New York (LGA) to New Orleans (MSY): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
New York (LGA) to New Orleans (MSY) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2024, 88% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 52% — a 36-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 (84% vs 64%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 73%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 21 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.7%
- Flights/day
- 3.9
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 26m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,183 mi
Best airline from LGA to MSY
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 77% | 19 min | 3.0% | 1,448 |
| American Airlines | 71% | 24 min | 2.4% | 547 |
| Southwest Airlines | 64% | 25 min | 2.7% | 666 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from LGA to MSY
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (93% on-time); avoid 5 p.m. departures (52%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 70% | 20 min |
| Tuesday | 74% | 21 min |
| Wednesday | 74% | 23 min |
| Thursday | 74% | 21 min |
| Friday | 71% | 26 min |
| Saturdaybest | 81% | 12 min |
| Sunday | 69% | 22 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft40%
- Airline operations31%
- National airspace system25%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from LGA to MSY delayed?
- 27% of LGA–MSY 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 21 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from LGA to MSY?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 77%, based on 1,448 flights. 3 airlines flew LGA–MSY frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from LGA to MSY?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (93% on-time), while departures around 5 p.m. have the worst (52%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from LGA to MSY?
- The scheduled LGA–MSY flight time averages 3h 26m over 1,183 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 27% of the time.
- How often are LGA to MSY flights cancelled?
- 2.7% 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 LGA to MSY?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 52% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 88%. If your dates are flexible, that 36-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,751 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.