New York (JFK) to Phoenix (PHX): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
New York (JFK) to Phoenix (PHX) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 91% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 64% — a 27-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 80% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (86% vs 73%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 80%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 16 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.0%
- Flights/day
- 8.0
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 5h 40m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 2,153 mi
Best airline from JFK to PHX
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlinesmost reliable | 84% | 15 min | 1.9% | 2,754 |
| Delta Air Lines | 78% | 17 min | 2.3% | 1,817 |
| JetBlue Airways | 73% | 18 min | 1.9% | 1,065 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from JFK to PHX
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (90% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (64%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 80% | 15 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 83% | 15 min |
| Wednesday | 78% | 16 min |
| Thursday | 79% | 13 min |
| Friday | 80% | 18 min |
| Saturday | 82% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 77% | 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 aircraft34%
- Airline operations38%
- National airspace system25%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from JFK to PHX delayed?
- 20% of JFK–PHX 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 JFK to PHX?
- American Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 84%, based on 2,754 flights. 3 airlines flew JFK–PHX frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from JFK to PHX?
- Departures around 7 a.m. have the best record (90% on-time), while departures around 7 p.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 PHX?
- The scheduled JFK–PHX flight time averages 5h 40m over 2,153 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 20% of the time.
- How often are JFK to PHX flights cancelled?
- 2% 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 JFK to PHX?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 64% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 27-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 5,636 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.