Delta Air Lines finished 2022 as the most punctual carrier in the US with an on-time performance (OTP) of 81.79%, according to an assessment by travel data analytics company OAG.
Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines were named among the top five most on-time airlines in North America.
Salt Lake City International was named the most punctual airport in the US, with an OTP of almost 84%. Boise and Fresno were second and third. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson and Seattle-Tacoma topped the "mega airport" punctuality category and were in turn listed second and third globally.
According to OAF, the strong performance by US carriers and airports was recorded despite "winter weather disruptions over the Christmas holiday" and "reflects the competitive nature of the rapidly-recovering US domestic market in 2022”.
Even Southwest Airlines, which cancelled almost 17,000 flights during the weather disruptions, fared well overall, with an OTP of almost 72% putting it 14th globally for punctuality among low-cost airlines.
“Despite a tough end to the year, overall on-time performance is improving across the board as carriers provided slightly less frequency to ease operational pressures and delays," said OAG analyst John Grant.