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
Hibernia Line ferry sailing at sea

Ireland Gets a UK-Free Route to France

Jun 13, 2026 07:51 AM
Shipwreck Beach in Zante with turquoise water and boats

Zante Flights Face a Turtle Curfew

Jun 13, 2026 07:48 AM

Luton Airport Express Gets Better Trains

Jun 13, 2026 07:35 AM

Souvenir Passport Stamps Can Backfire

Jun 13, 2026 07:22 AM
Passengers boarding a Ryanair aircraft

Ryanair Family Seat Fees Face UK Probe

Jun 13, 2026 07:19 AM
Turquoise cove with swimmers on Mallorca coast

Balearics Could Ban Full-Face Veils

Jun 13, 2026 07:06 AM
GWR train at a railway station in the rain

Gatwick Gets Night Trains for Early Flights

Jun 13, 2026 06:53 AM
Four Seasons luxury yacht sailing along a coastal cliffside

Four Seasons Plans a Second Yacht

Jun 13, 2026 06:47 AM
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia under a blue sky

Berlin Gets Direct Sofia Flights

Jun 13, 2026 06:34 AM

Jet2 Opens Early Winter Sun Sales

Jun 13, 2026 06:21 AM

Nantes Gets a Direct Canada Link

Jun 13, 2026 06:18 AM
Small traveller figures standing on passport pages with visa stamps

Passport Doodle Forces Last-Minute Flight Change

Jun 13, 2026 06:05 AM
Guest room at Nobu Hotel Madrid with large windows and city views

Madrid Gets Its First Nobu Hotel

Jun 12, 2026 22:02 PM
Etihad Airways aircraft flying in a clear sky

Etihad Adds Eight Summer Routes

Jun 12, 2026 21:59 PM
KLM aircraft taking off from a runway at sunset

KLM Adds Flexibility for Long-Haul Trips

Jun 12, 2026 21:46 PM

Stockholm Is Getting an Underground Hotel

Jun 12, 2026 21:33 PM

Passengers Caught in Baggage Mix-Up Scheme at Toronto Pearson

Jun 12, 2026 21:27 PM
Traveller using an EES Entry/Exit System screen at a European border

Europe Border Queues Could Hit Trips

Jun 11, 2026 22:44 PM
Zannier Île de Bendor hotel exterior with pool overlooking the sea

A French Island Retreat Reopens Near Bandol

Jun 11, 2026 22:31 PM
Portable power bank with multiple charging cables on a white background

Power Banks Face Tougher Flight Rules

Jun 11, 2026 22:28 PM
Finnair aircraft taxiing on a runway

Finnair Puts Turku and Tampere Back on the Map

Jun 11, 2026 22:15 PM
Aerial view of a small Sardinian beach with cliffs, turquoise water and boats

Sardinia Beach Trips Now Need a Plan

Jun 11, 2026 22:02 PM

Munich Airport Gets a New Sleepover Option

Jun 11, 2026 21:59 PM

easyJet Picks Cheap Sun Breaks for Rainy Summer

Jun 11, 2026 21:46 PM
Aerial view of Zadar’s coastline with clear Adriatic water and seaside homes

Wizz Air Brings Zadar Closer to Central Europe

Jun 11, 2026 21:33 PM
Helsinki Cathedral and Market Square seen from the harbour

Helsinki Makes Summer Easy to Plan

Jun 11, 2026 21:27 PM