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Japan's top carriers were the most on-time airlines in 2021
Ethan Klapper
Contributor
Ethan Klapper is a former senior aviation reporter at TPG who focused on the operational side of the airline industry. He joined TPG from Yahoo News in 2021, where he served as senior audience development editor, overseeing social media and audience development strategy. Prior to joining the Yahoo News team in 2018, Ethan worked at HuffPost.
Dec. 29, 2021
•
3 min read
Japan's top carriers were the most on-time airlines in 2021
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Japanese airlines offered up some impressive on-time performance in 2021.
The country's two network carriers were the most on-time airlines in the world this year, according to aviation data provider Cirium.
All Nippon Airways took top billing, with a 95.04% on-time arrival rate and a completion factor of 99.24%, meaning that just 0.76% of all flights were canceled.
Japan Airlines took the number two spot, with an on-time arrival rate of 94.13% and an identical completion factor of 99.24%.
The top U.S. carrier on this list was Delta Air Lines, in the number five spot, which saw 87.80% of its flights arrive on time, with a 99.82% completion factor.
Here's a look at Cirium's top 10 on-time performance list for global mainline carriers — in other words, airlines with global networks, excluding their regional affiliates:
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| Ranking | Airline | On-Time Arrival Rate | Completion Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | All Nippon Airways | 95.04% | 99.24% |
| 2 | Japan Airlines | 94.13% | 99.24% |
| 3 | Aeroflot | 91.05% | 99.58% |
| 4 | LATAM Airlines | 88.67% | 98.87% |
| 5 | Delta Air Lines | 87.80% | 99.82% |
| 6 | KLM | 86.07% | 99.61% |
| 7 | S7 Airlines | 80.99% | 99.74% |
| 8 | American Airlines | 80.47% | 97.50% |
| 9 | United Airlines | 80.38% | 99.08% |
| 10 | Saudia | 80.24% | 98.80% |
Here's a look at the top five on-time performance list for North American mainline carriers:
| Ranking | Airline | On-Time Arrival Rate | Completion Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delta Air Lines | 87.80% | 99.82% |
| 2 | Alaska Airlines | 81.72% | 99.06% |
| 3 | American Airlines | 80.47% | 97.50% |
| 4 | United Airlines | 80.38% | 99.08% |
| 5 | Spirit Airlines | 76.33% | 96.48% |
In addition, Delta Air Lines won a special "platinum award" for operational excellence.
"It is the world's best performing airline when considering on-time performance, operational complexity and its ability to limit the impact of flight disruption to its passengers," Cirium writes in its on-time performance review.
Related: Airlines cancel nearly 1,000 flights Tuesday as disruptions continue to climb
Cirium started tracking on-time performance again on June 1, when it saw enough of an uptick in flights globally, a spokesperson explained to TPG. The period for the awards spans from June 1 to Dec. 20 — a few days before airlines globally and especially in the U.S. began to see significant operational disruptions due to the COVID-19 Omicron variant, as well as weather.
Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
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Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked 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
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.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.