Delta Beat Every U.S. Rival on Punctuality; One Airline Struggled

An analysis of the Department of Transportation’s October Air Travel Consumer Report, covering August, ranks Delta first among U.S. airlines for on-time arrivals at 77.0 percent, with a 2.0 percent cancellation rate. The analysis was compiled by Global Work and Travel and reported by TravelPulse.

Allegiant placed second at 73.2 percent with the lowest cancellation rate on the list, 0.4 percent. Alaska followed at 72.3 percent, United at 71.7 percent and American at 70.6 percent, with American’s cancellation rate of 2.7 percent among the higher figures in the group.

The bottom of the table was more painful. Southwest posted 69.1 percent on time, Frontier 64.4 percent with a 3.0 percent cancellation rate, and JetBlue 59.7 percent with a 6.2 percent cancellation rate, the highest of any carrier ranked.

The report also carries a tip for flyers: across the 30 largest U.S. airports, 89.7 percent of departures scheduled between 6:00 and 6:59 a.m. left on time, compared with just 52.8 percent for departures between 8:00 and 8:59 p.m. Early flights remain the most reliable choice, since delays tend to build up through the day.

Sources: TravelPulse