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

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

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
More News
Bedroom at Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere

Fairmont Brings a Cheshire Estate Back

May 31, 2026 05:09 AM
Passenger seated in Lufthansa Allegris business cabin

Lufthansa Adds More Allegris Routes

May 31, 2026 04:56 AM

Aegean Coast Gets a New Boutique Stay

May 31, 2026 04:43 AM

France Opens e-Gates to UK Travellers

May 31, 2026 04:37 AM
Air Transat aircraft landing against a blue sky

Montreal Gets a Direct Istanbul Flight

May 31, 2026 04:24 AM
Health worker in protective clothing holding up a gloved hand

Ebola Rules Hit Summer Travel Plans

May 31, 2026 04:11 AM
Santorini terrace overlooking the caldera and sea

Leeds Bradford Gets More Greece for 2027

May 31, 2026 04:08 AM
Ryanair aircraft flying against a clear blue sky

Warsaw Gets 12 New Ryanair Routes

May 31, 2026 03:55 AM
easyJet aircraft parked at an airport gate

easyJet Cuts Summer Fares for Payday

May 31, 2026 03:42 AM

Cyprus and Lebanon Get a Ferry Link

May 30, 2026 01:59 AM

Milan Linate Gets a New Hilton Stay

May 30, 2026 01:46 AM
Railway platforms inside a German train station

Berlin Airport Rail Trips Face Summer Changes

May 30, 2026 01:33 AM
Wizz Air aircraft parked on an airport apron

Bratislava Gets Three New Wizz Air Routes

May 30, 2026 01:27 AM
Passengers waiting inside an airport terminal at sunset

Manston Airport Eyes a Return

May 30, 2026 01:14 AM
Passengers inside an airport terminal

Lisbon Airport Adds Police After Queue Chaos

May 30, 2026 01:01 AM

Gdańsk Gets Its Iceland Link

May 29, 2026 03:38 AM

Lufthansa Calms Summer Fuel Fears

May 29, 2026 03:25 AM
Finnair aircraft on an airport runway

Five European Cities Where Travel Costs Less

May 29, 2026 03:12 AM
British Airways Cityflyer staff holding French flags beside an aircraft at London City Airport

London City Adds a French Riviera Shortcut

May 29, 2026 03:09 AM
Monte Clérigo beach with cliffs, village houses and Atlantic waves

Portugal’s Quiet Beach Tops Europe’s 2026 List

May 29, 2026 02:56 AM
Costa cruise ship sailing at sea under a cloudy sky

Cruise Guests Face Fee for Taking Buffet Food to Cabins

May 29, 2026 02:43 AM
Canary Riverside Plaza hotel building lit up at night beside the water

London Gets a New Thames-Side Stay

May 28, 2026 17:37 PM

Greece Becomes Turkey’s Better-Value Break

May 28, 2026 17:24 PM

Dubai’s Giant Airport Switch Gets Real

May 28, 2026 17:11 PM
Large Buddha statue overlooking Sri Lanka’s green coastline

Sri Lanka Makes Tourist ETA Free for 40 Countries

May 27, 2026 00:58 AM
Design rendering of a minimalist hotel bedroom

Braga Gets a New Reason to Stay Longer

May 27, 2026 00:45 AM