If you detest delays when it comes to flying, you’ll wanna listen up. Each month, air travel analytics firms assess which are the most on-time airlines according to their On-Time Performance. OTP is based on an aircraft arriving at the gate within 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time. If you value punctuality, here’s what you need to know about flying in the US.
Running Late
According to data obtained from the Department of Transportation (DOT), only 75.89% of domestic flights operated by US airlines arrived “on time” between January and June this year. Hawaiian and Delta had the best track record with 82.14% and 81.03% of their flights arriving as scheduled; while Allegiant Air and Jet Blue proved the most unreliable, scoring only 61.63% and 62.08%, respectively.
It’s All in the Timing
Flights in the afternoon and evening were the most likely to be delayed across all domestic airlines. Less than 60% of flights scheduled to depart between 19:00 and 22:59 were on time, compared to more than 80% between 06:00 and 09:59.
Airports Aren’t Innocent
Of the 30 largest airports in the United States, Chicago’s Midway International Airport was ranked as the worst for on-time departures. It was followed by Newark Liberty International Airport, and Baltimore Washington International Airport.