A recent report analyzed on-time arrival rates and delays of 10 major US airlines for the year 2023. The analysis was based on data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, with Frontier Airlines being at the bottom of the list with a 67% on-time record and significant delay and cancellation percentages. JetBlue was ranked just above Frontier, with a 67% on-time rate, and facing challenges with on-time performance in the New York area. Spirit Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines followed with similar on-time percentages and delay and cancellation rates.
American Airlines ranked fifth with a 75.94% on-time rate, while Southwest Airlines came in fourth with a 77.25% on-time record. United Airlines secured the third spot with a 78.07% on-time rate, despite recent mishaps, with Alaska Airlines closely behind in second place with a 79.48% timeliness rate. Delta Air Lines claimed the top spot with an 82.61% on-time performance, along with its regional affiliate, SkyWest Airlines, also ranking high in terms of punctuality.
NerdWallet recommends travelers to book the first flight of the day and choose non-stop flights to minimize delays and cancellations. They also suggest selecting an airline that operates multiple flights on the same route daily to provide flexibility in case of flight cancellations. The report highlights that flights arriving late from other destinations contributed to a significant portion of delays last year. The Department of Transportation also recently announced that airlines must offer full cash refunds to passengers on canceled flights, further enhancing customer rights.
In conclusion, the analysis shed light on the disparity in punctuality among US airlines, with Delta and its affiliate SkyWest leading the pack in on-time performance. While some airlines struggled with delays and cancellations, others maintained a higher level of timeliness. Travelers are advised to consider these factors when booking flights to minimize the risk of disruptions and inconvenience during air travel.
