New flight data showed which airlines struggled most with on-time arrivals in 2025 and explained how delays shaped everyday travel plans worldwide today. A new report from flight tracking app Flighty examined how often flights arrived late in 2025. The study reviewed data from 22 million flights, encompassing over 78 million hours of air travel. Flights were counted as delayed if they arrived at least 15 minutes after their scheduled arrival time.
This method focused on arrival delays instead of departure delays. A flight can leave late and still arrive on time, which is why arrival data matters more for travelers. Arrival delays frequently impact connections, hotel check-ins, and transportation arrangements.
How U.S. airlines ranked overall
Among U.S. carriers, Frontier Airlines ranked as the most delayed in 2025. About 28% of its flights arrived at least 15 minutes late. JetBlue and Southwest tied for second place, with delays affecting 25% of their flights.
American Airlines and Alaska Airlines tied for third place in the U.S. ranking. American had roughly 24% of flights arrive late, while Alaska followed closely at 23%. Because of these ties, five airlines ended up filling the top three spots.
How U.S. carriers compare to international airlines
While the U.S. rankings were notable, international airlines showed even higher delay rates. Ryanair, easyJet, and Air France each had delays on 29% of flights in 2025. That rate was worse than any U.S.-based airline in the report.
This comparison shows that delays are a global issue. Busy airports, high passenger demand, and tight flight schedules affect airlines worldwide. Travelers flying abroad may want to build in extra time just as they would on domestic trips.
What flight delays really cost travelers
The report also highlighted how much time delays added up to across the world. The average delay lasted 23 minutes. In total, travelers lost about 3.9 million hours due to late arrivals.
Delays before takeoff added another layer of frustration. Travelers collectively spent about 1.4 million hours waiting for flights to depart. That amount of time equals roughly 164 years of waiting at airports.
Common reasons flights were delayed
Most delays were linked to operational challenges. These included gates not being ready, taxiway congestion, runway queues, and aircraft holding patterns. Crew availability, equipment issues, and weather restrictions also played major roles.
In the U.S., security and staffing issues added pressure during busy travel periods. A government shutdown in the fall contributed to longer TSA wait times. These delays often caused ripple effects that affected flights throughout the day.
Airports also added to travel stress
Airline delays were not the only problem travelers faced. Newark Liberty International Airport was recently named the most stressful airport in the world in a separate study. That ranking considered delays, cancellations, security wait times, and baggage claim performance.
Newark’s average departure delay exceeded 21 minutes, with a cancellation rate above 1%. Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport and Manchester Airport followed closely behind. In the U.S., JFK and Chicago O’Hare also ranked high for stress-related factors.
What travelers can take from this report
Delay rankings do not mean you should avoid certain airlines completely. Instead, they help set expectations and guide planning decisions. Booking early flights, avoiding tight connections, and allowing extra buffer time can make trips smoother.
As air travel demand continues to grow, delays are likely to remain part of flying. Knowing which airlines and airports struggle the most can help you prepare. With the right planning, travel days can feel far more manageable.
Source: yahoo.com
