Charlotte (CLT) to New Orleans (MSY): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Charlotte (CLT) to New Orleans (MSY) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2024, 95% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 51% — a 43-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 78% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (86% vs 70%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 78%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 16 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.7%
- Flights/day
- 4.8
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 5m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 650 mi
Best airline from CLT to MSY
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit Airlinesmost reliable | 83% | 18 min | 1.1% | 272 |
| American Airlines | 78% | 16 min | 1.7% | 3,493 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from CLT to MSY
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (91% on-time); avoid 6 p.m. departures (62%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 76% | 17 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 83% | 12 min |
| Wednesday | 82% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 76% | 18 min |
| Friday | 78% | 18 min |
| Saturday | 78% | 15 min |
| Sunday | 74% | 20 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft46%
- Airline operations38%
- National airspace system12%
- Weather4%
- Security1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from CLT to MSY delayed?
- 22% of CLT–MSY flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-06 and 2026-05. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 16 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from CLT to MSY?
- Spirit Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 83%, based on 272 flights. 2 airlines flew CLT–MSY frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from CLT to MSY?
- Departures around 7 a.m. have the best record (91% on-time), while departures around 6 p.m. have the worst (62%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from CLT to MSY?
- The scheduled CLT–MSY flight time averages 2h 5m over 650 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 22% of the time.
- How often are CLT to MSY flights cancelled?
- 1.7% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from CLT to MSY?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 51% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 95%. If your dates are flexible, that 43-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 3,792 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.