Top Airlines for On-Time Performance in 2024, According to Cirium

Aviation analytics firm Cirium has released its annual rankings of the most on-time airlines around the globe for 2024. The data—culled from hundreds of real-time feeds provided by airlines, distribution systems, and aviation authorities—offers a comprehensive look at which carriers excelled at arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled times. While some smaller airlines achieved exceptionally high punctuality rates, they did not meet Cirium’s criteria for the “global airline” category, which requires a carrier to serve at least three continents and meet certain minimum seat-mile thresholds.

A Surprising Global Champion
When it comes to strictly measured punctuality, South Africa–based Safair took top honors worldwide with a remarkable 93.82% on-time rate. Operating primarily from Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, the small regional airline runs a passenger fleet of Boeing 737s and an extensive L-100 Hercules cargo operation. While this impressive performance places Safair at the pinnacle, the airline’s route network did not qualify it for Cirium’s official “global” category.

Instead, the top spot in the Global Airline division went to Aeromexico, with an on-time arrival rate of 86.7%. This marks a major leap from its 77% punctuality in 2023 and signals a significant operational improvement for the Mexican flag carrier. Saudia claimed second place at 86.35%, and three-time champion Delta Air Lines followed close behind with 83.46%.

North American Leaders
In North America, Delta Air Lines stood out yet again, topping the list with an 83.46% on-time rate—even after battling a major IT outage (the CrowdStrike incident) mid-year. Second place went to United Airlines at 80.93%, while Alaska Airlines secured third at 79.25%. All three carriers operate large networks and continue to face challenges such as weather disruptions and congested airspace, making their solid performances notable.

Delta Air Lines – 83.46%
United Airlines – 80.93%
Alaska Airlines – 79.25%

European Highlights
In Europe, two carriers under the IAG umbrella claimed the top positions. Iberia Express ranked first at 84.69%, followed by parent airline Iberia with 81.58%. Both were lauded for maintaining punctuality despite severe flooding in parts of Spain. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) made a surprise entry into third place, reflecting robust improvements as it restructures and integrates into the SkyTeam alliance.

Iberia Express – 84.69%
Iberia – 81.58%
Scandinavian Airlines SAS – 81.40%

Latin America’s Finest
For the 10th straight year, Copa Airlines in Panama claimed the regional crown with 88.22% on-time arrivals—just shy of Safair’s global-best rate. Aeromexico, the global winner, took second regionally at 86.70%. In third was Caribbean Airlines with 85.47%, showcasing the region’s strong focus on punctuality and well-coordinated flights.

Copa Airlines – 88.22%
Aeromexico – 86.70%
Caribbean Airlines – 85.47%

Middle East & Africa: Consistent Excellence
Though Safair topped the entire field, it officially falls under Cirium’s Middle East & Africa category, where it was joined by Oman Air (90.27%) and Royal Air Jordanian (87.02%). Both Oman Air and Royal Jordanian demonstrated on-time performance rates surpassing Aeromexico’s global-winning figure, but, like Safair, they didn’t meet all the global category requirements. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s heavy investments in aviation were evidenced by Saudia ranking fourth in the region (86.35%) and second globally.

Safair – 93.82%
Oman Air – 90.27%
Royal Air Jordanian – 87.02%

Asia Pacific Standouts
Japan’s two leading carriers once again battled for on-time dominance, with Japan Airlines (JAL) edging out All Nippon Airways (ANA) by a narrow margin—80.90% vs. 80.62%. Both airlines saw a small drop from higher 2023 punctuality rates as they ramped up flights in the post-pandemic era. Singapore Airlines took third in the region at 78.67%, maintaining a commendable operational record on some of the longest routes in the world.

Japan Airlines JAL – 80.90%
All Nippon ANA – 80.62%
Singapore Airlines – 78.67%

Industry experts forecast that air travel demand will remain strong into 2025, with IATA projecting roughly 40 million aircraft departures worldwide—up 4.6% from 2024. As carriers compete to meet surging demand and expand internationally, operational efficiency and on-time performance are becoming crucial differentiators. This year’s results show that even amid IT outages, weather disruptions, and capacity constraints, airlines can achieve strong punctuality by optimizing schedules, investing in technology, and continually refining their ground operations.

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