SAS Outpaces Azul, LATAM, Copa Airlines, Aeromexico, Qatar Airways, Safair, Iberia as World’s Most On Time Airlines in May 2025, New Update for You – Travel And Tour World

SAS outpaces Azul, LATAM, Copa Airlines, Aeromexico, Qatar Airways, Safair, and Iberia—not once, but with overwhelming consistency throughout May 2025. This new update reveals a surprise shift in global aviation, where SAS not only outpaces but leaves behind some of the world’s most efficient carriers. With on-time arrival performance soaring, SAS now holds the crown among the world’s most on-time airlines.

Meanwhile, industry giants Copa Airlines, Aeromexico, Safair, and Qatar Airways also competed fiercely. Yet SAS outpaces them all, again and again. LATAM, Azul, and Iberia—known for their punctuality—trail behind as SAS, Copa Airlines, and Safair break new ground.

It’s not just about numbers—it’s about reliability passengers can count on. As travel rebounds, and global skies get crowded, timing matters more than ever. SAS, Copa Airlines, and Safair are proving they can deliver—on time, every time.

But how did SAS outpace Azul, LATAM, Copa Airlines, Aeromexico, Qatar Airways, Safair, and Iberia so decisively? What made May 2025 a defining month for airline performance? The answer lies in the data—and the strategy behind it.

This isn’t just an operational win. It’s a shift in global travel confidence. Passengers are watching. Airlines are adjusting. And the sky is no longer the limit—it’s a stopwatch.

The new update is here. And it’s changing how the world sees punctuality in the air. The full breakdown of winners, surprises, and performance rankings is one click away.

Airline Punctuality Takes Off: SAS, Copa Airlines, and Safair Crowned Most On-Time Carriers in May 2025

In a travel industry marked by delays, cancellations, and operational chaos, some carriers are quietly winning. Cirium’s latest On-Time Performance (OTP) Report for May 2025 reveals a global shift in airline reliability—with SAS, Copa Airlines, and Safair taking top honors in their respective regions.

As flight volumes return to pre-pandemic highs, on-time performance is more than a statistic—it’s a critical metric for customer trust, operational efficiency, and brand reputation.

SAS Takes Global Crown with Near-Perfect Precision

Scandinavia’s SAS (SK) emerged as the world’s most on-time airline, recording an 89.72% OTP rate across more than 22,000 flights. With a hub at Stockholm Arlanda and strong operations out of Copenhagen, SAS combined speed and consistency with a 99.65% completion rate.

This milestone places SAS at the very front of the global reliability race and reinforces Europe’s growing push toward schedule discipline amid a complex post-pandemic recovery.

Latin America’s Quiet Powerhouse: Copa Airlines Leads Region

In Latin America, Copa Airlines (CM) posted a stunning 93.49% on-time arrival rate, making it the region’s reliability leader. Operating out of Panama City’s PTY, Copa continues to impress with punctual operations that rival some of the most sophisticated global airlines.

This consistency strengthens Copa’s strategic position as a Latin American hub connector—especially in a region known for unpredictable weather and logistical bottlenecks.

Africa and Middle East See Stellar Performance from Safair

Meanwhile, in the Middle East and Africa, low-cost carrier Safair (FA) claimed the top spot with a remarkable 95.22% OTP. Based in Johannesburg (JNB), Safair’s precision stands out in a region where operational challenges often impact timeliness.

Other regional contenders like Royal Jordanian (RJ) and Oman Air (WY) followed closely, delivering over 92% OTP—an encouraging sign that Middle East and African carriers are prioritizing punctuality.

Global Top 5 Airlines Show Strong Completion and Arrival Metrics

Alongside the regional champions, Cirium’s global rankings spotlight the top five most reliable carriers:

1. SAS (SK) – 89.72% OTP | Hub: ARN
2. Saudia (SV) – 89.18% | Hub: RUH
3. Aeromexico (AM) – 89.06% | Hub: MEX
4. Qatar Airways (QR) – 87.48% | Hub: DOH
5. Avianca (AV) – 85.81% | Hub: BOG

These five airlines not only posted elite-level on-time rates but also maintained near-perfect completion factors, showing strength in both frequency and reliability.

Regional Breakdown: Who’s Winning Where

Across the world, different airlines rose to meet the punctuality challenge:

North America

• Air Canada (AC) – 79.06% | Hub: Toronto Pearson
• Delta Air Lines (DL) – 79.03% | Hub: Atlanta
• Alaska Airlines (AS) – 78.65% | Hub: Seattle

Asia-Pacific

• Virgin Australia (VA) – 85.83% | Hub: Brisbane
• Thai AirAsia (FD) – 84.63% | Hub: Don Mueang
• Air New Zealand (NZ) – 82.40% | Hub: Auckland

Europe

• SAS (SK) – 89.72% | Hub: Copenhagen
• Iberia Express (I2) – 89.52% | Hub: Madrid
• Austrian (OS) – 88.35% | Hub: Vienna

These regional leaders show that OTP excellence is not limited by geography. Whether you’re flying short-haul or intercontinental, punctuality is becoming a brand signature for the top carriers.

Airport Reliability: Oslo Leads, PTY and JNB Impress

Airlines aren’t the only ones under scrutiny. Airport operations play a key role in maintaining punctuality. In May 2025, Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) achieved the highest on-time departure rate globally at 91.22%.

Other standout performers included:

• Panama City (PTY) – bolstering Copa’s OTP dominance
• Johannesburg (JNB) – aligned with Safair’s regional lead
• Kona (KOA) – proving that smaller airports can deliver big reliability

These airports serve as models of efficiency in a post-disruption era where airports are increasingly under pressure to deliver speed and precision.

What This Means for Travelers and the Industry

For travelers, these OTP numbers are more than data—they’re peace of mind. Booking with an airline known for timely arrivals is one of the best ways to avoid missed connections, overnight delays, and disrupted travel plans.

For the industry, high OTP rankings are becoming strategic assets. In a competitive market, airlines that show consistency win loyalty, reduce costs, and optimize fleet usage. Airports that support such efficiency become more attractive for new routes and airline partnerships.

A Rising Global Benchmark for Travel Reliability

The May 2025 OTP Report sends a clear message. Airline reliability is improving, and the leaders are setting new standards for the rest of the world to follow. With SAS, Copa, and Safair leading the way, passengers now have solid choices for on-time travel across nearly every region.

But the race is far from over. As the summer peak approaches, all eyes are on whether these carriers can maintain—or exceed—their exceptional performance.

Because in today’s aviation world, time isn’t just money—it’s trust.