by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 12:35 PM ET, Wed October 21, 2026
For many travelers, price is the deciding factor when purchasing an airline ticket. But there’s another important bit of information you may want to keep in mind as well when comparison shopping: on-time performance.
A new industry report reveals a substantial gap in U.S. airline punctuality. And when airlines are viewed through this lens, one carrier stands out well ahead of the pack in on-time performance.
That carrier is Delta, which recorded the highest on-time arrival rate in August at 77%, according to an analysis of the US Department of Transportation’s October Air Travel Consumer Report conducted by Global Work & Travel.
At the other end of the spectrum is JetBlue, which fared dismally in the study. It recorded the lowest on-time rate among reported carriers at 59.7%. And it gets worse for JetBlue. The carrier also had the highest cancellation rate, at 6.2%, compared with 0.4% for Allegiant, the lowest in the table.
Jurgen Himmelmann, co-founder and CEO of Global Work & Travel, says passengers should consider how much flexibility their itinerary gives them if something goes wrong and your flight gets delayed or cancelled.
“Before booking, ask yourself what a disrupted journey would mean for the rest of your trip. If you are traveling for Thanksgiving dinner, a wedding or a cruise departure, arriving late could affect much more than your airport transfer,” says Himmelmann.
“Look at the route, the departure time, the connection and the other flights available that day. Those details deserve attention alongside the fare,” Himmelmann adds.
Here’s a closer look at how U.S. airlines compare on punctuality and cancellations.
- Delta: 77% on-time arrivals; 2% flights cancelled
- Allegiant: 73.2% on-time arrivals; 0.4% flights cancelled
- Alaska: 72.3% on-time arrivals; 1.5% flights cancelled
- United: 71.7% on-time arrivals; 1.6% flights cancelled
- American: 70.6% on-time arrivals; 2.7% flights cancelle
- Southwest: 69.1% on-time arrivals; 0.8% flights cancelled
- Frontier: 64.4% on-tiem arrivals; 3% flights cancelled
- JetBlue: 59.7% on-time arrivals; 6.2% flights cancelled
Delta Air Lines plane taking off. (Photo Credit: kamilpetran/Adobe)
Tips for booking flights
In addition to researching a carrier’s on-time performance and cancellation rate, other information can also help when planning a trip.
Himmelmann recommends checking the frequency of services on the chosen route, particularly when an itinerary involves a connection. This information can be especially helpful if your first flight arrives later than scheduled and you miss your connection.
“Check whether your flight is the last service of the day and what later options exist if you choose an earlier departure. More scheduled flights can give you more possibilities, although an available seat is never guaranteed,” says Himmelmann.
When your itinerary involves a connection, be sure you allow enough time for the practical steps between flights such as changing terminals, going through passport control or collecting and rechecking luggage. (My personal rule of thumb is never to book an itinerary that includes a connection of less than 60 minutes.)
The early-flight advantage
The report also found that 89.7% of departures scheduled between 6 am and 6.59 am were on time across the 30 largest U.S. airports, compared with 52.8% between 8 pm and 8.59 pm.
Himmelmann says an early departure is worth considering, as long as travelers account for the journey to the airport.
“Before choosing a 6 am flight, check the first train or bus and price up any taxi or overnight stay you would need. An early departure should work for your whole journey and your budget.
And one more tip, courtesy of Himmelmann: If your arrival date is critical, consider traveling the day before where possible. Leaving some space between landing and an important commitment gives you more room to deal with disruption, he says.
Finally, Himmelmann recommends preparing essential information before leaving home. “Keep your booking details, accommodation address and onward travel information accessible offline. If your plans change, having everything together makes it easier to explain your situation and work through the options.”
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