Best airlines for on time performance
Is there anything that enrages travellers more than airline delays? No matter how well you plan there’s no way to avoid being stuck in a crowded airport or (worse) on the tarmac in your cramped seat. And that’s before you even start thinking about the inevitable knock on effects to connecting flights, transfers and hotel bookings. If the thought of a delay already has you looking at your watch, try booking with one of these airlines that were the best in the world for on-time performance in the last 12 months.
(Note that on time performance is generally considered to be the arrival of the plane at the gate within no more than 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time.)
1. KLM – 88.66%
According to air travel consulting firm FlightStats, the Dutch national carrier had the best on time performance in the world in 2014. With almost 230,000 flights and more than 36 million seats, that’s a lot of people getting where they need to go on time.
2. Qantas – 87.2%
The Flying Kangaroo has had an impressive year and comes out on top of all the other major Australian airlines. Qantas also had the third lowest rate of flight cancellations at just 1.2%. Australian airlines performed well overall with an average on time performance of 83.27%, one of the highest ratings in the world.
3. Japan Airlines – 87.78%
Closer to home, Japan Airlines is the pick for on time flights in the Asia Pacific region according to FlightStats. The airlines has also just won the award for best economy class airline seat in the prestigious Skytrax Awards, so you’ll be comfortable as well as punctual.
4. Alaska Airlines – 87.8%
North American airlines have a pretty terrible reputation, so if you want to be on time then look for the little known Alaska Airlines. FlightStats found it to be the best in North America and with a result almost 10% above the region’s average. It doesn’t just fly to Alaska with more than 320,000 flights to just about every state in the USA.
5. Virgin Australia – 86.8%
Virgin also kept a close eye on the clock and was just a few percentage points behind its Australian rival Qantas. It’s a huge turnaround from early 2013 when one in three Virgin flights was arriving late due to a problem with the reservations system.