Aviation analytics firm Cirium named Delta Air Lines the most on-time airline in North America for 2025. The ranking affirms Delta's operational reliability despite significant industry-wide challenges.
The report noted 2025 was a difficult year for airlines. Challenges included FAA equipment failures and a six-week U.S. government shutdown that caused air-traffic controller shortages.
While Delta secured the top spot, its on-time arrival rate decreased by more than two percentage points compared to the previous year. These challenges, including telecommunications outages at major airports, contributed to increased flight-delay minutes across the entire U.S. aviation system, impacting all carriers.