Aeromexico, Saudia and Delta Air Lines are among the world’s most on-time airlines in 2024, according to a new report released by aviation analytics firm Cirium on Thursday.
According to Cirium’s global ranking, Mexico’s national airline, Aeromexico, stands out as the most punctual in 2024, with a rate of 86.70%.
Saudia ranks second, with an on-time rate of 86.35%, followed by Delta Air Lines, which reached 83.46%.
An on-time flight according to Cirium is defined as “a flight that arrives within 14 minutes 59 seconds after the scheduled arrival time at the boarding gate.”
The five most punctual airlines:
- Aeromexico: 86,70%
- Saudi: 86,35%
- Delta Air Lines: 83,46%
- LATAM Airlines: 82,89%
- Qatar Airways: 82,83%
Regional prices
Cirium’s analysis also singled out several regional airlines for “operational excellence.”
In North America, Delta Air Lines continues to dominate, consolidating its leadership position.
Copa Airlines, one of the leading carriers in Latin America, achieved a historic victory by landing its 10e title in this region.
On the European side, Iberia Express, a member of the International Airlines Group, stands out not only as the most punctual on the continent, but also as the most punctual in the low-cost airline sector.
In Asia-Pacific, Japan Airlines took the lead, closely followed by All Nippon Airways. Finally, FlySafair, operating mainly in Africa and the Middle East, was awarded the title of most punctual airline in this region.
Ranking in North America:
- Delta Air Lines: 83,46%
- United Airlines: 80,93%
- Alaska Airlines: 79,25%
- American Airlines: 77,78%
- Southwest Airlines: 77,77%
The most efficient airports
In the airport category, King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was crowned the world’s most punctual airport in 2024, with an on-time departure rate of 86.65%.
It also dominated the “large airport” category.
Other airports also received awards, such as Tocumen International Airport in Panama, voted the most punctual for a “medium airport,” as well as José Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil, Ecuador, which won the title of most punctual “small airport”.
Airport classification:
1. Riyadh King Khaled International Airport: 86.65%
2. Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport: 84.57%
3. Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport: 84.04%
4. Salt Lake City International Airport: 83.80%
5. Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport: 82.84%
Delta Air Lines wins award
For the fourth consecutive year, Delta Air Lines has received Cirium’s prestigious Platinum Award for Global Operational Excellence.
This award highlights the airline’s ability to maintain exceptional punctuality performance despite the “complexity of its network, the volume of flights and the ability to limit the impact of flight disruptions on passengers.”
In 2024, Delta recorded an on-time rate of 83.46% on a total of more than 1.7 million flights.
