The airline had 81 percent of its flights on time, well above the UK average of 72 percent.
AirAdvisor analysed the latest CAA punctuality data to find the UK’s most reliable airlines in the first three quarters of 2025.(Image: Getty Images)
A Scottish airline has been named the UK’s most punctual major carrier in 2025, according to new analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data. Analysis covering January to September 2025 suggested Glasgow-based airline Loganair recorded the highest on-time performance of any major UK carrier so far this year.
The Scottish airline had 81 percent of its flights arrive or depart within 15 minutes of schedule, significantly above the national average of 72 percent. Air passenger rights experts, AirAdvisor, assessed the latest CAA Aviation Trends punctuality data, published quarterly, to determine the most reliable carriers over the first three quarters of 2025.
The study focused on the 20 airlines carrying the most passengers at UK airports, tracking the proportion of flights delayed against the CAA’s definition of “on-time”. The research highlighted the challenges faced by other carriers, with TUI performing worst among major airlines, achieving just 57.5 percent on-time flights.
Blue Islands, which has now ceased trading, recorded less than 60 percent, while Swiss Airlines had around 64 percent of flights on schedule. Discussing the findings, AirAdvisor CEO Anton Radchenko explained: “Many factors contribute to an airline’s on-time performance, not all of them within an airline’s control, but past performance remains a key indicator of a carrier’s future ability to keep flights on schedule.
“Loganair and Virgin Atlantic genuinely are best in class in terms of punctuality, with an average of above four in five flights on-time in 2025.” Radchenko also highlighted the airline’s resilience during peak periods.
“In quarter two, as an example, which includes the busy Easter holidays, many airlines’ on-time performance plummeted to below 65 percent. During this time however, 86 percent of Loganair flights were on-time, which really is exceptional – and the Scots carrier has to be commended for this.
“Airlines that score consistently high on-time percentages during more challenging spells are more likely to keep passengers moving to schedule during less busy times of the year.” The CAA defines a flight as on-time if it departs or arrives at the airport gate within 15 minutes of its scheduled time.
The agency collects punctuality data from the largest airlines operating in the UK, typically those with the most frequent flights to and from British airports. Radchenko also noted that 2025 has seen a reduction in disruptions compared with previous years.
“Scottish air travellers should be relieved to hear that for the most part, flight delays and cancellations are falling. 2025 has been something of a turning point year for the aviation industry, with disruptions finally decreasing to close to pre-Covid levels.
“That said, millions of passengers each year find themselves in a position where their flights are delayed or cancelled. And in many cases, you may be due up to £520 in compensation for the inconvenience caused, thanks to UK government regulation UK261, depending on the cause of the disruption and the notice you were given by your airline.”
Based on the analysis of flights with at least two quarters of available data, the best airlines ranked by average on-time performance for the first three quarters of 2025 are as follows:
- Loganair and Virgin Atlantic – 81 percent of flights on time
- Emirates – 78 percent of flights on time (average of Q1 and Q2 as Q3 unavailable)
- British Airways, Wizz Air, Emerald Airlines, Lufthansa and United Airlines – 76 percent
- Eurowings and Aer Lingus – 75 percent
- American Airlines and Vueling – 74 percent
- easyJet – 72 percent
- Air France – 71 percent
- Ryanair – 70 percent
- Jet2 and KLM – 69 percent
- Swiss Airlines – 64 percent
- Blue Islands – 59.5 percent (Q1 data unavailable)
- TUI – 57.5 percent (average of Q2 and Q3 as Q1 unavailable)
