Newark (EWR) to Raleigh/Durham (RDU): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
The biggest risk when flying EWR to RDU isn't a late arrival — it's not departing at all. 3% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled, several times the typical US rate. When flights do go, 75% land on time, below the national average of 78%. Republic Airways has been the safer pick, arriving on time 86% of the time.
- On-time
- 75%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 19 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.0%
- Flights/day
- 5.5
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 45m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 416 mi
Best airline from EWR to RDU
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 86% | 9 min | 3.0% | 573 |
| United Airlines | 75% | 19 min | 1.9% | 2,936 |
| Endeavor Air | 72% | 30 min | 5.6% | 486 |
| Spirit Airlines | 61% | 29 min | 9.8% | 255 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from EWR to RDU
Aim for departures around 12 p.m. (90% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (58%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 74% | 18 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 82% | 12 min |
| Wednesday | 78% | 16 min |
| Thursday | 70% | 24 min |
| Friday | 72% | 21 min |
| Saturday | 76% | 23 min |
| Sunday | 76% | 21 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft49%
- Airline operations24%
- National airspace system22%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from EWR to RDU delayed?
- 25% of EWR–RDU 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 19 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from EWR to RDU?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 86%, based on 573 flights. 4 airlines flew EWR–RDU frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from EWR to RDU?
- Departures around 12 p.m. have the best record (90% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (58%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from EWR to RDU?
- The scheduled EWR–RDU flight time averages 1h 45m over 416 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 25% of the time.
- How often are EWR to RDU flights cancelled?
- 3% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05 — several times the typical US rate, so consider earlier departures or backup options.
- What is the worst month to fly from EWR to RDU?
- May 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 60% of arrivals on time. The best was May 2026 at 87%. If your dates are flexible, that 27-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 4,250 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.