The World’s Most Punctual Airlines in 2024

Cirium’s data is broken down by region and the size of the airport or airline (based on the number of passengers served in a typical year).

All three of this year’s most punctual airlines are members of the SkyTeam alliance: Aeromexico, Saudia and Delta Air Lines. Aeromexico and Delta are both founding members of the alliance, having been part of the alliance since SkyTeam’s inception in 2000.

The nose of an Aeromexico plane is decorated with Mexican folklore motifs. PHOTO: SIMPLE FLYING

Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, is a newer member of the group. However, the airline has big ambitions for growth over the next decade. By 2024, Saudia has placed orders for 105 Airbus aircraft, nearly doubling its capacity.

Japan’s two largest airlines took the top two spots for punctuality in the Asia-Pacific region : Japan Air Lines (JAL) came in first and All Nippon Airways (ANA) came in second. The two were separated by just four-tenths of a percentage point.

Singapore Airlines is third in the region. It has won the World’s Best Airline award from Skytrax five times – considered the “Oscars of the aviation industry”. Air New Zealand is fourth and Thai AirAsia is fifth.

Safair, a South African-based low-cost airline, has been named the most punctual airline in the MENA (Middle East and Africa) region, followed by Oman Air and Royal Jordanian.

In Europe, Madrid-based Iberia came in second place, while its low-cost subsidiary Iberia Express came in first.

And for North America, Delta takes the top spot, followed by United and Alaska, both US.

In addition to ranking individual airlines, Cirium also analyzes data on punctual airports around the world.

Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Doha took home the top honors in the large airport category as well as the overall title. Second and third place in the overall category went to Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Peru and Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) in Mexico.

While Cirium’s statistics are impressive, many of the causes of delays aren’t the fault of individual airlines or airports. Weather can play a huge role, and higher temperatures due to climate change are likely to make things more difficult in the coming years, according to CNN.

The world’s most punctual airlines:

1. Aeromexico

2. Saudia

3. Delta Air Lines

4. LATAM Airlines

5. Qatar Airways

6. Azul Airlines

7. Avianca

8. Iberia

9. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)

10. United Airlines

The most punctual airports in the world:

Source: Vietnam Insider