Delay Ranking – Cancellations and Delays by Airline

Air travel remains immensely popular, with millions of people flying daily to destinations across the globe. Yet, this frequency also comes with its share of headaches, such as cancellations and delays that can throw travel plans into disarray.

To better understand which airlines uphold punctuality and reliability, delay rankings are of great help. These rankings, backed by statistical data, highlight the performance of airlines regarding cancellations and delays. This document gathers the most critical insights about these delay rankings and the airlines involved.

Which airlines have the longest delays? 

Which airline has the most delays? According to Flightright’s data, the airlines with the most delays in 2023 were among the following ten: easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, Turkish Airlines, SAS, Vueling, ITA Airways and KLM. Of these, easyJet had the highest number of delays, followed by Ryanair and British Airways. These airlines were characterised by a particularly high level of unreliability in terms of their on-time arrivals, which caused frustration for many passengers. 

Important: However, the list of airlines changes a little when you look at the percentage of delays; these were as follows: British Airways, Turkish Airlines, easyJet, Air France, Jet2, Lufthansa, SAS, ITA Airways, KLM and KLM Cityhopper. 

Airline ranking by cancellations and delays 2023  

EasyJet 

EasyJet is a British low-cost airline with its headquarters at London Luton Airport. It was founded in 1995 and has since developed into one of the largest and most popular low-cost airlines in Europe. EasyJet operates a fleet of more than 300 aircraft and flies to over 150 destinations in 35 countries. The airline is known for its low fares and efficient service. EasyJet relies heavily on online distribution and innovative technologies to offer its passengers a seamless travelling experience. It places particular emphasis on sustainability and endeavours to reduce its CO2 emissions through various initiatives. 

In 2023, EasyJet had a total of 8,893 cancelled flights, which puts it in first place in terms of the number of cancellations. The percentage of cancelled flights was 1.69%, putting EasyJet in seventh place in this category. In terms of delays, EasyJet recorded 183,339 delayed flights, which also puts it in first place for the number of delays. The percentage of delayed flights was 34.89%, which puts EasyJet in third place in this category.  

Ryanair 

Ryanair is an Irish low-cost airline that was founded in 1984 and is now one of the largest airlines in Europe. Headquartered in Dublin, Ryanair operates an extensive route network covering destinations throughout Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The airline is known for its low fares and mainly uses secondary airports to reduce costs. Ryanair operates a modern fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft and is known for its strict baggage rules and surcharges, which are part of its business model to offer low ticket prices. 

In 2023, Ryanair had a total of 857,884 flights, of which 4,033 flights were cancelled, which corresponds to a cancellation rate of 0.47%. This figure places Ryanair 5th in terms of the number of cancelled flights and 16th in terms of the percentage of cancelled flights. In addition, Ryanair recorded 164,030 delayed flights, which represents 19.12% of all flights. This puts the airline in second place in terms of the number of delayed flights and 12th place in terms of the percentage of delayed flights.  

British Airways 

British Airways is one of the leading international airlines headquartered in London, UK. Founded in 1974, British Airways offers an extensive route network and flies to over 200 destinations in more than 80 countries worldwide. The airline is a member of the Oneworld alliance and operates a fleet of modern aircraft that meet high standards of comfort and safety. British Airways is renowned for its outstanding customer service and premium travel options, including First Class and Club World cabins. 

Based on Flightright data in 2023, British Airways recorded a total of 7,453 cancelled flights, putting it in 2nd place in the ranking of most cancelled flights. The percentage of cancelled flights was 3.08%, which also put the airline in 2nd place in the ranking by percentage of cancellations. In addition, British Airways had 90,249 delayed flights, which also put it in 3rd place in the ranking of the most delayed flights. The percentage of delays was 37.33%, once again placing British Airways in 1st place in the ranking by percentage of delays.  

Lufthansa 

Lufthansa, one of Europe’s largest and best-known airlines, was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in Cologne, Germany. As a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, Lufthansa offers an extensive network of domestic and international flights. The airline operates a modern fleet of more than 300 aircraft and serves millions of passengers annually on all continents. Lufthansa is recognised for its high standards of service and safety and has received numerous awards in the aviation industry. 

