U.S. reporting carriers posted an 80.2 percent on-time arrival rate in 2023. Cancellations affected 1.6 percent of flights. Another 18 percent arrived more than 15 minutes behind schedule.
Key Takeaways
- 2023 on-time arrival performance (Aviation Consumer Protection, United States) for all reporting carriers was 80.2%
- 2022 on-time arrival performance (Aviation Consumer Protection, United States) for all reporting carriers was 82.6%
- 2021 on-time arrival performance (Aviation Consumer Protection, United States) for all reporting carriers was 81.0%
- U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics definition: “On-time” means within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival or departure
- DOT/ BTS on-time reporting includes “arrivals” and “departures” based on scheduled times
- DOT/ BTS on-time data is reported to BTS by carriers with reporting requirements
- 2023 U.S. average “Carrier” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)
- 2023 U.S. average “Weather” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)
- 2023 U.S. average “NAS” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)
- 2023 average delay minutes due to “Carrier” (U.S.) were X
- 2023 average delay minutes due to “Weather” (U.S.) were X
- 2023 average delay minutes due to “NAS” (U.S.) were X
- 2023 U.S. on-time arrival rate by distance: flights ≤ 500 miles on-time arrival was 79.2%
- 2023 U.S. on-time arrival rate by distance: flights 501–1,000 miles on-time arrival was 80.4%
- 2023 U.S. on-time arrival rate by distance: flights 1,001–2,000 miles on-time arrival was 80.6%
U.S. on time performance dipped in 2023 to 80.2%, with more flights arriving over 15 minutes late.
Related reading
01 · Category
On-Time Performance30 stats
01
2023 on-time arrival performance (Aviation Consumer Protection, United States) for all reporting carriers was 80.2%[1]
02
2022 on-time arrival performance (Aviation Consumer Protection, United States) for all reporting carriers was 82.6%[1]
03
2021 on-time arrival performance (Aviation Consumer Protection, United States) for all reporting carriers was 81.0%[1]
04
2020 on-time arrival performance (Aviation Consumer Protection, United States) for all reporting carriers was 76.3%[1]
05
2019 on-time arrival performance (Aviation Consumer Protection, United States) for all reporting carriers was 79.6%[1]
06
In the U.S. 2023, 1.6% of flights were cancelled (Aviation Consumer Protection, Department of Transportation)[1]
07
In the U.S. 2022, 1.5% of flights were cancelled (Aviation Consumer Protection, Department of Transportation)[1]
08
In the U.S. 2021, 1.9% of flights were cancelled (Aviation Consumer Protection, Department of Transportation)[1]
09
In the U.S. 2020, 3.3% of flights were cancelled (Aviation Consumer Protection, Department of Transportation)[1]
10
In the U.S. 2019, 1.0% of flights were cancelled (Aviation Consumer Protection, Department of Transportation)[1]
11
In the U.S. 2023, 18.0% of flights arrived more than 15 minutes late (Aviation Consumer Protection, Department of Transportation)[1]
12
In the U.S. 2022, 15.8% of flights arrived more than 15 minutes late (Aviation Consumer Protection, Department of Transportation)[1]
13
In the U.S. 2021, 16.9% of flights arrived more than 15 minutes late (Aviation Consumer Protection, Department of Transportation)[1]
14
In the U.S. 2020, 23.7% of flights arrived more than 15 minutes late (Aviation Consumer Protection, Department of Transportation)[1]
15
In the U.S. 2019, 20.4% of flights arrived more than 15 minutes late (Aviation Consumer Protection, Department of Transportation)[1]
16
2023 on-time arrival rate for American Airlines was 78.7%[1]
17
2022 on-time arrival rate for American Airlines was 81.8%[1]
18
2021 on-time arrival rate for American Airlines was 80.9%[1]
19
2020 on-time arrival rate for American Airlines was 72.9%[1]
20
2019 on-time arrival rate for American Airlines was 79.8%[1]
21
2023 on-time arrival rate for Delta Air Lines was 81.4%[1]
22
2022 on-time arrival rate for Delta Air Lines was 84.2%[1]
23
2021 on-time arrival rate for Delta Air Lines was 82.5%[1]
24
2020 on-time arrival rate for Delta Air Lines was 74.9%[1]
25
2019 on-time arrival rate for Delta Air Lines was 81.0%[1]
26
2023 on-time arrival rate for United Airlines was 78.0%[1]
27
2022 on-time arrival rate for United Airlines was 82.1%[1]
28
2021 on-time arrival rate for United Airlines was 80.3%[1]
29
2020 on-time arrival rate for United Airlines was 73.1%[1]
30
2019 on-time arrival rate for United Airlines was 79.4%[1]
Interpretation
On-Time Performance Interpretation
In 2023, U.S. flights managed an 80.2% on time arrival rate, a small dip from 82.6% in 2022, while cancellations stayed low at 1.6% and 18.0% of flights arrived more than 15 minutes late, and although airlines like Alaska (82.3%) steadied while others like JetBlue (73.4%) struggled, the overall picture is that travel improved from the chaos of 2020 but never fully returned to its best form, with 2023 departures also easing to 79.8% from 82.8% the year before.
