Aeromexico has secured the title of best airline in the world for on-time arrivals in 2024, according to the latest report from CBS News and Los Angeles Times. The Mexican airline achieved an impressive on-time performance rate of nearly 87%, reflecting its ability to deliver flights within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival.

Following Aeromexico, Saudi Arabia's Saudia ranked second with an on-time performance rate exceeding 86%. Among U.S. carriers, Delta Air Lines stood out with a rate of over 83%, despite facing significant challenges including a debilitating computer outage that led to numerous flight cancellations in July. United Airlines and Alaska Airlines followed Delta, with on-time rates of 80% and 79%, respectively.

The report by aviation data provider Cirium draws on more than 600 sources of real-time flight information, emphasizing the rigorous standards airlines must meet to qualify, such as providing at least 80% actual gate arrival data coverage. Cirium CEO Jeremy Bowen noted, "In 2024, the aviation industry demonstrated incredible resilience... Airlines and airports continued to prioritize operational excellence,” which was particularly noteworthy amid the numerous obstacles they faced, such as severe weather and cybersecurity disruptions.

JetBlue Airways, in a twist of fate, was omitted from the list of most reliable U.S. airlines due to its chronically delayed flights, subsequently incurring a $2 million fine from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The department pointed out that it expects airlines to adhere to realistic scheduling practices, making JetBlue’s penalties a warning for the industry.

Cirium's top rankings reflect a consistent effort by airlines worldwide to uphold service quality. The inclusion of various global carriers underscores how challenges like diminished air traffic controller availability impacted overall performance in North America, with U.S. airlines achieving an average on-time rate of 76%, a commendable improvement from 74% in the previous year.

Overall, the rankings revealed a modern aviation landscape striving for excellence, where operational timeliness remains a critical marker of success. For travelers hoping for punctuality, this analysis by Cirium sheds light on which airlines have successfully navigated the complexities of flight schedules.