71% of flights from Newark to Wilmington arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is worse than the typical U.S. route. The 10 a.m. departures ran on time 83% of the time; the 9 p.m. ones 67%. 14% of flights arrived more than an hour late or not at all.
How late?
The on-time rate treats a flight 20 minutes late the same as one 5 hours late. Here's the split for EWR → ILM: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 54% of the time. About 1 in 13 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 80 three hours or more; 6.4% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early71%
- 15–30 min late9.2%
- 30–60 min late5.7%
- 1–2 hours late5.1%
- 2–3 hours late1.2%
- 3+ hours late1.2%
- Diverted0.0%
- Cancelled6.4%
Share of all 721 scheduled flights, past 12 months, by arrival time against schedule.
By airline
| Airline | Flights | On time | Cancelled | Typical arrival | 1h+ late | Avg when late | Operated by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | 721 | 71% | 6.4% | −6 min | 7.6% | +64 min | Republic Airways 56%, GoJet 44% |
Airline = the name on the ticket. Regional flights (e.g. "Delta Connection") count under the ticketing airline, and the operator is listed.
Best time of day to fly
On-time rate by scheduled departure hour (local time at EWR). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
Last flight of the day
On EWR → ILM, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 10.4% of the time, against 2.5% for its earlier flights (4.1× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 0.8% of the time (earlier flights: 1.7%). It matters more than the numbers suggest. Miss an earlier flight and there's another one that evening; miss the last one and you're usually waiting until morning.
| Airline | Last departure | Last: cancelled | Last: 3h+ late | Earlier: cancelled | Next morning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | 9:59 p.m. | 10.4% | 0.8% | 2.5% | first flight 10:22 a.m. |
Last flight = the airline's last scheduled departure on this route that day, on days it flies the route at least twice; past 12 months. Times are typical scheduled times over the latest three months.
If you need to be in ILM tonight, book an earlier flight so there's a backup if it's cancelled.
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: April (83%). Worst: July (54%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 106 | 71% | 5.7% |
| Tuesday | 104 | 69% | 3.9% |
| Wednesday | 102 | 76% | 3.9% |
| Thursday | 103 | 68% | 9.7% |
| Friday | 104 | 72% | 3.9% |
| Saturday | 98 | — | — |
| Sunday | 104 | 64% | 10.6% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 28 · air traffic/airport 16 · security 2
Month by month
Not enough months with data to draw a trend.
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Newark or Wilmington. None has been clearly more reliable than EWR → ILM.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| EWR → ILM (this route) | 721 | 71% | 6.4% |
| LGA → ILM LaGuardia to Wilmington | 1,844 | 67% | 7.2% |
Questions
How often are flights from EWR to ILM on time?
71% of 721 scheduled flights from Newark, NJ to Wilmington, NC arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 6.4% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly EWR to ILM?
Flights scheduled to leave at 10 a.m. were the most reliable (83% on time). The 9 p.m. departures were the least (67%).
What month has the most delays from EWR to ILM?
July (54% on time). The best month is April (83%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from EWR to ILM more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last EWR–ILM flight of the day was cancelled 10.4% of the time over the past year, against 2.5% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- ILM → EWR (return)
- Newark (EWR) delays by hour
- Flights into Wilmington (ILM)
- United Airlines on-time record
- Connecting off this flight? Check the risk
Domestic flights by the airlines that report to the U.S. DOT, plus their regional partners. "On time" means arriving less than 15 minutes after schedule; cancelled and diverted flights count as not on time. Past performance is a guide, not a forecast. Method.