Best Time to Fly SEA to FAI: On-Time Stats by Hour & Airline
Seattle/Tacoma International → Fairbanks International
Data through July 2026 · Last updated October 18, 2026
Over the last 12 months, 78.2% of Seattle (SEA) to Fairbanks (FAI) flights arrived on time (2,291 scheduled flights). That is 0.5 points above the national average of 77.6%.
Alaska Airlines was the most punctual of the 2 airlines on the route at 78.4%, while Delta Air Lines trailed at 77.3%.
September has been the best month (82% on time) and Friday the weakest day of the week (72%).
0.8% of flights were cancelled, versus 1.8% nationally.
SEA to FAI on-time performance by airline
Last 12 months. Airlines with fewer than 30 completed flights are marked “limited data”.
| Airline | On time | Avg delay when late | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines | 78.4% | 43 min | 0.4% | 1,809 |
| Delta Air Lines | 77.3% | 74 min | 2.1% | 482 |
80%+ good 70–79.9% fair <70% poor
Best time of day to fly SEA to FAI
On-time arrival % by scheduled departure hour (local time), 4,673 flights over 24 months.
Show the numbers
| Departure hour | On time | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7am–8am | 78.6% | 4.3% | 117 |
| 8am–9am | 91.9% | 0.0% | 37 |
| 9am–10am | 76.0% | 0.7% | 544 |
| 10am–11am | 73.9% | 0.0% | 142 |
| 11am–12pm | 84.6% | 0.0% | 227 |
| 12pm–1pm | 70.7% | 0.7% | 710 |
| 3pm–4pm | 89.5% | 0.0% | 38 |
| 4pm–5pm | 87.1% | 0.0% | 70 |
| 5pm–6pm | 70.3% | 0.0% | 348 |
| 6pm–7pm | 73.5% | 0.0% | 162 |
| 7pm–8pm | 70.0% | 1.3% | 237 |
| 8pm–9pm | 81.3% | 0.0% | 301 |
| 9pm–10pm | 77.7% | 1.7% | 927 |
| 10pm–11pm | 71.5% | 0.0% | 291 |
| 11pm–12am | 82.1% | 0.4% | 522 |
Best day of the week
24 months, by day of departure.
Best month to fly
24 months, by calendar month.
Holiday travel on SEA to FAI
On-time arrivals during holiday periods compared with all other days, last 24 months.
| Period | On time | vs other days | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving week (Tue before to Mon after) | 70.3% | -8.3 pts | 0.0% | 91 |
| Christmas & New Year (Dec 20 - Jan 3) | 69.0% | -9.7 pts | 2.9% | 210 |
| Summer peak (Jun 15 - Aug 15) | 69.8% | -8.9 pts | 1.2% | 942 |
| All other days | 78.7% | — | 0.5% | 3,430 |
Monthly on-time trend
On-time arrival % each month, with the 12-month US average for reference.
What causes delays on this route
Share of reported delay minutes, last 12 months (BTS cause categories).