Rating of the five best airlines in the world by operational performance

By TravelWiseJan 11, 2024 09:17 AMNews
Share:
Rating of the five best airlines in the world by operational performance
In 2023, Avianca's on-time arrival rate was 85.73%. Source: pexels

Aviation data provider Cirium has published its annual list of the world's most efficient airlines. The winners were divided by size and region.

In 2023, the Colombian airline Avianca Airlines was recognized as the world's most punctual airline with 85.73% of on-time arrivals. The victory came after the airline filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020, forcing it to completely change its brand and business model. This was reported by news.yahoo.com.

"The goal of the program is to provide the airline industry and all its stakeholders with a neutral, third-party perspective on the operational performance of individual airlines," said Cirium CEO Jeremy Bowen.

Cirium defines "on time" as arriving within 14 minutes and 59 seconds of the airline's scheduled arrival time. Carriers must also meet certain capacity and network requirements to be considered a "global" airline.

For example, Panamanian flag carrier Copa Airlines has a better on-time performance than Avianca, with 89.46%, making it the most punctual airline in Latin America. However, it does not meet the regional requirements of daily flights to at least three regions to be considered a global airline.

In addition to being recognized as the world's most punctual global airline, Cirium also receives the company's "Platinum Award," which Bowen called the best global airline for "operational excellence."

Rating of the five best airlines in the world by operational performance
Delta Air Lines ranked fourth with the best on-time performance among global carriers. Source: Pexels

This year's winner for the third time in a row was Delta Air Lines. The company was also named the fourth most on-time airline among global carriers and the most on-time airline in North America.

According to Bowen, Cirium was selected not only on punctuality but also on "the complexity of its operations and its ability to provide more value to passengers and airports."

Other Cirium winners in 2023 were Spanish low-cost carrier Iberia Express in Europe, Japan's All Nippon Airways in Asia Pacific, and Oman Air in the Middle East and Africa. South African airline Safair became the fastest growing low-cost carrier.

Oman and Safair were the only airlines in the report to achieve an on-time arrival rate of over 90%.

Cirium's senior director of advanced initiatives, David White, said the higher rate is easier to achieve mainly because both airlines are "operating well within their capabilities," explaining that demand does not exceed available seats in both regions.

5. Iberia.

On-time arrival rate in 2023: 84,38%

On-time arrival rate in 2022: 85,87%

Rating in 2022: not qualified as a global airline

4. Delta Air Lines

On-time arrival rate in 2023: 84,72%

On-time arrival rate in 2022: 83,63%

Rating in 2022: 5

3. Qatar Airways

On-time arrival rate in 2023: 85,11%

On-time arrival rate in 2022: 78,32%

Rating in 2022: 9

2. Azul Airlines

On-time arrival rate in 2023: 85,51%

On-time arrival rate in 2022: 88,93%

Rating in 2022: 1

1. Avianca Airlines

On-time arrival rate in 2023: 85,73%

On-time arrival rate in 2022: 83,48%

Rating in 2022: 6

Top Articles
Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM

Internet on a Cruise: How to Avoid Huge Bills for Connectivity

Aug 6, 2025 09:14 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM
More News
Riverside footpath running beside a calm tree-lined section of the river on a bright day

First National River Walk Brings Clearer Access to Nature Near Manchester

Dec 28, 2025 00:39 AM
Wing of a SWISS aircraft flying above cloud cover

Winter Storm Brings Ground Delays After Two Aircraft Get Stuck in Snow at Kittilä Airport

Dec 27, 2025 23:55 PM

American Airlines Rethinks Dallas–Fort Worth Hub with Major Schedule Overhaul

Dec 27, 2025 22:42 PM

Visitor Costs Rise Again as Hawaii Approves Green Fee Rollout

Dec 27, 2025 22:38 PM
Hotel room with large windows overlooking Manila at sunset

AC Hotels Makes Manila Debut, Adding Choice for City Stays

Dec 26, 2025 23:25 PM
Japan Airlines aircraft operating an international flight

JAL to Offer Limited-Edition Japanese Whisky on International Flights in 2026

Dec 26, 2025 22:32 PM
Wind-bent tree branches during strong gusts

Western Estonia Braces for Windy Conditions That May Slow Island Travel

Dec 26, 2025 21:49 PM
Edinburgh cityscape near the Royal Mile

Long-Haul Incentives and Airline Loyalty Offers Post-Christmas Flight Sales Take Off in Edinburgh

Dec 26, 2025 20:26 PM
China Eastern aircraft operating international service

China Eastern International Flights at Guangzhou to Move to Terminal 3

Dec 26, 2025 00:33 AM

Ryanair’s Booking Model Under Pressure in Italy as Appeal Looms

Dec 25, 2025 23:54 PM

Jet2 Expands Christmas Flights to Gdańsk for Winter 2026

Dec 25, 2025 23:47 PM
Red South Western Railway train passing through a station platform

Festive Rail Changes at Waterloo Will Affect Visitor Journeys Across London

Dec 25, 2025 23:31 PM
Four people hold a Chelsea football shirt with “Pegasus 25” on the pitch of an empty stadium

Chelsea FC partnership marks new chapter with possible travel implications

Dec 25, 2025 01:29 AM
Multiple red and gold fireworks bursting in the night sky

What Travellers Should Expect From Amsterdam’s Organised New Year Festivities

Dec 25, 2025 00:36 AM
Air India aircraft operating long-haul routes

Air India Brings Back Delhi–Rome Non-Stop Flights in Spring 2026

Dec 24, 2025 23:52 PM

Travellers Warned of Altered Rail Links Over Christmas Period

Dec 24, 2025 23:28 PM

Strong holiday winds could disrupt Christmas journeys

Dec 24, 2025 22:35 PM
IHG and local partners signing hotel agreement in Dhangadhi

An International Hotel Brand Is Coming to Dhangadhi in 2028

Dec 24, 2025 06:54 AM
New Year light installation near Amsterdam city centre

Amsterdam Marks New Year With Extra Controls in Busy Districts

Dec 24, 2025 05:37 AM
ScotRail train at a station platform in Scotland

Festive Rail Travel In Scotland Shifts Focus to Boxing Day

Dec 24, 2025 04:22 AM
Hot air balloon over safari landscape in Kenya

Direct Charter Flights Link Gdańsk with Kenya and Sri Lanka

Dec 24, 2025 03:45 AM
Sale sign symbolising discounted air fares

easyJet Rolls Out Major January Sale Covering 2026 Travel

Dec 24, 2025 03:38 AM

Aalborg Launches Direct Winter Charter to Hurghada

Dec 24, 2025 03:23 AM

Severe Weather Warnings Put Evening Travel Across Southern France at Risk

Dec 23, 2025 21:46 PM
Hotel room keys handed to guest at check-in

French Hotel Guests Embrace AI, but Not at the Expense of Human Service

Dec 23, 2025 06:39 AM
TAP Air Portugal Airbus A320neo in flight

TAP to Restore Lisbon–Tel Aviv Flights After Long Suspension

Dec 23, 2025 05:26 AM