On-Time Champions: Meet the Top 10 Airlines Setting the Standard

When it comes to travelling, going by aeroplane remains one of the most popular means of transportation. Airway travelling saw fewer delays and cancellations in 2023, and thousands of airlines worldwide promise to get you to your destination on time. And while you get there earlier than you would by car or train, there is a good chance that the 7-hour plane ride might take around 9 hours or more.

White passenger plane

Sometimes, that’s not an issue, especially if you don’t have anywhere special to be. Other times, it can be disastrous. Depending on the situation, it can cause you to lose flight connections or miss a meeting. You might be able to get flight compensation for it, but the precious time has already been lost. This is why you want to rely on someone that you know tries their best to be on time.

Top Airlines That Score on Punctuality

There’s no such thing as an airline with a 100% on-time arrival. Things happen, and sometimes, they are beyond the airline’s control. However, the closer it is, the more it shows how committed they are to delivering quality services. Below are some of the airlines that have established themselves as reliable and usually on-time:

Aeromexico

Aeromexico has taken over plenty of flights this year, proving to be one of the most reliable airlines that promise timely delivery. With more than 15,000 flights, its punctuality score reached 90.66% in January, and its reliability has significantly increased over the past couple of months.

Austrian

Austrian Airlines has shown strong performance in delivering their passengers on time across numerous European countries. After successfully completing 113,587 flights, the airline achieved an on-time arrival rate of 82.88%.

business woman with hand luggage

Iberia

Carrying the flag of Spain, Iberia transported millions of passengers all over Europe, connecting a total of 39 countries. Recording 170,750 flights in 2023, the airline has an on-time completion rate of 84,38%, making it a top carrier with few causes for flight compensation.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Airlines is one of the biggest international airlines and the oldest in the world. Taking air passengers across 325 destinations all over the planet, the airline has more than 1.5 million flights every year, with an on-time arrival rate of 84.72%.

Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines takes its travellers across 91 destinations, 39 of which are international. Using 143 aircraft, the company operated 308,202 flights in 2023 with an on-time arrival of 82.58%, branding it a reliable airline in 2024 as well.

flying airplane

American Airlines

In 2023, American Airlines carried almost 2 million flights and recorded an average on-time percentage of 80.62%. It operates around 6,800 flights annually and 1,998,844 in total towards various corners of the world, making it one of the most popular travel options.

Saudia

Saudia was previously known as “Saudi Arabian Airlines” until it was rebranded. With a total of 174,256 flights, it’s not as world-spread as other airlines, but it established itself through quality of service. With an on-time arrival percentage of 81.29%, it successfully brought passengers on time in areas such as the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

All Nippon Airways

Japan itself has been deemed one of the most punctual countries when it comes to transportation. It’s no surprise that this quality reached the airline sector as well. With an on-time arrival percentage of 82,75% out of 202,279 flights, it caused very few reasons for passengers to claim international flight delay compensation.

LATAM Airlines

Previously known as LAN Chile, this airline takes passengers across Ecuador, Chile, and Peru. The airline is one of the largest in South America and has more than 500 thousand flights per year, its on-time arrival rate being 84%.

flyng airplane at daytime

Lufthansa

Lufthansa may still be a small carrier with 31,210 flights per year, but it made it on our list of timely airlines. With an on-time delivery rate of 82.48%, the company causes very few issues for passengers.

What About Potential Airfare Compensation?

As mentioned, flight delays cannot always be avoided. The weather could make it too dangerous for the plane to fly, security risks could put the passengers in danger, and air traffic control decisions might prevent the aircraft from following its intended route. In that case, you might not always receive compensation for the delay. But you do have rights.

If the delay was under the airline’s control and they failed to address it, it might bring grounds for compensation. For example, EU air passenger rights allow you to seek compensation if your flight is over 3 hours late. Depending on the circumstances, you could even get payback for any unnecessary expenses you had to cover due to the delay.

The Bottom Line

If time is essential for you, then you should choose an airline with a track record of being able to arrive on time. Remember that even the best airlines can’t reach 100%, but a close percentage is generally reasonable. However, if your flight is late, you can use StopDelay to get your due compensation!