2024's Most On-Time Airlines and Airports Revealed | IaM (Immigration and Migration)

2024’s Most On-Time Airlines and Airports Revealed

Flying can be stressful for various reasons, but knowing which airlines will most likely help you make connections can ease pre-travel anxiety.

Airline meltdowns became a recurring theme in 2024, with technical glitches and unseasonable winter storms disrupting travel plans worldwide. For travellers, prioritising punctual airlines is now more crucial than ever.

Aviation analytics firm Cirium’s annual report highlights the industry’s top performers, showcasing carriers and airports that excelled in maintaining on-time operations despite challenging circumstances.

For this ranking, a flight is deemed “on time” if it departs or arrives within 14 minutes and 59 seconds of its scheduled time.

A large jetliner sitting on top of an airport runway

Top 5 Global Airlines by Punctuality

Aeromexico — 86.70% on-time arrivals
Saudia — 86.35% on-time arrivals
Delta Air Lines — 83.46% on-time arrivals
LATAM Airlines — 82.89% on-time arrivals
Qatar Airways — 82.83% on-time arrivals

Mexico’s flag carrier, Aeromexico, emerged as the world’s most punctual airline in 2024, achieving an impressive 86.70% on-time arrival rate. Saudia secured second place, while Delta Air Lines led North America and rounded out the global top three. LATAM Airlines and Qatar Airways followed closely in fourth and fifth positions, respectively.

Most Punctual North American Airlines

Delta Air Lines — 83.46% on-time arrivals
United Airlines — 80.93% on-time arrivals
Alaska Airlines — 79.25% on-time arrivals
American Airlines — 77.78% on-time arrivals
Southwest Airlines — 77.77% on-time arrivals

Delta Air Lines dominated the North American category, maintaining its reputation as a reliable choice for travellers. United Airlines and Alaska Airlines claimed the second and third spots, respectively, with American Airlines and Southwest Airlines completing the list.

Most Punctual Low-Cost Carriers

Iberia Express — 84.69% on-time arrivals
Gol — 84.09% on-time arrivals
Azul — 82.42% on-time arrivals
Peach Aviation — 82.32% on-time arrivals
Vueling — 81.20% on-time arrivals

Iberia Express not only led the low-cost carrier category but also ranked as Europe’s most punctual airline overall. Latin American carriers Gol and Azul followed, while Japan’s Peach Aviation and Spain’s Vueling rounded out the top five.

Top 5 Global Airports by Punctuality

Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH) — 86.65% on-time departures
Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) — 84.57% on-time departures
Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) — 84.04% on-time departures
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) — 83.80% on-time departures
Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Intl Airport (SCL) — 82.84% on-time departures

Riyadh King Khalid International Airport was the most punctual global airport in 2024, achieving a stellar 86.65% on-time departure rate. Notably, Latin America also stood out, with Lima and Mexico City airports securing the second and third spots.

Recognising Outstanding Achievements

Cirium’s Airline Platinum Award, which evaluates operational excellence beyond punctuality, went to Delta Air Lines for the fourth consecutive year. This accolade considers factors such as network complexity, flight volume, and the ability to minimize passenger disruption.

In a new category introduced this year, Cirium’s first-ever Airport Platinum Award recognized Bogotá El Dorado Airport for balancing operational efficiency with passenger satisfaction. The accolade highlights the airport’s capacity to manage delays and disruptions while maintaining growth and appeal.

“2024 was a difficult year for airlines, with large-scale IT outages and severe weather patterns,” said Cirium CEO Jeremy Bowen. “Despite these challenges, these airlines and airports worked tirelessly to ensure customers reached their destinations on time.”

For travellers, these rankings provide valuable insights into choosing airlines and airports that prioritise reliability. With punctuality as a key performance metric, carriers like Aeromexico and Delta Air Lines have set the standard for operational excellence in 2024.

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