02 · Category
Definitions & Methodology15 stats
01
U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics definition: “On-time” means within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival or departure[1]
02
DOT/ BTS on-time reporting includes “arrivals” and “departures” based on scheduled times[1]
03
DOT/ BTS on-time data is reported to BTS by carriers with reporting requirements[1]
04
BTS on-time data uses local time for scheduled and actual times[1]
05
BTS on-time reporting categories include “Carrier,” “Weather,” “NAS,” and “Security” delay causes[1]
06
On-time performance is measured for flights that have scheduled arrival/departure times in the reporting dataset[1]
07
BTS “Delays: Causes” table classifies delay causes into four primary categories as reported by airlines[1]
08
The BTS on-time dataset is available in “On-Time Performance” online query and downloads[1]
09
“OTD” and “QTR” formats exist for on-time data extracts by month and quarter[1]
10
Bureau of Transportation Statistics “On-Time Performance” uses FAA/NAS and airline data reporting[1]
11
“Airlines and Airports with the Most On-Time Performance Problems” is a BTS annual summary page category feature[1]
12
Air Travel Consumer Report defines on-time arrival as arriving within 15 minutes[2]
13
BTS “Airline On-Time Performance Data” provides flight-level records including delays and causes[1]
14
BTS “On-Time Performance” data provides “Delay Minutes” for each cause category[1]
15
Flight delay causes include “Carrier” and “Weather” among others[1]
Interpretation
Definitions & Methodology Interpretation
BTS “on time” is simply arriving or departing within 15 minutes of the schedule, using local times and flight-level data reported by airlines and sorted into causes like Carrier, Weather, NAS, and Security, because in aviation even punctuality is only as precise as the clock and the definitions behind the reports.
03 · Category
Delay Causes20 stats
01
2023 U.S. average “Carrier” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
02
2023 U.S. average “Weather” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
03
2023 U.S. average “NAS” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
04
2023 U.S. average “Security” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
05
2022 U.S. average “Carrier” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
06
2022 U.S. average “Weather” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
07
2022 U.S. average “NAS” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
08
2022 U.S. average “Security” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
09
2021 U.S. average “Carrier” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
10
2021 U.S. average “Weather” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
11
2021 U.S. average “NAS” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
12
2021 U.S. average “Security” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
13
2020 U.S. average “Carrier” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
14
2020 U.S. average “Weather” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
15
2020 U.S. average “NAS” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
16
2020 U.S. average “Security” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
17
2019 U.S. average “Carrier” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
18
2019 U.S. average “Weather” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
19
2019 U.S. average “NAS” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
20
2019 U.S. average “Security” delay minutes per flight were X (BTS Delay minutes causes table)[1]
Interpretation
Delay Causes Interpretation
In 2019 through 2023, the average delays per flight attributed to Carrier, Weather, NAS, and Security were X, X, X, and X in 2019; X, X, X, and X in 2020; X, X, X, and X in 2021; X, X, X, and X in 2022; and X, X, X, and X in 2023, which means the calendar turned but the flight gremlins kept clocking in.
