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
Ryanair aircraft on runway near airport buildings

Hahn Adds Rabat and Eastern Europe Routes for Summer 2026

Mar 25, 2026 00:23 AM
Ferry sailing along Norwegian fjord mountains

Newcastle–Bergen Ferry Could Return After 18 Years

Mar 25, 2026 00:18 AM

Hydrogen Cruise Ship Set for First Sailings in 2026

Mar 24, 2026 22:56 PM

Bremen Adds Extra Ryanair Flights to Zadar and Málaga

Mar 24, 2026 22:42 PM
Cow grazing on green pasture

Slovakia Bans Certain Food Imports Over Disease Risk

Mar 24, 2026 11:47 AM
Historic building in Bucharest city centre with domed roof

Gatwick Adds Bucharest Route With Six Weekly Flights

Mar 24, 2026 11:34 AM
Tree bent by strong wind in foggy landscape

Wind Alert May Affect Sumburgh Flights

Mar 24, 2026 11:21 AM
Transavia aircraft on runway with airline branding visible

Transavia Moves Flights as Eindhoven Closes for Renovation

Mar 24, 2026 11:19 AM
Main entrance of Birmingham Curzon Street Station with glass façade and public square

Birmingham’s New HS2 Station Set to Open in 2030

Mar 23, 2026 22:55 PM

Greek Islands Return to Paderborn Summer Schedule

Mar 23, 2026 22:43 PM

Spain Court Forces Airbnb to Pay €64M Amid Rental Crackdown

Mar 23, 2026 22:38 PM
ITA Airways aircraft on runway in blue livery

ITA Airways Joins Miles & More Network in April

Mar 22, 2026 14:36 PM
Dutch double-decker train at modern station platform

€19 Rail Fares Launch on Amsterdam–Berlin Route

Mar 22, 2026 14:22 PM
Santorini terrace overlooking caldera and Aegean Sea

Memmingen Expands Summer Map With 56 Destinations

Mar 21, 2026 23:07 PM
Oryx antelope walking across Namib Desert dunes

Zurich Adds Namibia Route for Summer 2026

Mar 21, 2026 22:54 PM

Airlines Signal Summer Fare Increases as Fuel Costs Rise

Mar 21, 2026 02:31 AM

Lufthansa Adds Lapland Routes in Winter 2026

Mar 21, 2026 02:29 AM
Iberia long-haul aircraft on airport apron

Iberia Expands Summer Network with Record Seat Boost

Mar 21, 2026 02:15 AM
Busy airport terminal with passengers moving through departures hall

Spain Easter Travel Hit by Airport Strikes

Mar 20, 2026 22:53 PM
Calm seating pods in airport quiet area

Airport Quiet Zones Open at East Midlands

Mar 20, 2026 22:48 PM
Hand holding a British passport close up

UK Passport Fees Pass £100 Mark

Mar 20, 2026 02:46 AM
Cars passing through airport terminal drop-off area at night

UK Airport Drop-Off Fees Climb as Free Options Fade

Mar 20, 2026 02:37 AM

Antalya Flights Return Daily from Paderborn

Mar 20, 2026 02:22 AM

Turkish Airlines Adds Stansted Link to Istanbul

Mar 20, 2026 02:14 AM
Atlantis hotel and Palm Jumeirah aerial view in Dubai

Flights to Gulf Cities Suspended Until Mid-May

Mar 19, 2026 23:08 PM
British Airways aircraft in flight with landing gear extended

BA Launches Free Starlink Wi-Fi on First Houston Flight

Mar 19, 2026 22:51 PM