Data company figures out which airlines are most on time
Share and Follow


Mexican airline Aeromexico had the world’s best record for on-time arrivals in 2024, according to an annual ranking released Thursday. Delta Air Lines scored the highest among U.S. carriers despite a computer outage that caused thousands of flight cancellations in July.

Aviation-data provider Cirium said in a report that nearly 87% of Aeromexico flights arrived within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival, a widely used measure of on-time performance among airlines.

Saudia, the flagship carrier of Saudi Arabia, ranked second worldwide, with an on-time performance rate of just over 86%, according to Cirium.

Cirium has rated airlines for timeliness for 16 years. CEO Jeremy Bowen said 2024 was a difficult year for airlines due to severe weather patterns and the summer technology outage. The winning airlines therefore deserved credit for getting most passengers to their destinations on time, Bowen said.

Atlanta-based Delta achieved an on-time rate of more than 83%, good enough to rank third worldwide. The next-best U.S. carriers were United Airlines, at nearly 81%, and Alaska Airlines, at just over 79%, Cirium said.

Canada’s WestJet, Air Canada and Denver-based budget airline Frontier finished at the bottom of the pack among U.S. and Canadian carriers, with on-time ratings below 72%.

Other regional winners around the globe, according to Cirium, were Japan Airlines, low-cost Spanish carrier Iberia Express, Panama’s Copa Airlines, and South African low-cost carrier FlySafair.

Cirium said the best airport for on-time departures in 2024 was King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Nearly 87% of flights from there took off within 15 minutes of their scheduled time, Cirium said.

Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru, and Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport had the next-best departure records at over 84%. Delta took the top spot among U.S. airlines despite disruptions in July from an outage that followed a faulty upgrade that cybersecurity provider CrowdStrike sent to Microsoft computers around the world.

Delta sued CrowdStrike, claiming the outage cost the airline $500 million. CrowdStrike has defended itself partly by arguing that other airlines recovered much more quickly from the outage.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
FILE - Wind turbines operate at Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

East Coast Wind Projects Halted by Trump Administration

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Monday, the Trump administration announced a halt to…
School bus driver responds to backlash for 'English-only' sign

School Bus Controversy: Driver’s ‘English-Only’ Sign Sparks Heated Debate

A bus driver from Pennsylvania, who lost her job over a controversial…
Jim Beam pausing production at main Kentucky distillery for a year

Jim Beam Halts Kentucky Distillery Operations for One Year: Impact on Bourbon Lovers and Local Economy

Jim Beam has announced a temporary halt in bourbon production at its…
The extravagant Christmas gifts the rich are buying

Inside the Luxurious Christmas Shopping Lists of the Wealthy

While some may find their stockings filled with $1 trinkets this holiday…
A sharps disposal bin to safely discard used syringes and lancets is installed in Austin, Ind., by the Scott County Health Department Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Obed Lamy)

Community Faces Challenges in Sustaining Vital Syringe Program Amid New Regulations

In Jeffersonville, Indiana, a storage room at the Clark County Health Department…
NFL news: After Chicago Bears' stunning win over Green Bay Packers, here's what they need to clinch playoff spot

Bears’ Victory Against Packers Fuels Playoff Aspirations: Discover Their Path to Securing a Spot

CHICAGO (WLS) — Following the Chicago Bears’ remarkable victory against the Green…
‘It: Chapter Two’ and 'The Wire' star James Ransone has died

Beloved Actor James Ransone, Known for ‘It: Chapter Two’ and ‘The Wire,’ Passes Away

James Ransone, known for his memorable roles in horror films and television…
DOJ forced into Epstein files U-turn after Trump photos vanished

DOJ Backtracks on Epstein Files: Missing Trump Photos Spark Controversy

The Department of Justice recently found itself in a tricky situation regarding…