New York (JFK) to Seattle (SEA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 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 74% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (80% vs 64%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 74%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.2%
- 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 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 76% | 15 min | 2.0% | 2,803 |
| Alaska Airlines | 72% | 19 min | 2.3% | 2,870 |
| JetBlue Airways | 69% | 25 min | 2.7% | 377 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from JFK to SEA
Aim for departures around 11 a.m. (84% on-time); avoid 6 p.m. departures (56%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 75% | 17 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 78% | 17 min |
| Wednesday | 76% | 17 min |
| Thursday | 72% | 16 min |
| Friday | 71% | 17 min |
| Saturday | 74% | 19 min |
| Sunday | 70% | 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 aircraft23%
- Airline operations33%
- National airspace system39%
- Weather5%
- Security1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from JFK to SEA delayed?
- 26% of JFK–SEA 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 18 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 2,803 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 11 a.m. have the best record (84% on-time), while departures around 6 p.m. have the worst (56%). 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 26% of the time.
- How often are JFK to SEA flights cancelled?
- 2.2% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, 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 6,050 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.