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
Seagull flying beneath distant passenger aircraft

Bird Strike Turns easyJet Flight Into Coach Journey

Oct 19, 2026 22:35 PM
Car and motorcyclist navigating a flooded street

Balearic Storm Triggers Floods and Flight Delays

Oct 19, 2026 21:22 PM

Jet2 Extends Leeds Bradford–Tunisia Flights Into Late Autumn

Oct 17, 2026 23:57 PM

UK Autumn Trips Get a Dry Weekend Before Rain Returns

Oct 16, 2026 23:24 PM
Cologne Cathedral and Hohenzollern Bridge over Rhine

Klagenfurt–Cologne Flights Set for Another Summer

Oct 16, 2026 20:41 PM
Silver power bank with blue charging cables

Flying With a Power Bank? Know These Rules

Oct 16, 2026 20:39 PM
Metro train crossing Porto’s Dom Luís Bridge

Portugal Breaks Ground on 75-Minute Lisbon–Porto Rail Link

Oct 15, 2026 21:06 PM
Man speaking through a megaphone at a protest

Leeds Bradford Airport Says Flights Will Run Despite Strike Threat

Oct 14, 2026 21:13 PM
Two visitors overlooking a snowy Antarctic bay

Antarctica Cruises Go on Sale, but Not All Get 10% Off

Oct 14, 2026 21:08 PM

Munich Airport Loses Direct Trains Until Friday

Oct 14, 2026 20:55 PM

Ryanair Adds New Direct Route to Crete From Bratislava

Oct 13, 2026 14:02 PM
Sandy beach surrounded by cliffs and turquoise water

Aeroitalia Brings Back Genoa–Sardinia Flights for Christmas

Oct 13, 2026 02:17 AM
Close-up of a Eurostar high-speed train

Eurostar Cuts London–Paris Trains on Four More Weekends

Oct 12, 2026 01:24 AM
Jet2 passenger aircraft taxiing on a runway

Jet2 Opens Summer 2028 Holidays With £60 Deposits

Oct 11, 2026 23:51 PM
Ryanair passenger aircraft on an airport runway

Ryanair to Scrap All Bremen Flights in 2027

Oct 11, 2026 23:49 PM

From Rome to Alba: New Luxury Train Trips Across Italy in 2027

Oct 11, 2026 03:06 AM

Ryanair Adds 29 New Routes for Summer 2027

Oct 11, 2026 02:53 AM
Sightseeing boat passing a bridge in Paris

TUI Cruise Passengers Denied Refunds After Coach Trips

Oct 11, 2026 02:48 AM
EasyJet aircraft on airport tarmac

EasyJet Cuts More Winter Flights as Fuel Costs Soar

Oct 11, 2026 02:35 AM
Railway tracks stretching into the distance

New London Train Routes Blocked Over Delay Fears

Oct 11, 2026 02:22 AM
Outdoor hotel pool with wooden sun loungers

Six Senses Plans Five New Hotels for 2027

Oct 10, 2026 23:57 PM
Ornate bedroom aboard the luxury train

Orient Express Adds Monaco Stop to 2027 Luxury Route

Oct 9, 2026 21:54 PM

KLM to Bring Free Starlink Wi-Fi to Long-Haul Flights

Oct 9, 2026 21:41 PM

Kraków Gets Four More Ryanair Winter Routes

Oct 9, 2026 21:39 PM
Deutsche Bahn ICE train at a station

Deutsche Bahn Keeps €99.99 Family Ticket for Good

Oct 9, 2026 21:26 PM
Red train travelling through an Alpine landscape

London Gets Easier Night Train Links Across Europe

Oct 9, 2026 21:13 PM