The satisfaction derived from purchasing cheap airplane tickets or cheap vacation packages is only enhanced when your flight leaves on time. The good news is that almost 79 percent of flights from the 18 largest U.S. carriers left on time in January vs. only 77 percent a year ago. Flights are deemed on time if they land or depart within 15 minutes of their scheduled time.
Almost 40 percent of the delays were attributable to weather.
Hawaiian Airlines turned in highest percent of on-time flights at almost 87 percent, followed by Alaska Airlines at almost 86 percent, and United at close to 84 percent.
Three regional airlines turned in the poorest on-time performance: American Eagle at under 73 percent, Pinnacle and Comair both at 73 percent.
The largest airlines performed as follows: Continental was fifth at 82 percent, Delta sixth at 81 percent, Southwest seventh at 80 percent, American ninth at just under 80 percent, and US Airways 11th at a little over 79 percent.
At the 30 biggest U.S. airports, San Francisco turned in the poorest on-time arrival performance at 65 percent and second to last performance for departures at just under 70 percent. The Chicago Midway airport came in last for on-time departures, with less than 69 percent of its flights leaving as scheduled.
Seattle airport had the best on-time arrivals at over 86 percent and departures at over 89 percent.
In January there were 21 reported runway delays over three hours: Delta had eight, US Airways four, Southwest three and American two.
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