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On-time performance · BTS data

Best and Worst Airlines for On-Time Performance

What federal BTS data says about which airlines actually get you there on time, and why the same carrier can be excellent on one route and poor on another.

By ·BTS source →

Data updated 2026-06-13

ExpressJet Airlines
Most on-time carrier
89.8%
Best on-time rate
73.7%
Lowest on-time rate
16.1 pts
Best-to-worst spread

The bottom line

According to U.S. DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, ExpressJet Airlines leads U.S. carriers at 89.8% on-time, while Frontier Airlines trails at 73.7% - a 16.1-point spread. But airline-level averages mask route-level variation, so always check the specific route you're flying.

On-time range (major carriers)
74% to 90%
Carriers ranked
18
Source
US DOT / BTS

Airline on-time performance, ranked

Every major U.S. carrier (10,000+ flights) ranked by on-time arrival rate, from the most punctual to the least, based on BTS data:

Top 10 airlines by on-time rate

Leading the pack: ExpressJet Airlines at 89.8%.

On-time rate by airline

%
# Airline On-TimeFlights
1 ExpressJet Airlines 89.8% 52,135
2 Endeavor Air 88.0% 1,111,655
3 Horizon Air 85.7% 200,419
4 Republic Airways 84.9% 1,812,114
5 Delta Air Lines 84.6% 5,242,763
6 SkyWest Airlines 83.6% 4,343,656
7 Hawaiian Airlines 83.1% 414,402
8 Mesa Airlines 83.1% 410,786
9 Envoy Air 82.5% 1,521,802
10 United Airlines 81.3% 3,669,461
11 PSA Airlines 81.3% 1,300,525
12 Alaska Airlines 80.8% 1,292,316
13 Southwest Airlines 80.4% 7,582,834
14 American Airlines 78.6% 5,078,840
15 Spirit Airlines 77.6% 1,278,352
16 Allegiant Air 75.3% 694,895
17 JetBlue Airways 73.8% 1,366,470
18 Frontier Airlines 73.7% 968,030

See the full airline rankings for all carriers.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, an agency of the Transportation Department, this ranking draws on on-time performance records from January 2020 through December 2025. See our methodology for how these figures are compiled.

What Drives the Differences

Several factors explain why some airlines consistently outperform others:

  • Network structure: Hub-and-spoke airlines (United, American) are more vulnerable to cascading delays because a single hub disruption affects dozens of connecting flights. Point-to-point carriers have more isolation.
  • Hub locations: Airlines whose hubs are in weather-prone areas (Chicago O'Hare, Newark, Dallas) face more weather-related disruptions than those based in mild-weather cities.
  • Fleet age and diversity: Older, more diverse fleets create more maintenance-related delays. Airlines with standardized, newer fleets have fewer mechanical issues.
  • Schedule padding: Airlines that add more buffer time to schedules show better on-time statistics without actually improving efficiency.
  • Operational culture: Some airlines invest more in operational reliability (maintenance, crew scheduling, turnaround processes) than others.

Beyond the Averages

Airline-level averages are a starting point, not the full story. For any specific trip:

  1. Check the route page for your origin-destination pair, route-specific performance differs significantly from airline averages.
  2. Compare across airlines for your specific route, one carrier may dominate on-time performance on that route.
  3. Check both delay rates AND cancellation rates, a low delay rate with high cancellations is worse than a moderate delay rate with rare cancellations.
  4. Consider seasonal patterns, an airline that's reliable in spring may struggle at its snow-belt hub in winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airline has the best on-time record?

Based on the latest BTS on-time arrival data, ExpressJet Airlines currently has the highest on-time rate among major U.S. airlines at 89.8%, followed by others like ExpressJet Airlines, Endeavor Air, Horizon Air. Regional airlines sometimes show higher on-time rates because they operate shorter, less complex routes. PlainFlights ranks every carrier directly from BTS data.

Why do budget airlines sometimes have better on-time records?

Some budget carriers (like Southwest) operate point-to-point networks rather than hub-and-spoke systems. This means a delay at one airport doesn't cascade through a hub to affect dozens of connections. Simpler route networks are inherently easier to keep on schedule.

Does on-time performance vary by route for the same airline?

Significantly. An airline may have 90% on-time performance on one route and 70% on another, depending on the airports involved, time of day, weather exposure, and congestion. Always check route-specific data on PlainFlights rather than relying on airline-level averages.

Are cancellation rates as important as delay rates?

Yes. An airline with a low delay rate but a high cancellation rate is effectively shifting its worst-performing flights from "delayed" to "cancelled" - which doesn't appear in on-time statistics. PlainFlights shows both metrics for a complete picture.

Do airlines pad their schedules?

Yes. Airlines routinely add buffer time to scheduled flight durations to improve on-time statistics. A flight that takes 2.5 hours of actual flying time might be scheduled for 3 hours. This practice has increased significantly since the BTS began tracking on-time performance. It improves reported metrics without actually improving operational efficiency.

How much does the airport matter vs. the airline?

Both matter, but the airport often matters more. An otherwise reliable airline will perform poorly at congested airports prone to weather delays. Check the specific airport's delay profile alongside the airline's overall record. The combination of airline + origin airport + destination airport determines your actual delay risk.

Sources

  • Bureau of Transportation Statistics, On-Time Performance Data (2020-2025)

This content is for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Check current airline status before traveling.

Every figure on PlainFlights is rendered directly from BTS On-Time Performance data, no number is typed in by an editor. This guide compares airline on-time rates from the same live dataset used across the site. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.