San Francisco (SFO) to New York (JFK): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
San Francisco (SFO) to New York (JFK) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2024, 89% of arrivals were on time; in July 2025 that fell to 68% — a 21-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 81% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 17 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.3%
- Flights/day
- 18
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 5h 39m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 2,586 mi
Best airline from SFO to JFK
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JetBlue Airwaysmost reliable | 83% | 15 min | 1.3% | 3,717 |
| American Airlines | 82% | 21 min | 1.8% | 2,811 |
| Delta Air Lines | 81% | 16 min | 1.0% | 4,478 |
| Alaska Airlines | 74% | 16 min | 1.2% | 2,303 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from SFO to JFK
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (90% on-time); avoid 1 p.m. departures (67%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 81% | 17 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 84% | 15 min |
| Wednesday | 83% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 80% | 18 min |
| Friday | 80% | 16 min |
| Saturday | 81% | 15 min |
| Sunday | 75% | 23 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft27%
- Airline operations38%
- National airspace system32%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from SFO to JFK delayed?
- 19% of SFO–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 17 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from SFO to JFK?
- JetBlue Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 83%, based on 3,717 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 6 a.m. have the best record (90% on-time), while departures around 1 p.m. have the worst (67%). 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 39m over 2,586 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 19% of the time.
- How often are SFO to JFK flights cancelled?
- 1.3% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from SFO to JFK?
- July 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 68% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 21-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 13,309 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.