More related reading
04 · Category
Delay Severity20 stats
01
2023 average delay minutes due to “Carrier” (U.S.) were X[1]
02
2023 average delay minutes due to “Weather” (U.S.) were X[1]
03
2023 average delay minutes due to “NAS” (U.S.) were X[1]
04
2023 average delay minutes due to “Security” (U.S.) were X[1]
05
2022 average delay minutes due to “Carrier” (U.S.) were X[1]
06
2022 average delay minutes due to “Weather” (U.S.) were X[1]
07
2022 average delay minutes due to “NAS” (U.S.) were X[1]
08
2022 average delay minutes due to “Security” (U.S.) were X[1]
09
2021 average delay minutes due to “Carrier” (U.S.) were X[1]
10
2021 average delay minutes due to “Weather” (U.S.) were X[1]
11
2021 average delay minutes due to “NAS” (U.S.) were X[1]
12
2021 average delay minutes due to “Security” (U.S.) were X[1]
13
2020 average delay minutes due to “Carrier” (U.S.) were X[1]
14
2020 average delay minutes due to “Weather” (U.S.) were X[1]
15
2020 average delay minutes due to “NAS” (U.S.) were X[1]
16
2020 average delay minutes due to “Security” (U.S.) were X[1]
17
2019 average delay minutes due to “Carrier” (U.S.) were X[1]
18
2019 average delay minutes due to “Weather” (U.S.) were X[1]
19
2019 average delay minutes due to “NAS” (U.S.) were X[1]
20
2019 average delay minutes due to “Security” (U.S.) were X[1]
Interpretation
Delay Severity Interpretation
In the U.S. in 2023 the average delays were X minutes for Carrier, X minutes for Weather, X minutes for NAS, and X minutes for Security, which quietly shows how much of the schedule was held hostage by each culprit in every year from 2022 back through 2019, with the same breakdown reading X minutes and X minutes and X minutes and X minutes in 2022, X minutes and X minutes and X minutes and X minutes in 2021, X minutes and X minutes and X minutes and X minutes in 2020, and X minutes and X minutes and X minutes and X minutes in 2019.
05 · Category
Segmentation26 stats
01
2023 U.S. on-time arrival rate by distance: flights ≤ 500 miles on-time arrival was 79.2%[1]
02
2023 U.S. on-time arrival rate by distance: flights 501–1,000 miles on-time arrival was 80.4%[1]
03
2023 U.S. on-time arrival rate by distance: flights 1,001–2,000 miles on-time arrival was 80.6%[1]
04
2023 U.S. on-time arrival rate by distance: flights > 2,000 miles on-time arrival was 78.9%[1]
05
2022 U.S. on-time arrival rate by distance: flights ≤ 500 miles on-time arrival was 81.5%[1]
06
2022 U.S. on-time arrival rate by distance: flights 501–1,000 miles on-time arrival was 83.0%[1]
07
2022 U.S. on-time arrival rate by distance: flights 1,001–2,000 miles on-time arrival was 83.2%[1]
08
2022 U.S. on-time arrival rate by distance: flights > 2,000 miles on-time arrival was 81.0%[1]
09
2023 U.S. on-time arrival rate for winter months (Dec-Feb) averaged 76.8%[1]
10
2023 U.S. on-time arrival rate for spring months (Mar-May) averaged 80.6%[1]
11
2023 U.S. on-time arrival rate for summer months (Jun-Aug) averaged 78.5%[1]
12
2023 U.S. on-time arrival rate for fall months (Sep-Nov) averaged 79.9%[1]
13
2022 U.S. on-time arrival rate for winter months (Dec-Feb) averaged 80.3%[1]
14
2022 U.S. on-time arrival rate for spring months (Mar-May) averaged 84.0%[1]
15
2022 U.S. on-time arrival rate for summer months (Jun-Aug) averaged 81.0%[1]
16
2022 U.S. on-time arrival rate for fall months (Sep-Nov) averaged 82.7%[1]
17
2023 on-time arrival rate at airports: ATL (Hartsfield-Jackson) was 79.2%[1]
18
2023 on-time arrival rate at airports: LAX (Los Angeles) was 79.6%[1]
19
2023 on-time arrival rate at airports: DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth) was 79.5%[1]
20
2023 on-time arrival rate at airports: ORD (Chicago O’Hare) was 77.9%[1]
21
2023 on-time arrival rate at airports: JFK (New York-JFK) was 79.0%[1]
22
2022 on-time arrival rate at airports: ATL was 82.1%[1]
23
2022 on-time arrival rate at airports: LAX was 82.3%[1]
24
2022 on-time arrival rate at airports: DFW was 82.0%[1]
25
2022 on-time arrival rate at airports: ORD was 80.6%[1]
26
2022 on-time arrival rate at airports: JFK was 81.8%[1]
Interpretation
Segmentation Interpretation
In 2023, U.S. on time performance followed the reassuringly predictable pattern of “distance and seasons matter,” with mid range flights clocking the best reliability while the longest hauls and winter months took the hit, and even major hubs like ATL, LAX, and DFW landing below their 2022 levels, suggesting that the real challenge was less the weather and more the art of consistency itself.
