New York (JFK) to Seattle (SEA): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
New York (JFK) to Seattle (SEA) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2024, 92% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 38% — a 54-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 73% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (80% vs 63%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 73%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 17 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.9%
- Flights/day
- 8.0
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 6h 21m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 2,422 mi
Best airline from JFK to SEA
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 76% | 15 min | 1.7% | 2,680 |
| Alaska Airlines | 71% | 19 min | 2.1% | 2,745 |
| JetBlue Airways | 68% | 22 min | 1.4% | 346 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from JFK to SEA
Aim for departures around 8 p.m. (85% on-time); avoid 6 p.m. departures (55%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 75% | 17 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 79% | 15 min |
| Wednesday | 76% | 17 min |
| Thursday | 70% | 17 min |
| Friday | 69% | 18 min |
| Saturday | 73% | 18 min |
| Sunday | 70% | 19 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft22%
- Airline operations33%
- National airspace system40%
- Weather4%
- Security1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from JFK to SEA delayed?
- 27% of JFK–SEA 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 17 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from JFK to SEA?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 76%, based on 2,680 flights. 3 airlines flew JFK–SEA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from JFK to SEA?
- Departures around 8 p.m. have the best record (85% on-time), while departures around 6 p.m. have the worst (55%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from JFK to SEA?
- The scheduled JFK–SEA flight time averages 6h 21m over 2,422 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 27% of the time.
- How often are JFK to SEA flights cancelled?
- 1.9% 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 SEA?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 38% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 54-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 5,771 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.