Which airline delivered the world’s best on‑time performance in 2025? Cirium’s latest data reveals a clear global leader in punctuality.
Aeromexico has been crowned the world’s most on‑time global airline for the second consecutive year, according to Cirium’s 2025 On‑Time Performance Review — a data‑driven benchmark widely regarded as the industry’s most authoritative measure of operational reliability.
The Mexican flag carrier delivered a 90.02% on‑time arrival rate across 188,859 flights, becoming only the second airline in the program’s 17‑year history to secure back‑to‑back global wins.
The achievement underscores Aeromexico’s sustained operational discipline at a time when global aviation continues to grapple with capacity constraints, weather‑related disruption, and infrastructure bottlenecks.
Cirium’s review, which analyses data from more than 600 real‑time sources, evaluates airlines and airports on punctuality, operational complexity, and consistency throughout the year.
Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium, said the results highlight the sophistication required to maintain punctuality at scale.
“Maintaining consistent on‑time performance requires sophisticated network planning, operational coordination, and the ability to recover quickly when irregularities occur.”
“These results reflect the operational discipline that defines aviation’s top performers.”
Aeromexico Leads a Competitive Global Field
Aeromexico’s 90.02% on‑time arrival rate placed it ahead of Saudia (86.53%) and SAS (86.09%), with the margin between first and third place reaching nearly four percentage points — a notable gap in a category where top performers often cluster tightly.
| Rank | Airline | On-Time Arrival | Total Flights |
| 1 | Aeromexico | 90.02% | 188,859 |
| 2 | Saudia | 86.53% | 202,864 |
| 3 | SAS | 86.09% | 249,674 |
| 4 | Azul | 85.18% | 304,625 |
| 5 | Qatar Airways | 84.42% | 198,303 |
| 6 | Iberia | 83.52% | 188,447 |
| 7 | LATAM Airlines | 82.40% | 580,707 |
| 8 | Avianca | 81.73% | 266,921 |
| 9 | Turkish Airlines | 81.41% | 421,090 |
| 10 | Delta Air Lines | 80.90% | 1,800,086 |
Aeromexico’s performance is particularly notable given its operational footprint across 23 countries and its position in one of the world’s most congested airspace regions.
The carrier’s ability to maintain reliability across a diverse network reflects a multi‑year investment in fleet modernization, schedule optimization, and operational resilience.
Regional Champions: Delta, Iberia Express, Philippine Airlines, Copa, and Safair Lead Their Markets
Cirium’s regional rankings highlight a mix of legacy carriers and regional specialists, each demonstrating strong operational control within their respective markets.
Delta Air Lines secured its fifth consecutive North American title with an 80.90% on‑time arrival rate across an industry‑leading 1.8 million flights.
The scale of Delta’s operation — more than any other airline in the region — makes its continued punctuality leadership particularly significant.
Iberia Express delivered an 88.94% on‑time rate, winning the European category for the third year in a row.
The low‑cost subsidiary of International Airlines Group continues to outperform larger European network carriers, supported by a tightly controlled short‑haul operation.
Philippine Airlines topped the Asia‑Pacific region for the first time with an 83.12% on‑time arrival rate.
The result marks a milestone for the carrier, which has undergone significant operational restructuring in recent years.
Copa Airlines achieved its 11th regional win — the most of any airline since Cirium began tracking performance in 2009 — with a 90.75% on‑time rate.
The Panama‑based carrier continues to leverage its highly efficient hub at Tocumen International Airport.
South Africa’s Safair topped the region with a 91.06% on‑time rate, the highest of any airline in the global rankings. Its performance reflects the operational advantages of a point‑to‑point network and a disciplined low‑cost model.
Qatar Airways Wins the Airline Platinum Award
While Aeromexico claimed the global punctuality title, Qatar Airways earned Cirium’s prestigious Platinum Award — a recognition that goes beyond punctuality to evaluate operational complexity, network scale, and resilience.
The Doha‑based carrier operated more than 198,303 flights across six continents with an 84.42% on‑time arrival rate.
Bowen said the award reflects the airline’s ability to maintain reliability despite the challenges of a global hub‑and‑spoke model.
“Qatar Airways’ Platinum win is particularly significant because it demonstrates how a network carrier can maintain on‑time performance across six continents while operating one of the industry’s most complex hub structures,”
“Their 84.42% on‑time rate over 198,303 flights sets a new benchmark for network carriers.”
Virgin Atlantic Named ‘Most Improved’ Airline
Virgin Atlantic claimed Cirium’s inaugural “Most Improved” award after boosting its on‑time performance from 74.01% in 2024 to 83.45% in 2025 — a 9.44‑point year‑over‑year increase.
The award recognizes carriers that achieved at least 70% baseline punctuality in the prior year, ensuring the improvement reflects genuine operational progress rather than recovery from poor performance.
Virgin Atlantic’s gains follow a multi‑year operational transformation program, including schedule adjustments, fleet reliability initiatives, and enhanced coordination with airport and ground‑handling partners.
Why Punctuality Matters More Than Ever
The 2025 results come at a time when global aviation is experiencing a resurgence in demand, with airlines and airports operating at or near pre‑pandemic capacity.
Operational reliability has become a key differentiator for carriers seeking to retain premium customers and manage rising costs associated with delays.
Bowen emphasized the importance of sustained performance:
“Copa’s 11th win for the Latin American category and Delta’s fifth consecutive North American win reflect sustained operational focus that separates industry leaders from competitors.”
For airlines, punctuality is not merely a customer‑experience metric — it is a financial imperative.
Delays increase crew costs, fuel burn, and compensation liabilities, while also disrupting aircraft rotations and network integrity.
Overall: Aeromexico Sets the Global Standard In The Airline Industry
Aeromexico’s second consecutive global win cements its position as the world’s most reliable major airline in 2025.
Its performance — alongside standout results from Qatar Airways, Copa Airlines, Delta, and Iberia Express — highlights the operational excellence required to lead in an increasingly complex global aviation landscape.
As airlines continue to rebuild networks, modernize fleets, and navigate infrastructure constraints, punctuality will remain a defining metric of operational success.
Cirium’s 2025 review makes one thing clear: the world’s top performers are not just flying more — they are flying smarter.
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