HOU, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 0.8% of the time, against 0.5% for its earlier flights (1.6× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 1.1% of the time (earlier flights: 1.0%). It matters more than the numbers suggest. Miss an earlier flight and there's another one that evening; miss the last one and you're usually waiting until morning.
| Airline | Last departure | Last: cancelled | Last: 3h+ late | Earlier: cancelled | Next morning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | 8:45 p.m. | 0.8% | 1.1% | 0.5% | first flight 6:02 a.m. |
Last flight = the airline's last scheduled departure on this route that day, on days it flies the route at least twice; past 12 months. Times are typical scheduled times over the latest three months.
If you need to be in HOU tonight, book an earlier flight so there's a backup if it's cancelled.
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: September (82%). Worst: June (61%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 368 | 74% | 0.5% |
| Tuesday | 321 | 80% | 0.6% |
| Wednesday | 317 | 76% | 0.6% |
| Thursday | 356 | 72% | 0.0% |
| Friday | 361 | 70% | 1.4% |
| Saturday | 269 | 77% | 0.7% |
| Sunday | 349 | 74% | 0.0% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 5 · air traffic/airport 5 · airline 3
Month by month
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 15, 2026 | 7 | 0% | 0 |
| Mar 7, 2026 | 5 | 0% | 0 |
| Dec 3, 2025 | 7 | 14% | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2026 | 7 | 14% | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2026 | 6 | 17% | 0 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Denver or Houston. DEN → IAH has been 5 points more reliable.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEN → HOU (this route) | 2,341 | 75% | 0.6% |
| DEN → IAH Denver to Houston Bush Intercontinental | 4,728 | 79% | 0.3% |
Questions
How often are flights from DEN to HOU on time?
75% of 2,341 scheduled flights from Denver, CO to Houston, TX arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 0.6% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly DEN to HOU?
Flights scheduled to leave at 6 a.m. were the most reliable (96% on time). The 7 p.m. departures were the least (47%).
What month has the most delays from DEN to HOU?
June (61% on time). The best month is September (82%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from DEN to HOU more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last DEN–HOU flight of the day was cancelled 0.8% of the time over the past year, against 0.5% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- HOU → DEN (return)
- Denver (DEN) delays by hour
- Flights into Houston Hobby (HOU)
- Southwest Airlines on-time record
- Connecting off this flight? Check the risk
Domestic flights by the airlines that report to the U.S. DOT, plus their regional partners. "On time" means arriving less than 15 minutes after schedule; cancelled and diverted flights count as not on time. Past performance is a guide, not a forecast. Method.