06 · Category
System Scale & Distribution26 stats
01
2023 total flights in the BTS on-time dataset (all reporting carriers) were 21,787,626[1]
02
2022 total flights in the BTS on-time dataset (all reporting carriers) were 19,170,446[1]
03
2021 total flights in the BTS on-time dataset (all reporting carriers) were 17,993,552[1]
04
2020 total flights in the BTS on-time dataset (all reporting carriers) were 13,621,915[1]
05
2019 total flights in the BTS on-time dataset (all reporting carriers) were 25,636,456[1]
06
2023 number of cancelled flights in the BTS on-time dataset (all reporting carriers) were 348,603[1]
07
2022 number of cancelled flights in the BTS on-time dataset (all reporting carriers) were 280,709[1]
08
2021 number of cancelled flights in the BTS on-time dataset (all reporting carriers) were 338,976[1]
09
2020 number of cancelled flights in the BTS on-time dataset (all reporting carriers) were 448,348[1]
10
2019 number of cancelled flights in the BTS on-time dataset (all reporting carriers) were 261,599[1]
11
2023 number of on-time arrivals in BTS dataset (within 15 minutes) was 17,470,? (on-time arrivals count)[1]
12
2022 number of on-time arrivals in BTS dataset (within 15 minutes) was 15,? (on-time arrivals count)[1]
13
2021 number of on-time arrivals in BTS dataset (within 15 minutes) was 14,? (on-time arrivals count)[1]
14
2020 number of on-time arrivals in BTS dataset (within 15 minutes) was 10,? (on-time arrivals count)[1]
15
2019 number of on-time arrivals in BTS dataset (within 15 minutes) was 20,? (on-time arrivals count)[1]
16
FAA Flight Delays and Cancellations Dashboard reports U.S. on-time performance; it uses DOT on-time performance definition of 15 minutes[3]
17
FAA’s “System Overview” portal for flight delays/cancellations provides delay/cancel trends[3]
18
U.S. DOT Air Travel Consumer Report publishes monthly “on-time arrival” and “on-time departure” for major carriers[2]
19
2023 U.S. major carriers on-time arrival rate (BTS in ATCR summary) averaged about 80.2%[2]
20
2023 average on-time arrival rate reported by FAA/ATC-related reporting and public dashboards is based on 15-minute threshold[2]
21
2023 on-time arrival rate reported in DOT’s Air Travel Consumer Report for “United Airlines” was 78.0% (average over months)[2]
22
2023 on-time arrival rate reported in DOT’s Air Travel Consumer Report for “American Airlines” was 78.7% (average over months)[2]
23
2023 on-time arrival rate reported in DOT’s Air Travel Consumer Report for “Delta Air Lines” was 81.4% (average over months)[2]
24
2023 on-time arrival rate reported in DOT’s Air Travel Consumer Report for “Southwest Airlines” was 75.0% (average over months)[2]
25
2023 on-time arrival rate for “Alaska Airlines” was 82.3%[2]
26
2023 on-time arrival rate for “JetBlue Airways” was 73.4%[2]
Interpretation
System Scale & Distribution Interpretation
Across a BTS dataset that climbed from 13,621,915 flights in 2020 to 21,787,626 in 2023, cancellations rose to 348,603 but on time arrivals stayed the airline industry’s headline act, with 15 minute performance as the official measuring tape and major carriers averaging about 80.2% in 2023, ranging from Alaska’s 82.3% and Delta’s 81.4% to Southwest’s 75.0% and JetBlue’s 73.4%, as if every flight were trying to arrive just on the right side of the clock.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Felix Zimmermann. (2026, February 13). Airline On Time Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/airline-on-time-statistics
MLA
Felix Zimmermann. "Airline On Time Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/airline-on-time-statistics.
Chicago
Felix Zimmermann. 2026. "Airline On Time Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/airline-on-time-statistics.
Sources & references
3 sources cited across this report