New Orleans (MSY) to Phoenix (PHX): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
New Orleans (MSY) to Phoenix (PHX) effectively runs on two schedules. In August 2025, 94% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 45% — a 49-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 76% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (91% vs 68%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 76%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 21 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.7%
- Flights/day
- 2.6
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 31m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,301 mi
Best airline from MSY to PHX
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlinesmost reliable | 76% | 13 min | 0.6% | 1,102 |
| American Airlines | 75% | 33 min | 0.7% | 694 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MSY to PHX
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (98% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (55%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 74% | 24 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 82% | 24 min |
| Wednesday | 75% | 13 min |
| Thursday | 74% | 17 min |
| Friday | 79% | 22 min |
| Saturday | 77% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 71% | 27 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft47%
- Airline operations42%
- National airspace system7%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MSY to PHX delayed?
- 24% of MSY–PHX 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 21 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from MSY to PHX?
- Southwest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 76%, based on 1,102 flights. 2 airlines flew MSY–PHX frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MSY to PHX?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (98% on-time), while departures around 7 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 MSY to PHX?
- The scheduled MSY–PHX flight time averages 3h 31m over 1,301 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 24% of the time.
- How often are MSY to PHX flights cancelled?
- 0.7% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from MSY to PHX?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 45% of arrivals on time. The best was August 2025 at 94%. If your dates are flexible, that 49-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
More routes from MSY
Other ways to fly to Phoenix (PHX)
Related guides
Based on 1,808 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.