80% of flights from New York to Santa Ana arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is about the typical U.S. route. The 8 a.m. departures ran on time 83% of the time; the 7 a.m. ones 77%. Most reliable airline: American Airlines (81%). 9% 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 → SNA: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 57% of the time. About 1 in 18 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 82 three hours or more; 2.4% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early80%
- 15–30 min late6.3%
- 30–60 min late5.7%
- 1–2 hours late3.9%
- 2–3 hours late0.6%
- 3+ hours late1.2%
- Diverted0.4%
- Cancelled2.4%
Share of all 493 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 376 | 81% | 2.1% | −10 min | 4.8% | +57 min | American Airlines |
| Delta Air Lines | 117 | 76% | 3.4% | −3 min | 8.5% | +82 min | Delta Air Lines |
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.
By airline and hour
| Departs | American Airlines |
|---|---|
| 7 a.m. | 79% |
| 8 a.m. | 83% |
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: May (93%). Worst: August (76%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 72 | — | — |
| Tuesday | 69 | — | — |
| Wednesday | 69 | — | — |
| Thursday | 70 | — | — |
| Friday | 71 | — | — |
| Saturday | 72 | — | — |
| Sunday | 70 | — | — |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 12
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 Santa Ana. None has been clearly more reliable than JFK → SNA.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| JFK → SNA (this route) | 493 | 80% | 2.4% |
| EWR → SNA Newark to Orange County John Wayne | 1,091 | 82% | 2.0% |
| JFK → LAX New York JFK to Los Angeles LAX | 10,285 | 73% | 2.8% |
| EWR → LAX Newark to Los Angeles LAX | 4,750 | 69% | 2.5% |
Questions
How often are flights from JFK to SNA on time?
80% of 493 scheduled flights from New York, NY to Santa Ana, CA arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 2.4% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly JFK to SNA?
Flights scheduled to leave at 8 a.m. were the most reliable (83% on time). The 7 a.m. departures were the least (77%).
Which airline is most on time from JFK to SNA?
American Airlines: 81% of its 376 flights on the route arrived on time. Delta Air Lines: 76%.
What month has the most delays from JFK to SNA?
August (76% on time). The best month is May (93%), over 2023–2026.
Related
- SNA → JFK (return)
- New York JFK (JFK) delays by hour
- Flights into Orange County John Wayne (SNA)
- American Airlines on-time record
- 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.