Delta's 1st quarter on-time rate puts it near top of airline ranking

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines ranked near the top among U.S. carriers for on-time performance in the first quarter of the year, according to a federal report.

For January-March 2018, Delta was No. 2 for punctuality with an 86.37 percent on-time arrival rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Alaska Airlines held the No. 1 spot with an 87 percent on-time rate.

However, Delta’s regional carrier subsidiary Endeavor Air ranked 13th out of 18 carriers for on-time performance.

Airline on-time arrival rate, January-March 2018

1. Alaska, 87.02%

2. Delta, 86.37%

3. Hawaiian, 84.8%

4. United, 84.4%

5. Spirit, 83.37%

6. American, 81.89%

7. Southwest, 79.34%

8. Mesa, 78.94%

9. Allegiant, 78.45%

10. Republic, 77.98%

11. SkyWest, 77.91%

12. Virgin Amerca, 77.61%

13. Endeavor, 76.96%

14. Envoy, 76.51%

15. ExpressJet, 76.29%

16. Frontier, 75.77%

17. PSA, 72.65%

18. JetBlue, 67.92%

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

For the month of March alone, Delta ranked No. 1 for on-time performance with 86.97 percent of flights arriving on time, followed closely behind by Alaska at 86.77 percent.

About the Author

Kelly Yamanouchi

Business reporter Kelly Yamanouchi covers airlines and the airport including Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, one of the world's largest carriers, and Hartsfield-Jackson, ranked for years as the world's busiest airport. She has covered airlines for more than 15 years, graduated from Harvard and has a master's degree from Northwestern.