Saudi Airlines and Qatar Airways among world's top 10 most punctual airlines

If your holiday travel woes included frustrating flight delays, Cirium’s freshly released 2024 on-time performance rankings may help you plan your next trip with confidence.

These rankings analyze over 25 million data points daily from more than 600 sources to determine how well airlines stick to their schedules. Flights are deemed "on time" if they arrive within 14 minutes and 59 seconds of their scheduled time, with only airlines meeting specific operational and regional criteria making the cut.

Aeromexico tops the global list

Leading the pack, Aeromexico emerged as the most punctual airline in 2024, with an impressive 86.7% of flights arriving on time. This marks a significant 9% improvement from the previous year. Cirium lauded this performance as a "remarkable turnaround" during a press conference, crediting the airline’s strategic investment in technology following its emergence from bankruptcy in 2022. The success story continues, as Aeromexico filed for a $500 million U.S. IPO in May 2024, further cementing its recovery.

Saudi Airlines claims second spot

Saudi Airlines, known as "Saudia," secured the second position with 86.35% on-time flights, reflecting its commitment to operational efficiency. The airline’s punctuality highlights its role as a key player in the Middle East’s competitive aviation market.

Delta ranks third despite setbacks

Delta Air Lines clinched the third spot with an 83.46% on-time performance, despite weathering a significant system outage in July that grounded thousands of flights. Cirium’s marketing director, Mike Malik, clarified that rankings account for performance across the entire year, noting that Delta achieved a stellar 91% punctuality in August as it rebounded strongly.

Highlights in Asia and Europe

Asia’s top performers included Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Singapore Airlines, reflecting the region's focus on reliability amid booming travel demand. In Europe, Iberia Express and Iberia took the top spots, with their Madrid-based operations demonstrating efficiency.

Notably, Avianca made a remarkable comeback in 2024, bouncing back from its own bankruptcy challenges. The Colombian airline’s performance underscores the resurgence of legacy carriers globally.

As air travel in Asia is expected to rebound to pre-pandemic levels in 2025, the focus on punctuality will remain critical for airlines competing for market share. Cirium’s data also shows steady progress among U.S. carriers, with United Airlines achieving 80.93% on-time performance and hinting at further improvement in the coming years. Meanwhile, legacy carriers like Delta and Avianca continue to demonstrate resilience and adaptability.

Cirium’s rankings not only serve as a guide for travelers prioritizing reliability but also spotlight the airlines leading the way in operational excellence and customer satisfaction. With these insights, passengers can make more informed decisions for their upcoming journeys.