For those who travel frequently and for short durations, a delayed flight can mean a missed meeting — and if that meeting was the primary purpose of the trip, it can also mean a significant amount of time and money wasted.
That’s why, for frequent travelers (and business travelers in particular), the carrier you choose can be just as important as the price you pay for your flight.
Luckily, the U.S. Department of Transportation regularly collects and reports data on the 10 largest U.S. airlines, allowing consumers to keep up with the latest trends in carrier performance.
Here’s what U.S.-based jet setters need to know about which airlines are most likely to have their backs when it comes to short and frequent trips with quick turnaround times.
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Which U.S. airlines’ flights arrive on time the most often?
Based on data collected by the D.O.T. during the first quarter of 2024, these are the three major American airlines whose flights arrive as scheduled most often.
1. Delta: 83.61% on-time arrival
- U.S. states served: 49
- U.S. airports served: 161
The most reliably on-time U.S.-based airline is Delta, whose flights arrived as scheduled 83.61% of the time during the first quarter of 2024. No other airline’s on-time record breached the 80% mark.
Delta is a great choice for folks who travel anywhere in the U.S. (and in parts of Central and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia), as it offers a large array of routes and operates more U.S. flights than any other carrier except for American Airlines.
2. Hawaiian Airlines: 79.68% on-time arrival
- U.S. states served: 10
- U.S. airports served: 21
Hawaiian Airlines is the second-most reliable with an on-time arrival rate of 79.68%. However, Hawaiian operates the fewest total flights of the 10 largest American carriers, and its U.S. routes only serve the Hawaiian Islands and some major American cities, most in the West. This rules it out as a realistic choice for many U.S. travelers, depending on where they tend to go frequently.
3. United Airlines: 79.10% on-time arrival
- U.S. states served: 50
- U.S. airports served: 213
United Airlines comes in third place and less than a percentage point behind the much smaller Hawaiian Airlines. United flies to and from 213 domestic locations, serving airports in all 50 U.S. states as well as 135 additional airports in other countries.
Which U.S. airlines' flights arrive late the most often?
Based on data collected by the D.O.T. during the first quarter of 2024, these are the three major American airlines with the highest proportions of late arrivals.
One thing they all have in common? They’re all budget airlines that charge passengers for carry-on bags.
1. JetBlue Airways: 70.61% on-time arrival
Of the 10 largest U.S. airlines, JetBlue, which mostly serves major cities in the American East and West as well as the Caribbean, was the least punctual, with flights arriving on time only 70.61% of the time.
- U.S. states served: 31
- U.S. airports served: 71
2. Frontier Airlines: 72.03% on-time arrival
Frontier, the Colorado-based budget airline known for having photos of animals on its planes’ tails, was the second-least punctual in Q1 of 2024, with just 72.03% of its flights arriving on schedule.
- U.S. states served: 37
- U.S. airports served: 79
3. Spirit Airlines: 73.13%
Spirit Airlines, an oft-ridiculed budget airline known for on-board brawls and frequent cancellations, performed slightly better than its budget peers, with a 73.13% on-time arrival rate for the first quarter of 2024.
- U.S. states served: 31
- U.S. airports served: 57
On-time arrival rates by airline for Q1 2024
| Rank | Airline (including partners) | On-time percentage | Scheduled flights |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Delta Air Lines |
83.61% |
352,592 |
2 |
Hawaiian Airlines |
79.68% |
19,098 |
3 |
United Airlines |
79.10% |
315,462 |
4 |
Southwest Airlines |
77.67% |
345,868 |
5 |
Allegiant Air |
77.64% |
28,113 |
6 |
American Airlines |
77.26% |
444,020 |
7 |
Alaska Airlines |
74.34% |
89,280 |
8 |
Spirit Airlines |
73.13% |
63,229 |
9 |
Frontier Airlines |
72.03% |
45,860 |
10 |
JetBlue Airways |
70.61% |
60,380 |
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What can travelers do to avoid or mitigate flight delays?
Flights get delayed — and canceled — at rates most travelers would consider too high across all airlines. Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do about that. So, what are the best ways to avoid (or recoup) the wasted time and money that comes with delayed flights?
- Fly Delta: All airlines have delayed flights, but as of 2024, Delta has by far the best track record when it comes to punctuality. If Delta isn’t available, United is the next best bet (or Hawaiian, if you happen to be traveling along one of their routes).
- Skip the checked bag: Sometimes, flights arrive just a few minutes late, which means you can probably still make your meeting if you can hustle out of the airport without waiting for 20 minutes at baggage claim.
- Get travel insurance: If you travel frequently for business, travel insurance may be worth it. Depending on the coverage you select, you may be able to be reimbursed every time one of your flights is delayed or canceled — some plans may even pay for you to book a similar flight while still at the airport. Missing a meeting and wasting time is never ideal, but a financial payout can certainly lighten the blow.
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