Flight Check

Best & Worst Time to Fly

When to book to avoid delays — by time of day, day of week, and month. All data from BTS.

Updated October 2026

Based on Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, flights departing between 6-8 AM are 10-15% more likely to be on time than evening flights. October is the most reliable month at 85% on-time. July is the worst at 73% on-time.

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, data through 2026-07. Updated October 2026.

By Time of Day

Morning

6-8 AM

Best on-time

Midday

11-2 PM

Moderate

Evening

6-9 PM

Most delays

Aircraft start the day on schedule. Delays cascade through subsequent legs, so the later you fly, the more likely your plane is already running behind.

By Day of Week

Mon

Good

Tue

Best

Wed

Best

Thu

Good

Fri

Avoid PM

Sat

Good

Sun

Avoid PM

Tuesday and Wednesday have the least congestion. Friday PM and Sunday PM see weekend travel surges that reduce airlines' ability to recover from disruptions.

By Month — Best to Worst

1October
85%on time
2November
85%on time
3September
85%on time
4February
82%on time
5April
81%on time
6December
80%on time
7January
79%on time
8March
79%on time
9May
79%on time
10August
79%on time
11June
76%on time
12July
73%on time

Why Certain Months Are Worse

  • •Summer thunderstorms (Jun-Aug). Convective weather causes ground stops at major hubs.
  • •Winter weather (Dec-Feb). Snow, ice, and deicing slow everything down. Nor'easters can shut down the Northeast.
  • •Holiday surges. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break push airports to capacity.
  • •Hurricane season (Aug-Oct). Gulf and East Coast airports face cancellations during active periods.

When to Fly — Popular Routes

See the best and worst months for delays on the busiest U.S. routes.

OGG → HNLMaui to HonoluluLAX → SFOLos Angeles to San FranciscoHNL → OGGHonolulu to MauiSFO → LAXSan Francisco to Los AngelesLGA → ORDNew York to ChicagoORD → LGAChicago to New YorkJFK → LAXNew York to Los AngelesLAX → JFKLos Angeles to New YorkBOS → DCABoston to WashingtonDCA → BOSWashington to BostonLAX → LASLos Angeles to Las VegasLAS → LAXLas Vegas to Los AngelesPHX → DENPhoenix to DenverDEN → PHXDenver to PhoenixMCO → ATLOrlando to AtlantaATL → MCOAtlanta to OrlandoLIH → HNLKauai to HonoluluHNL → LIHHonolulu to KauaiDEN → LASDenver to Las VegasLAS → DENLas Vegas to DenverATL → LGAAtlanta to New YorkLGA → ATLNew York to AtlantaDEN → SLCDenver to Salt Lake CitySLC → DENSalt Lake City to DenverKOA → HNLKona to HonoluluHNL → KOAHonolulu to KonaLGA → BOSNew York to BostonBOS → LGABoston to New YorkDEN → LAXDenver to Los AngelesLAX → DENLos Angeles to DenverATL → FLLAtlanta to Fort LauderdaleFLL → ATLFort Lauderdale to AtlantaLAX → SEALos Angeles to SeattleSEA → LAXSeattle to Los AngelesSEA → PHXSeattle to PhoenixSEA → ANCSeattle to AnchorageLAX → PHXLos Angeles to PhoenixPHX → SEAPhoenix to SeattleANC → SEAAnchorage to SeattlePHX → LAXPhoenix to Los AngelesORD → BOSChicago to BostonBOS → ORDBoston to ChicagoATL → DCAAtlanta to WashingtonDCA → ATLWashington to AtlantaSFO → JFKSan Francisco to New YorkJFK → SFONew York to San FranciscoORD → LAXChicago to Los AngelesLAX → ORDLos Angeles to ChicagoMCO → EWROrlando to NewarkEWR → MCONewark to Orlando

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