In the competitive world of air travel, punctuality remains a critical metric for both airlines and passengers. According to Cirium’s annual On-Time Performance Review, Aeromexico has emerged as the leader in on-time arrivals for 2024, achieving an impressive rate of 86.7%. This marks a significant achievement for the Mexican airline, which has improved its performance notably over the past year.
Aeromexico’s success is underscored by the fact that nearly 87% of its flights arrived within 15 minutes of their scheduled times, a standard measure used in the industry to evaluate punctuality. This accomplishment is particularly commendable given the challenges faced by airlines in 2024, including severe weather disruptions and technological outages that affected operations across the globe. Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium, emphasized that Aeromexico’s performance is a testament to its operational efficiency and commitment to customer service.
Following Aeromexico in the global rankings is Saudia, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, with an on-time performance rate of 86.35%. This places Saudia firmly in second place worldwide. Delta Air Lines, despite facing significant operational challenges due to a major computer outage in July that led to thousands of flight cancellations, secured third place globally with an on-time arrival rate of 83.46%. Delta’s resilience during a tumultuous year highlights its strong operational protocols and employee training programs.
Other notable performers include LATAM Airlines and Qatar Airways, which ranked fourth and fifth respectively, with on-time rates of 82.89% and 82.83%. This year’s report illustrates a diverse range of airlines excelling in punctuality across different regions.
In North America, Delta led the pack among U.S. carriers, followed by United Airlines, which achieved an on-time rate of nearly 81%, and Alaska Airlines, at just over 79%. However, Canadian airlines struggled to keep pace; WestJet, Air Canada, and budget carrier Frontier Airlines finished at the bottom among North American carriers, with on-time ratings below 72%.
Cirium’s report also highlighted the best airports for on-time departures. The top spot went to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where nearly 87% of flights took off within 15 minutes of their scheduled times. Following closely were Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru, and Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport, both boasting departure records exceeding 84%.
The findings from Cirium reflect not only the performance of individual airlines but also broader trends within the aviation industry. Despite facing unprecedented challenges over the past year, many airlines demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability.
The rankings serve as a benchmark for airlines aiming to enhance their operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. The ability to deliver passengers to their destinations on time is not just a metric of success, it is essential for maintaining loyalty and trust in an industry that thrives on reliability.
Citations:
[1] https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/aeromexico-captures-the-title-of-2024s-on-time-performance-champion/
[2] https://www.travelmarketreport.com/air/articles/here-are-the-most-on-time-airlines-and-airports-of-2024
[3] https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/most-punctual-airlines-airports-2024-delta-b2672978.html
[4] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/03/which-airlines-have-the-fewest-delays-here-are-the-results-for-2024.html
[5] https://www.transat.com/getmedia/454c774c-2260-4b97-8625-39f2f2e7d2de/2021-Annual-notice.pdf.aspx?ext=.pdf
[6] https://simpleflying.com/top-airlines-airports-on-time-performance-2024/
[7] https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-112shrg72410/pdf/CHRG-112shrg72410.pdf
[8] https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/airlines-on-time-arrivals-1.7421849
[9] https://www.customerexperiencedive.com/news/delta-air-lines-delivers-on-time-punctuality/736351/
[10] https://www.yvr.ca/-/media/yvr/documents/2017-annual-report/yvr-2017-annual-and-sustainability-report.pdf
[11] https://calgary.citynews.ca/2025/01/02/airlines-on-time-list/
[12] https://businesstravelerusa.com/news/the-world-most-on-time-airlines-airports/
