The most on-time airlines (and airports) in the world
What was the most on-time airline — and airport — in the world in 2024?
New numbers released to kick off the new year offer some answers.
Aeromexico proved to be the global winner, according to data released Thursday by aviation analytics firm Cirium.
In 2024, nearly 87% of the Mexico City-based carrier’s flights arrived at their destination on time.
Closely following Aeromexico, two spots back in third place, was Delta Air Lines, the top U.S. carrier for on-time performance last year, Cirium said.
Here’s a quick rundown of the top-performing airlines, as well as large airports that saw the highest on-time rates — featuring one of the most popular U.S. cities for vacationers.
Most on-time airlines in 2024
To calculate the highest-performing airlines in the world, Cirium held to a widely recognized industry standard: the percentage of flights that arrived at their destination within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time.
Here’s how global airlines stacked up:
- Aeromexico (86.7%)
- Saudia (86.3%)
- Delta (83.5%)
It’s worth noting that Panama City-based Copa Airlines actually outperformed Aeromexico, with 88% of its flights arriving on time. However, Copa doesn’t technically meet Cirium’s global network criteria for that ranking — though the Star Alliance airline did take the crown among Latin American carriers.
Most on-time airlines in the US
The top U.S. airlines for on-time performance in 2024 included:
- Delta
- United Airlines (80.9%)
- Alaska Airlines (79.3%)
Delta’s top ranking among U.S. airlines came despite a mid-July meltdown in the wake of a global technology outage at CrowdStrike, which saw the Atlanta-based carrier cancel thousands of flights over a five-day period.
Yet, its full-year performance still ranked ahead of its closest U.S. competitors, Cirium said.
“Their recovery was superb, because the month after that whole issue occurred, they were at 91% [on-time flights] in August,” said Mike Malik, Cirium chief marketing officer.
Delta was the top-performing carrier in TPG's Best U.S. Airlines in 2024 report released last spring. We'll ultimately have to see how Delta stacks up when we crunch the numbers again this year.
Other regions of the world
Iberia Express, a regional subsidiary of Madrid-based Iberia, ranked first among European airlines in 2024 on-time performance, Cirium announced.
The mainline Spanish flag carrier ranked second, followed by Scandinavian Airlines, which in 2024 became the newest member of the SkyTeam alliance following years of financial turmoil.
“SAS is making huge strides and investment into I.T. and technology, and also fleet, as well,” Malik noted.
Japan Airlines was the top performer in the Asia Pacific region, narrowly topping Japanese competitor All Nippon Airways.
Read more: Japan Airlines' A350-1000 inaugural from New York to Tokyo: Same great service, fabulous new seats
South Africa-based Safair led the rankings in the Middle East/Africa region.
Top airports in the world for on-time performance
Cirium also compiled rankings for the world’s best airports for on-time departures.
Among large hubs, here’s how the top three shook out in 2024:
- King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu
- Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) in Lima, Peru
Honolulu's airport is the biggest airport in Hawaii, serving as a vital connection for interisland flights in the state and also as a gateway to Asia. It's also a new global hub for the newly merged airline comprising the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines brands.
Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY) was the best medium-size airport in the world for on-time flights, Cirium said, with Guayaquil, Ecuador’s Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) leading among small airports.
Related reading:
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- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.