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
Airport check-in counters with queue barriers

Tallinn Airport Warns of Check-In Delays as 800 Bikes Depart

Aug 23, 2026 23:54 PM
Black British passport on white background

Passport Checks Brits Should Make Before Flying

Aug 23, 2026 23:41 PM

Sleep Inside a Boeing 747 at New Malaysia Hotel

Aug 23, 2026 22:58 PM

Vueling Pulls All Cardiff Flights This Winter

Aug 22, 2026 23:55 PM
The Whale museum on Norway’s Arctic coast

Norway’s New Whale Museum to Open Above the Arctic Circle

Aug 22, 2026 23:42 PM
Protester speaking through a megaphone

Norwich Airport to Shut for 24 Hours in Air Traffic Control Strike

Aug 22, 2026 01:09 AM
Travel backpack with water bottle beside it

Two Cabin-Bag Packing Mistakes That Can Trigger Airport Checks

Aug 21, 2026 23:56 PM
Passengers boarding a Ryanair aircraft

Ryanair Answers easyJet’s Leeds Exit With £29.99 Malaga Fares

Aug 20, 2026 23:23 PM
easyJet aircraft close-up

easyJet Is Leaving Leeds Bradford for Good

Aug 20, 2026 22:18 PM

Granada Quakes Force Fresh Alhambra Restrictions

Aug 20, 2026 22:04 PM

Australia Hits Pause on Work and Holiday Visas for 24 Countries

Aug 20, 2026 21:51 PM
Crowded Italian beach with parasols and swimmers

This Beach Habit Near Naples Could Cost You €500

Aug 20, 2026 21:48 PM
Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit lobby interior

A Major New Luxury Stay Lands in Bangkok

Aug 20, 2026 21:35 PM
Naples waterfront and Mount Vesuvius

Naples Gets Two Friday Options from East Midlands

Aug 20, 2026 21:22 PM
easyJet aircraft parked at airport terminal

easyJet France Strike Threat Runs Into September

Aug 20, 2026 21:19 PM

Santiago Adds Eight Budget Routes Ahead of 2027 Holy Year

Aug 20, 2026 21:06 PM

A New 182-Room Retreat Opens in Ibiza’s North

Aug 19, 2026 19:53 PM
Hiker overlooking Madeira’s mountain landscape

Madeira Hiking Takes Centre Stage in Finnair Update

Aug 19, 2026 19:47 PM
Lightning storm over a mountain landscape

Mount Etna Hike Turns Fatal After Lightning Strike

Aug 19, 2026 19:34 PM
Close-up of a fingerprint impression

Older Brits Face New EES Fingerprint Delays

Aug 19, 2026 19:21 PM
Copenhagen Airport Terminal 3 exterior

Revolut Plans Giant Copenhagen Airport Lounge

Aug 19, 2026 19:18 PM
SkyUp Airlines Boeing 737 on the runway

SkyUp Opens Vienna–Chișinău Route for 2027

Aug 19, 2026 19:05 PM

Brussels Gets Three New Arctic Winter Routes

Aug 19, 2026 18:32 PM

Wildfire Closes Part of Eastern Belgium to Visitors

Aug 19, 2026 18:29 PM
SUNDAIR Airbus A320 in flight

Berlin–Damascus Flights Return After 15 Years

Aug 19, 2026 18:16 PM
Eurostar trains at St Pancras International

Virgin Trains Moves Closer to Europe Launch

Aug 18, 2026 22:23 PM