These Were the Most Punctual Airlines and Airports in 2022

Picture this: You are waiting for your flight when an announcement informs you that it has been delayed or cancelled. While flight delays are more common than outright cancellations, it does leave a sour taste in your mouth. Well, with aviation analytics firm Cirium recently releasing their annual ranking of the most punctual airlines in 2022, you can soon rest easy.

The on-time performance report by Cirium uses metrics such as scheduled flight times and actual arrival times to measure aircraft punctuality.   

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And the most punctual airlines in 2022 were…

While one might expect world-class airlines like Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, the title actually goes to Azul Brazilian Airlines. This South American carrier operated close to 280,000 flights in 2022, and boasts a punctuality rate of 88.93%. Overall, it holds the highest on-time performance of all global airlines that have operated over 100,000 flights. 

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Despite Asia being slower to open up travel in the post-COVID world, two Japanese airlines round off the top three. All Nippon Airlines (88.61%) and Japan Airlines (88%) both flew over 160,000 flights and ensured punctuality.

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Unsurprisingly, large global airlines occupy a majority of the top ten. Notably, Delta Air Lines (83.63%) and American Airlines (78.29%) both operated over one million flights and managed to provide good on-time performances.

Below are the 10 best airlines in 2022 based on punctuality:

1. Azul Brazilian Airlines (88.93% punctuality; 279,722 flights)
2. All Nippon Airlines (88.61% punctuality; 162,370 flights)
3. Japan Airlines (88.00% punctuality; 165,981 flights)
4. LATAM Airlines (86.31% punctuality; 451,651 flights)
5. Delta Air Lines (83.63% punctuality; 1,004,684 flights)
6. Avianca S.A. (83.48% punctuality; 144,525 flights)
7. Emirates (81.30% punctuality; 137,589 flights)
8. United Airlines (80.46% punctuality; 789,200 flights)
9. Qatar Airways (78.32% punctuality; 152,377 flights)
10.  American Airlines (78.29% punctuality; 1,076,100 flights)

Which were the top airports in 2022?

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Apart from measuring the on-time performance of airlines, Cirium also took a look at the best airports in the world. This time around, airports in the United States dominated by making up over half of the top ten.

Below are the 10 best airports in 2022, also based on punctuality:

1. Haneda Airport, Tokyo (90.33% punctuality; 373,264 flights)
2. Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore, India (84.08% punctuality; 201,897 flights)
3. Salt Lake City International Airport, Utah (83.87% punctuality; 226,545 flights)
4. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Michigan (82.62% punctuality; 271,963 flights)
5. Philadelphia International Airport, Pennsylvania (82.54% punctuality; 233,777 flights)
6. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Minnesota (81.95% punctuality; 276,346 flights)
7. Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (81.84% punctuality; 411,205 flights)
8. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Washington (81.04% punctuality; 383,250 flights)
9. El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá (80.72% punctuality; 273,721 flights).
10. Charlotte Douglas International Airport, North Carolina (80.68% punctuality; 457,871 flights)

Also read: Where to Travel in 2023, According to Your Zodiac Sign

Flights begin your journeys to explore new destinations so don’t sell yourself short. Choosing the most punctual airlines will ensure that your dream holiday takes off without a hitch!