New Orleans (MSY) to New York (JFK): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Delays are only half the story on MSY–JFK: 3% of its scheduled flights were outright cancelled, well above the US norm, so a backup plan matters more here than on most routes. When flights do go, 76% land on time, below the national average of 78%. Delta Air Lines has been the safer pick, arriving on time 79% of the time.
- On-time
- 76%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 22 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.0%
- Flights/day
- 3.1
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 5m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,182 mi
Best airline from MSY to JFK
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 79% | 18 min | 3.5% | 1,453 |
| JetBlue Airways | 71% | 29 min | 2.1% | 899 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MSY to JFK
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (87% on-time); avoid 5 p.m. departures (53%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 73% | 20 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 80% | 13 min |
| Wednesday | 78% | 16 min |
| Thursday | 76% | 19 min |
| Friday | 79% | 24 min |
| Saturday | 77% | 29 min |
| Sunday | 70% | 36 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft42%
- Airline operations37%
- National airspace system21%
- Weather1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MSY to JFK delayed?
- 24% of MSY–JFK 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 22 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from MSY to JFK?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 79%, based on 1,453 flights. 2 airlines flew MSY–JFK frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MSY to JFK?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (87% on-time), while departures around 5 p.m. have the worst (53%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MSY to JFK?
- The scheduled MSY–JFK flight time averages 3h 5m over 1,182 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 24% of the time.
- How often are MSY to JFK flights cancelled?
- 3% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05 — several times the typical US rate, so consider earlier departures or backup options.
- What is the worst month to fly from MSY to JFK?
- August 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 56% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 90%. If your dates are flexible, that 35-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,362 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.