Every year, OAG publishes its On-Time Performance (OTP) Report, ranking global and regional airlines based on their flight punctuality. The latest data for 2025 provides a clear picture of which European carriers keep passengers closest to schedule and which face delays.
How is On-Time Performance Measured?
OAG defines an on-time flight as one that arrives at the gate within 15 minutes of its scheduled time.
To qualify for the rankings, an airline must operate at least 1,500 flights per month, and OAG must have access to flight status data for at least 80 percent of those flights.
Importantly, to understand the statistics, cancellations count as late arrivals, impacting each carrier’s final OTP score. This data is refreshed monthly, providing the most up-to-date view of reliability in global skies.
Europe’s Most Punctual Airlines – October 2025
According to OAG’s latest data for October 2025, Western and Northern European airlines continue to dominate punctuality rankings. The most punctual airlines in Europe 2025 :
1. SAS Scandinavian Airlines ranks first in Europe with 84.78% on-time performance
SAS leads the European ranking, maintaining its reputation for reliability. The airline operated over 23,000 flights, with only 1.24% cancellations. Globally, SAS ranks 36th, a solid performance among international carriers.
- Finnair with 83.51% on-time performance
In second place is Finland’s flagship carrier, Finnair, known for its punctual short-haul and long-haul routes connecting Europe to Asia and the US. Out of 9,570 flights, only 1.58% were cancelled, securing Finnair the 43rd position globally.
- Aer Lingus with 81.68% on-time performance
Ireland’s Aer Lingus ranks third on the list of the most punctual airlines in Europe 2025, and it places 53rd globally. With around 9,700 total flights, the airline recorded 2.12% cancellations, reflecting consistent scheduling.
