In this post, we reveal the top 10 airlines that offered the most on-time performance in 2023, according to CIRIUM.
*Note that for a flight to be on time, it must arrive at the gate within 15 minutes.
Top 10 Global Airlines for On-Time Performance
Taking the lead globally for on-time arrivals in 2023 is AVIANCA, with an on-time arrival rate of 85.73%. Following closely behind is Azul Airlines, securing the second position with 85.51%, while Qatar Airways takes the third spot with 85.11%.
| On-Time Ranking | Airlines | On-Time Arrival | Total Flights |
| 1 | SA AVIANCA (AV) | 85.73% | 213,039 |
| 2 | Azul (AD) | 85.51% | 310,972 |
| 3 | Qatar Airways (QR) | 85.11% | 183,090 |
| 4 | Delta Air Lines (DL) | 84.72% | 1,635,486 |
| 5 | Iberia (IB) | 84.38% | 170,750 |
| 6 | LATAM Airlines (LA) | 84.00% | 508,721 |
| 7 | ANA (NH) | 82.75% | 302,279 |
| 8 | JAL (JL) | 82.58% | 308,302 |
| 9 | Saudia (SV) | 81.29% | 174,256 |
| 10 | American Airlines (AA) | 80.61% | 1,998,844 |
Note that for the Global airlines category, Cirium considers the Top 10% of all passenger airlines by Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs), flights and seats. Moreover, the airline must also serve at least three regions.
Top 10 Airlines for On-Time Performance in North America
In North America, Delta Air Lines continues its reign as the leader in on-time performance, boasting an impressive 84.72% on-time arrival rate. Alaska Airlines and American Airlines secured the second and third positions with on-time arrival rates of 82.25% and 80.61% respectively.
Moreover, Delta Air Lines has once again showcased its operational capabilities by winning the Cirium Platinum Award for the third consecutive year.
| On-Time Ranking | Airlines | On-Time Arrival | Total Flights |
| 1 | Delta Air Lines (DL) | 84.72% | 1,635,486 |
| 2 | Alaska Airlines (AS) | 82.25% | 404,925 |
| 3 | American Airlines (AA) | 80.61% | 1,998,844 |
| 4 | United Airlines (UA) | 80.04% | 1,513,432 |
| 5 | Southwest Airlines (WN) | 76.26% | 1,459,926 |
| 6 | Spirit Airlines (NK) | 71.16% | 298,600 |
| 7 | WestJet (WS) | 69.29% | 182,296 |
| 8 | Frontier Airlines (F9) | 68.68% | 191,369 |
| 9 | JetBlue Airways (B6) | 68.33% | 350,731 |
| 10 | Air Canada (AC) | 63.17% | 376,451 |
“This prestigious accolade is a testament to Delta’s unwavering commitment to punctuality and operational excellence. The Cirium Platinum Award is not just about on-time performance; it also considers the airline’s network, volume of flights, and the ability to limit the impact of flight disruptions on passengers.”
Mike Malik, Chief Marketing Officer of CIRIUM
Top 10 Airlines for On-Time Performance in Asia Pacific
Across the Asia Pacific region, ANA leads the pack with an on-time arrival rate of 82.75%, closely followed by JAL with 82.58%.
Thai AirAsia and IndiGo also earn notable positions among the top performers, highlighting these low-cost carrier’s dedication to ensuring timely arrivals for passengers traveling within the region.
| On-Time Ranking | Airlines | On-Time Arrival | Total Flights |
| 1 | ANA (NH) | 82.75% | 302,279 |
| 2 | JAL (JL) | 82.58% | 308,302 |
| 3 | Thai AirAsia (FD) | 82.52% | 113,871 |
| 4 | IndiGo (6E) | 82.12% | 678,446 |
| 5 | Air New Zealand (NZ) | 79.68% | 175,876 |
| 6 | Garuda Indonesia (GA) | 78.67% | 61,525 |
| 7 | Singapore Airlines (SQ) | 78.57% | 99,653 |
| 8 | Philippine Airlines (PR) | 77.46% | 106,720 |
| 9 | Vietnam Airlines (VN) | 77.46% | 150,674 |
| 10 | Cathay Pacific (CX) | 76.32% | 73,578 |
Top 10 Airlines for On-Time Performance in Europe
In Europe, Iberia Express emerged as the top performer with an on-time arrival rate of 84.58%. Iberia and Austrian Airlines also maintain strong performances, securing positions among the top three airlines for on-time arrivals.
| On-Time Ranking | Airlines | On-Time Arrival | Total Flights |
| 1 | Iberia Express (12) | 84.58% | 40,985 |
| 2 | Iberia (IB) | 84.38% | 170,750 |
| 3 | Austrian (OS) | 82.99% | 113,587 |
| 4 | LOT – Polish Airlines (LO) | 82.83% | 96,112 |
| 5 | Norwegian Air Shuttle (DY) | 82.75% | 82,791 |
| 6 | Vueling (VY) | 80.85% | 216,594 |
| 7 | Finnair (AY) | 80.39% | 100,566 |
| 8 | Norwegian Air Sweden (D8) | 76.65% | 56,852 |
| 9 | Icelandair (FI) | 76.48% | 34,514 |
| 10 | KLM (KL) | 76.29% | 240,533 |
Top 10 Airlines for On-Time Performance in Latin America
Copa Airlines leads the way in Latin America, achieving an on-time arrival rate of 89.46%.
