United Airlines
UA 540
21/08/2026
SFO
DEN
San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport
2h 50min
1554 km
Denver
Denver International Airport
Preliminary check
These data do not show grounds for compensation. If you suffered other disruption, let us review it.
€400per passenger
Start compensation claimFlight UA 540 on 21/08/2026 from San Francisco to Denver arrived 20min late.
A delay of 20min stays below the 3-hour threshold Reg. EC 261/2004 sets for compensation. Assistance — and in some cases reimbursement of expenses — is still owed.
Scheduled times
Departure · SFO
12:35
21/08 · PDT
19:35 UTC · 21/08
Arrival · DEN
16:25
21/08 · MDT
22:25 UTC · 21/08
Actual times
Departure
12:52
21/08 · PDT
19:52 UTC · 21/08
Arrival
16:45
21/08 · MDT
22:45 UTC · 21/08
Operator & Codeshare
United Airlines
Operating carrier
Also sold as:
- ACAC 4049Air Canada
- LXLX 3145Swiss
- NZNZ 9056Air New Zealand
- VAVA 8338Virgin Australia
EU 261/2004 compensation must always be claimed from the operating carrier.
Reliability of the SFO → DEN route
3041 flights analysed over 2025-09 → 2026-08
18′
Average delay
2.3%
EC 261 cases
1.3%
Cancelled
1420′
Worst delay
On-time performance by time of day
Share of on-time flights and average arrival delay for each time band.
Airlines on this route
| Airline | Flights | On time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | 743 | 57% | 29′ |
| United Airlines | 1921 | 80% | 12′ |
| Frontier Airlines | 370 | 68% | 25′ |
UA 540 on other days
Arrival delay across the last 17 recorded days
Each bar is one day: the taller it is, the later the flight arrived. Click to open that flight.
Event timeline
- UTC 21/08 19:53Air traffic control
Flight departed
- Estimated Gate Departure changed 12:53 → 12:52
- Status changed from Scheduled to Active
- UTC 21/08 19:50Airline
Schedule update
- Estimated Gate Departure changed 12:48 → 12:53
Your rights on this route
Reg. EC 261/2004, art. 7 — the amount depends on flight distance
This is the amount the regulation sets for this distance band. It is not a promise of outcome: it is owed only if the conditions are met (at least 3 hours' arrival delay, cancellation, denied boarding) and the airline cannot prove extraordinary circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
- When is compensation due?
- When the flight reaches its destination at least 3 hours late, is cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, or you are denied boarding due to overbooking. On this route the amount is €400 per passenger.
- What counts as extraordinary circumstances?
- Events outside the airline's control: prohibitive weather, air traffic control strikes, medical or security emergencies. An ordinary technical fault or a strike by the airline's own staff usually does not qualify.
- How long do I have to claim?
- In Italy the limitation period is 2 years from the flight date. In other European countries it can run to 5 or 6 years, depending on the law applicable to the carrier.
- Does it apply if my ticket was cheap?
- Yes. Compensation under Reg. EC 261/2004 depends only on route distance and the disruption suffered, never on the ticket price. On this route it is €400 regardless of the fare.
EU 261/2004 compensation
Experienced a disruption?
Delay, cancellation or denied boarding? Start a free, no-obligation check.
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