How you can find on-time statistics on airline websites


Airline on-time statistics are posted on airline websites, but they are not easy to find. 


on-time statisticsOn-time statistics are important for travelers. DOT recognizes this importance. Travelers use arrival times in order to plan for enough time to get to connecting flights. Many also hope that checked baggage makes the connection as well. Now we can learn about how a passenger can even know what the record for on-time arrival might be and where that information can be found.

It is not as easy as it should be. Today, these numbers are more important than ever and less reliable. It seems that the airlines are in the midst of a meltdown when it comes to maintaining their schedules. When schedules change dramatically, passengers can request full refunds. However, at the last minute, those solutions are not always helpful.

I knew that the on-time statistics information was on airline websites and I thought it was also disclosed on online travel agency sites like Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, etc. Heck, Travelers United helped write those rules together with the Department of Transportation (DOT). I knew that there was a regulation to require on-time statistics be published on websites. But where? That was the question.

After a bit of sleuthing, I found that airline websites published the data (though not terribly intuitive to find). However, the online travel agents did not publish the data, at least no data that I could find. A closer look at the DOT rule showed me that airlines are required to publish the data while travel agents have no such mandate. So, Lesson 1 is for any on-time records go to the airline sites, not online travel agents.

The DOT On-Time rule is an April Fools joke. It bends the reality of connection times.

Irritated by hotel resort fees?On-Time, according to DOT regulations, means within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival. According to DOT on-time statistics, until a plane reaches 15+ minutes after scheduled arrival, it is not considered late by DOT. All other verbiage used by airlines is superfluous.

Remember this DOT fact about on-time statistics: When airlines arrive “on-time,” they may actually be 15 minutes late. If you are in the back of a plane, it may take another 10 minutes to get out of it. That may mean that your connecting time has been reduced by 25 minutes.

Here is where to find on-time statistics for the top six airlines:

American Airlines (AA)

Step 1: Go to the airline-schedule page and select flight.
Step 2: Click on “Details” in the lower-left corner. It will open to the following chart.

Delta Air Lines (DL)

Step 1: Go to the airline-schedule page and select flight.
Step 2: Click on the flight number shown in small type in the upper-right corner of the box.

‘+30 mins’ is defined as flights arriving more than 30 minutes past their scheduled arrival time. ‘+60 minutes’ is defined as flights arriving more than 60 minutes past their scheduled arrival time.

Southwest Airlines (SWA)

Step 1: Go to the schedule page.
Step 2: Click on the flight number above the flight listing.

 

 


United Airlines (UA)

Step 1: Go to the schedule page.
Step 2: Click on the “flight duration” link. It will open to this box.

NOTE: United Airlines states that on-time arrivals are within 15 minutes of scheduled arrivals.
According to United Airlines, “Late arrival” is more than 30 minutes after scheduled arrivals.
According to DOT, “Late arrival” is more than 15 minutes after scheduled arrivals.

 


Alaska Airlines (AK)

Step 1: Go to the scheduled-flights page.
Step 2: Click on the link that goes to the number of flights. That link will open the Alaska Airlines on-time-box.

JetBlue (JBU)

Step 1: Go to the schedule page.
Step 2: Click on the flight number in the lower-left of the flight listing.

JetBlue shows connecting flights but does not show the connection/layover times.

Join Us for Cybersecurity Benefits

 


READ ALSO:
Why do travel sites say “last room” when they have plenty?
The hotel staff knows why you booked your bargain reservation.


Previous

Next