Which airlines and airports had the most on-time flights in 2025? The year is barely behind us, but the results are now available.
New data released Friday by aviation analytics firm Cirium offers a report card of sorts for airlines and hubs (large and small) where passengers were least likely to have major travel problems.
This is important information to consider when you start booking flights in 2026.
For the second consecutive year, the most punctual global airline in the world, according to Cirium data, was Aeroméxico.
The Mexico City-based airline saw more than 90% of its flights arrive at the gate without delay.
Read more: Spirit Airlines begins the turbulent year and 8 other air travel stories we will be watching in 2026
That was an improvement over Aeroméxico’s 87% on-time performance rate in 2024, which also surpassed all major global airlines.
Delta Air Lines once again led all U.S. airlines in on-time performance. One of the most popular airports in the United States for tourists, ranked among the best centers in the world for its punctuality. And a certain low-cost airline known for its big yellow planes made the list of the best-performing airlines in North America.
Below is a quick summary of the 2025 on-time results.
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The most punctual global airlines in 2025
To calculate the world’s top performing airlines, Cirium followed a widely recognized industry standard: the percentage of flights that arrived at their destination within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time.
This is how the three main world operators compare:
| Airline | Punctuality percentage |
|---|---|
|
90.02% |
|
|
86.53% |
|
|
3. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
|
86.09% |
Source: Cirio
We should note that Panama City-based Copa Airlines actually scored a better on-time performance than Aeroméxico, with 90.75% of its flights arriving at the gate on time in 2025. It’s no coincidence that its “Hub of the Americas” scored a similarly impressive result.
However, Copa doesn’t fly to enough regions of the world to qualify for Cirium’s first overall rankings, although it certainly took home the crown in Latin America. More on that in a moment.
One pattern you’ll notice in the global on-time rankings: The top three finishers (Aeroméxico, Saudia and SAS) are members of SkyTeam, the global alliance that includes Delta Air Lines in the US. SAS joined SkyTeam in 2024.
Most on-time airlines in North America
Delta had the best performance among U.S. airlines for on-time performance in 2025, something that has become routine for the Atlanta-based airline in recent years.
Delta had just over 80.9% of its flights arrive at the gate within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival.
That was actually slightly below its 2024 results. However, it’s worth noting that airlines overall faced mandatory cancellations and massive delays that were out of their control, due to the longest government shutdown in history last fall.
Here are the top three North American results:
| Airline | Punctuality percentage |
|---|---|
|
81.14% |
|
|
79.2% |
|
|
78.8% |
Source: cirio
Delta’s leadership among U.S. airlines in operational performance is due to its victory last summer in TPG Best Airlines Report. According to the report, the airline specifically leads all competitors in our reliability category.
And yes, Spirit Airlines ranked third in North American results, even though the ultra-low-cost carrier historically hasn’t received much praise for its operational excellence.
While Cirium leaders acknowledged improvements at the Florida-based low-cost airline, they also noted that Spirit’s major flight cuts simplified its schedule in 2025. Spirit cut routes from its network (and laid off staff) amid a precarious financial situation that currently has the airline involved in Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Read more: Best time to book flights with the cheapest airfare
Most airlines on time in other regions of the world
For globe-trotting travelers curious to know how airlines performed in other parts of the world, here are specific results from other regions:
- In Europe, the Spanish airline’s regional subsidiary, Iberia Express, led the way, followed by SAS and Austrian Airlines. (Iberia Express is in a situation similar to that of the Copa, where it does not qualify for the first general classifications).
- As noted, Copa led all airlines in Latin America with an on-time performance rate of almost 91% of flights, better than any other airline in the world. Aeroméxico and Brazilian low-cost carrier Gol Airlines followed in second and third place, respectively.
- Philippine Airlines led Cirium’s results in the Asia/Pacific region and Royal Jordanian led Middle East airline results.
Cirium also praised the three airlines that improved their punctuality the most in 2025: Virgin Atlantic, Philippine Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
The best airports in the world for on-time flights
Cirium also compiled rankings of the world’s best airports for on-time flights.
Among large hubs, a new airport in South America will take first place globally in 2025.
- Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago, Chile
- King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX)
Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) finished in fourth place.
Copa’s base of operations, Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City, led all mid-sized hubs, according to Cirium.
José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) in Guayaquil, Ecuador, led all small airports in punctuality.
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