68% of flights from Dallas to Los Angeles 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 93% of the time; the 8 p.m. ones 45%. 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 DAL → LAX: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 62% of the time. About 1 in 14 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 114 three hours or more; 1.0% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early68%
- 15–30 min late12%
- 30–60 min late12%
- 1–2 hours late4.8%
- 2–3 hours late1.3%
- 3+ hours late0.9%
- Diverted0.1%
- Cancelled1.0%
Share of all 1,485 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 | 1,485 | 68% | 1.0% | +3 min | 7.0% | +50 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 DAL). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
Last flight of the day
On DAL → LAX, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 1.9% of the time, against 0.7% for its earlier flights (2.7× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 0.8% 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 | 9:50 p.m. | 1.9% | 0.8% | 0.7% | first flight 6:00 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 LAX tonight, book an earlier flight so there's a backup if it's cancelled.
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: October (80%). Worst: June (56%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 239 | 67% | 0.8% |
| Tuesday | 201 | 73% | 1.0% |
| Wednesday | 199 | 73% | 0.0% |
| Thursday | 230 | 70% | 0.9% |
| Friday | 236 | 67% | 0.0% |
| Saturday | 175 | 66% | 2.3% |
| Sunday | 205 | 59% | 2.4% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 7 · airline 4 · air traffic/airport 4
Month by month
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 23, 2026 | 5 | 0% | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2026 | 4 | 0% | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2025 | 4 | 0% | 1 |
| Oct 19, 2025 | 4 | 0% | 0 |
| Nov 21, 2025 | 4 | 0% | 0 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Dallas or Los Angeles. DFW → SNA has been 9 points more reliable.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAL → LAX (this route) | 1,485 | 68% | 1.0% |
| DFW → SNA Dallas/Fort Worth to Orange County John Wayne | 2,956 | 77% | 2.4% |
| DFW → LAX Dallas/Fort Worth to Los Angeles LAX | 6,184 | 72% | 2.1% |
| DAL → BUR Dallas Love Field to Hollywood Burbank | 394 | 70% | 1.5% |
| DAL → LGB Dallas Love Field to Long Beach | 484 | 70% | 1.2% |
| DFW → ONT Dallas/Fort Worth to Ontario | 2,274 | 70% | 2.2% |
| DAL → SNA Dallas Love Field to Orange County John Wayne | 368 | 70% | 0.8% |
Questions
How often are flights from DAL to LAX on time?
68% of 1,485 scheduled flights from Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 1.0% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly DAL to LAX?
Flights scheduled to leave at 6 a.m. were the most reliable (93% on time). The 8 p.m. departures were the least (45%).
What month has the most delays from DAL to LAX?
June (56% on time). The best month is October (80%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from DAL to LAX more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last DAL–LAX flight of the day was cancelled 1.9% of the time over the past year, against 0.7% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- LAX → DAL (return)
- Dallas Love Field (DAL) delays by hour
- Flights into Los Angeles LAX (LAX)
- 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.