New York (JFK) to Honolulu (HNL): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
New York (JFK) to Honolulu (HNL) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 89% of arrivals were on time; in February 2025 that fell to 50% — a 39-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 73% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 73%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.3%
- Flights/day
- 1.8
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 11h 2m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 4,983 mi
Best airline from JFK to HNL
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 80% | 13 min | 0.7% | 613 |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 69% | 19 min | 0.9% | 583 |
| Alaska Airlines | 60% | 34 min | 5.8% | 154 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from JFK to HNL
Aim for departures around 9 a.m. (78% on-time); avoid 8 a.m. departures (64%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 14 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 78% | 22 min |
| Wednesday | 76% | 17 min |
| Thursday | 76% | 14 min |
| Friday | 71% | 15 min |
| Saturday | 66% | 26 min |
| Sunday | 67% | 17 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft21%
- Airline operations61%
- National airspace system13%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from JFK to HNL delayed?
- 27% of JFK–HNL 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 18 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from JFK to HNL?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 80%, based on 613 flights. 3 airlines flew JFK–HNL frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from JFK to HNL?
- Departures around 9 a.m. have the best record (78% on-time), while departures around 8 a.m. have the worst (64%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from JFK to HNL?
- The scheduled JFK–HNL flight time averages 11h 2m over 4,983 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 27% of the time.
- How often are JFK to HNL flights cancelled?
- 1.3% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from JFK to HNL?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 50% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 39-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,350 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.