San Francisco (SFO) to New York (JFK): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
San Francisco (SFO) to New York (JFK) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2024, 89% of arrivals were on time; in July 2026 that fell to 63% — a 26-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 80% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 80%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 17 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.5%
- Flights/day
- 19
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 5h 40m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 2,586 mi
Best airline from SFO to JFK
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JetBlue Airwaysmost reliable | 81% | 16 min | 1.5% | 3,927 |
| American Airlines | 81% | 22 min | 2.0% | 2,994 |
| Delta Air Lines | 80% | 16 min | 1.3% | 4,671 |
| Alaska Airlines | 75% | 15 min | 1.3% | 2,375 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from SFO to JFK
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (89% on-time); avoid 1 p.m. departures (66%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 80% | 19 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 83% | 16 min |
| Wednesday | 82% | 13 min |
| Thursday | 77% | 19 min |
| Friday | 80% | 16 min |
| Saturday | 80% | 15 min |
| Sunday | 75% | 21 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft29%
- Airline operations37%
- National airspace system31%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from SFO to JFK delayed?
- 21% of SFO–JFK 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 17 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from SFO to JFK?
- JetBlue Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 81%, based on 3,927 flights. 4 airlines flew SFO–JFK frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from SFO to JFK?
- Departures around 7 a.m. have the best record (89% on-time), while departures around 1 p.m. have the worst (66%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from SFO to JFK?
- The scheduled SFO–JFK flight time averages 5h 40m over 2,586 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are SFO to JFK flights cancelled?
- 1.5% 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 SFO to JFK?
- July 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 63% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 26-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 13,967 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.