AVIANCA and Azul Airlines also demonstrated commendable performances, underscoring their continuous commitment to ensuring punctuality.
| On-Time Ranking | Airlines | On-Time Arrival | Total Flights |
| 1 | Copa Airlines (CM) | 89.46% | 115,657 |
| 2 | SA AVIANCA (AV) | 85.73% | 213,039 |
| 3 | Azul (AD) | 85.51% | 310,972 |
| 4 | LATAM Airlines (LA) | 84.00% | 508,721 |
| 5 | Caribbean Airlines (BW) | 81.73% | 26,644 |
| 6 | Sky Airline (H2) | 80.57% | 53,459 |
| 7 | Aeromexico (AM) | 77.48% | 203,632 |
| 8 | Gol (G3) | 76.63% | 225,858 |
| 9 | Aerolineas Argentinas (AR) | 73.95% | 114,227 |
“Latin America continued to see growth in operations throughout 2023. The top carriers in the region operated at 117% of their pre-pandemic levels and are fully expected to continue to see growth in 2024.”
Jay Morgan Director, Professional Data Services, Cirium
Top 10 Airlines for On-Time Performance in Middle East & Africa
Oman Air topped the list of the airlines in the Middle East & Africa region, boasting an impressive on-time arrival rate of 92.53%.
Moreover, Safair and Royal Jordanian also earned notable positions among the top performers, with on-time arrival rates of 92.36% and 87.51% respectively.
| On-Time Ranking | Airlines | On-Time Arrival | Total Flights |
| 1 | Oman Air (WY) | 92.53% | 45,908 |
| 2 | Safair (FA) | 92.36% | 55,444 |
| 3 | Royal Jordanian (RJ) | 87.51% | 32,706 |
| 4 | Qatar Airways (QR) | 85.11% | 183,090 |
| 5 | Etihad Airways (EY) | 82.90% | 65,376 |
| 6 | Saudia (SV) | 81.29% | 174,256 |
| 7 | Middle East Airlines (ME) | 79.15% | 23,397 |
| 8 | Emirates (EK) | 78.48% | 164,442 |
| 9 | Kuwait Airways (KU) | 73.18% | 32,727 |
| 10 | Kenya Airways (KQ) | 71.86% | 41,905 |
“Oman Air once again achieved the highest on-time performance score of 92.53% for the Middle East and Africa region in 2023. This was also the highest score among all carriers across all categories. On-time performance in the region was especially competitive with Safair following closely behind taking 2nd place and Royal Jordanian taking 3rd place.”
Lydia Webb, Marketing Director, Cirium
Top 10 Low-Cost Airlines for On-Time Performance
Safair leads the pack among low-cost carriers worldwide, achieving an outstanding on-time arrival rate of 92.36%.
Azul Airlines and Hong Kong Express follow closely behind, securing positions among the top three low-cost carriers for on-time performance. These airlines also demonstrate that affordability does not compromise punctuality.
| On-Time Ranking | Airlines | On-Time Arrival | Total Flights |
| 1 | Safair (FA) | 92.36% | 55,444 |
| 2 | Azul (AD) | 85.51% | 310,972 |
| 3 | Hong Kong Express (UO) | 85.23% | 23,761 |
| 4 | Jetstar Japan (GK) | 84.60% | 33,932 |
| 5 | Iberia Express (12) | 84.58% | 40,985 |
| 6 | Norwegian Air Shuttle (DY) | 82.75% | 82,791 |
| 7 | Thai AirAsia (FD) | 82.52% | 113,871 |
| 8 | IndiGo (6E) | 82.12% | 678,446 |
| 9 | Vueling (VY) | 80.85% | 216,594 |
| 10 | Sky Airline (H2) | 80.57% | 53,459 |
While various factors can influence on-time performance, including weather conditions and operational challenges, the airlines mentioned above have consistently delivered on their commitment to punctuality in 2023.
Flight Delay – Know Your Rights
Did you have a delayed or canceled flight? You may be entitled to compensation with SkyCop. Don’t pass up this opportunity!
The European Regulation EC261 rule is an extensive bit of legislation that requires airlines to compensate passengers in the event of:
- Denied boarding
- Flight cancellation
- Long delay of flights (three or more hours)
Under EC261 you may be eligible for compensation reaching up to EUR 600 if your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours or gets canceled.
SkyCop can help you if you have a flight disruption within the EU (on any airline), leaving the EU (on any airline), or arriving into the EU (on an EU airline).
Source: CIRIUM