72% of flights from New York to Washington 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 78% of the time; the 5 p.m. ones 68%. 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 JFK → IAD: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 51% of the time. About 1 in 12 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 119 three hours or more; 5.2% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early72%
- 15–30 min late6.9%
- 30–60 min late7.3%
- 1–2 hours late5.2%
- 2–3 hours late2.5%
- 3+ hours late0.8%
- Diverted0.0%
- Cancelled5.2%
Share of all 713 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | 713 | 72% | 5.2% | −9 min | 8.6% | +65 min | Endeavor Air 75%, Republic Airways 25% |
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 JFK). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
Last flight of the day
On JFK → IAD, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 7.5% of the time, against 3.2% for its earlier flights (2.4× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 1.4% of the time (earlier flights: 0.3%). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | 4:40 p.m. | 7.5% | 1.4% | 3.2% | first flight 10:14 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 IAD tonight, book an earlier flight so there's a backup if it's cancelled.
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: November (83%). Worst: August (65%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 104 | 70% | 7.7% |
| Tuesday | 102 | 73% | 8.8% |
| Wednesday | 102 | 79% | 2.0% |
| Thursday | 101 | 70% | 5.9% |
| Friday | 102 | 78% | 2.9% |
| Saturday | 101 | 69% | 4.0% |
| Sunday | 101 | 64% | 5.0% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: airline 15 · air traffic/airport 14 · weather 8
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 New York or Washington. ISP → BWI has been 12 points more reliable.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| JFK → IAD (this route) | 713 | 72% | 5.2% |
| ISP → BWI Long Island MacArthur to Baltimore/Washington | 1,259 | 84% | 1.5% |
| EWR → IAD Newark to Washington Dulles | 1,826 | 72% | 3.0% |
| LGA → IAD LaGuardia to Washington Dulles | 1,450 | 69% | 7.1% |
| LGA → DCA LaGuardia to Washington Reagan National | 4,841 | 62% | 5.8% |
| JFK → DCA New York JFK to Washington Reagan National | 2,761 | 62% | 6.5% |
| EWR → DCA Newark to Washington Reagan National | 3,247 | 59% | 5.7% |
Questions
How often are flights from JFK to IAD on time?
72% of 713 scheduled flights from New York, NY to Washington, DC arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 5.2% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly JFK to IAD?
Flights scheduled to leave at 10 a.m. were the most reliable (78% on time). The 5 p.m. departures were the least (68%).
What month has the most delays from JFK to IAD?
August (65% on time). The best month is November (83%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from JFK to IAD more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last JFK–IAD flight of the day was cancelled 7.5% of the time over the past year, against 3.2% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- IAD → JFK (return)
- New York JFK (JFK) delays by hour
- Flights into Washington Dulles (IAD)
- Delta Air Lines 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.