New York (JFK) to New Orleans (MSY): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
The biggest risk when flying JFK to MSY isn't a late arrival — it's not departing at all. 3.4% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled, several times the typical US rate. When flights do go, 80% land on time, no worse than the national average of 78%.
- On-time
- 80%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 16 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.4%
- Flights/day
- 3.1
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 30m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,182 mi
Best airline from JFK to MSY
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 82% | 15 min | 3.9% | 1,512 |
| JetBlue Airways | 78% | 17 min | 2.7% | 917 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from JFK to MSY
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (88% on-time); avoid 2 p.m. departures (61%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 77% | 18 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 86% | 11 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 86% | 9 min |
| Thursday | 78% | 19 min |
| Friday | 82% | 15 min |
| Saturday | 77% | 15 min |
| Sunday | 75% | 25 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft24%
- Airline operations45%
- National airspace system28%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from JFK to MSY delayed?
- 20% of JFK–MSY flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-07 and 2026-07. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 16 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from JFK to MSY?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 82%, based on 1,512 flights. 2 airlines flew JFK–MSY frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from JFK to MSY?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (88% on-time), while departures around 2 p.m. have the worst (61%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from JFK to MSY?
- The scheduled JFK–MSY flight time averages 3h 30m over 1,182 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 20% of the time.
- How often are JFK to MSY flights cancelled?
- 3.4% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07 — several times the typical US rate, so consider earlier departures or backup options.
- What is the worst month to fly from JFK to MSY?
- July 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 63% of arrivals on time. The best was April 2026 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 29-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
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Based on 2,439 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.