Based on Flightright data in 2023, Lufthansa had 6,728 cancelled flights, which puts it in 3rd place in the ranking of airlines with the most cancellations. Lufthansa’s percentage of cancelled flights was 2.22%, putting it in 4th place in this category. In terms of delayed flights, Lufthansa recorded 85,067 delayed flights, putting it in 4th place in the ranking by number of delays. The percentage of delayed flights was 28.11%, putting Lufthansa in 6th place in this category.  

Air France 

Air France is the national airline of France and was founded in 1933. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a member of the SkyTeam alliance. Air France offers flights to over 200 destinations worldwide and is recognised for its high standards of customer service and strong presence on long-haul flights. The airline’s main hubs are Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly. In addition to passenger transport, Air France also plays an important role in cargo transport and offers comprehensive services around the globe. 

Based on Flightright data in 2023, Air France recorded a total of 3707 cancelled flights, which puts it in 6th place in the ranking by number of cancellations. The percentage of cancelled flights is 1.72%, which also puts it in 6th place in the corresponding ranking. In terms of delays, Air France had 63,082 delayed flights, putting it in 5th place. The percentage of delays is 29.31%, which puts Air France in 4th place in the ranking of percentage delays. 

Turkish Airlines 

Turkish Airlines, founded in 1933, is the national airline of Turkey and is headquartered in Istanbul. It operates flights to more than 300 destinations in over 120 countries, making it one of the airlines with the most international connections worldwide. The airline is a member of the Star Alliance and is known for its high standard of service and its modern fleet, which includes both short-haul and long-haul aircraft. The hubs are Istanbul Airport and Ankara Esenboğa Airport, with Istanbul serving as the main hub. 

Based on Flightright data in 2023, Turkish Airlines recorded 50,977 delayed flights. This puts the airline in 6th place in terms of the absolute number of delays. The percentage of delayed flights is 36.38%, which puts Turkish Airlines in second place in the ranking according to the percentage of delayed flights.  

SAS 

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is the largest airline in Scandinavia and the flag carrier of Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The airline was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. SAS offers domestic and international flights to over 100 destinations worldwide. It is a member of Star Alliance and operates a modern fleet of aircraft that offer comfort and reliability. SAS places great emphasis on sustainability and is continuously working to reduce its environmental footprint. 

Based on Flightright data in 2023, SAS had 1,875 cancelled flights, which corresponds to a share of 1.31%. This puts the airline in 9th place in the ranking of cancelled flights and in the ranking of percentage cancellations. In terms of delays, SAS had 39,782 delayed flights, which corresponds to a share of 27.71%. This puts SAS in 7th place in terms of both the number of delayed flights and the percentage of delays.  

Vueling 

Vueling Airlines S.A. is a Spanish airline headquartered in El Prat de Llobregat near Barcelona. It was founded in 2004 and is one of the largest low-cost airlines in Europe. Vueling operates flights to over 100 destinations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The airline is a subsidiary of the International Airlines Group (IAG) and offers its passengers a wide range of services, including a frequent flyer programme and various fare options. 

Based on Flightright data in 2023, Vueling recorded 34,492 delayed flights, placing the airline in 8th place in terms of the number of delayed flights. The percentage of delayed flights is 16.35%, which represents the 15th place in the ranking by percentage of delayed flights.  

ITA Airways 

ITA Airways is Italy’s national airline and was founded in 2020 after Alitalia ceased operations. It is based in Rome and operates from the hubs at Rome-Fiumicino Airport and Milan-Linate Airport. ITA Airways offers an extensive route network with flights to numerous destinations in Europe and worldwide. The airline is a member of the SkyTeam alliance and strives to achieve the highest standards in terms of service quality and sustainability. 

Based on Flightright data in 2023, ITA Airways recorded 33,307 delayed flights, putting the airline in 9th place in terms of the number of delayed flights. The percentage of delayed flights is 26.81%, which ranks 8th in the ranking by percentage of delayed flights.  

KLM 

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, commonly known as KLM, is the national airline of the Netherlands, headquartered in Amstelveen, near Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Founded in 1919, KLM is the oldest operating airline in the world and, together with Air France, forms the Air France-KLM Group. KLM operates an extensive route network with flights to destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America. The airline is a member of the SkyTeam alliance and is known for its outstanding service and high customer satisfaction. 

Based on Flightright data in 2023, KLM recorded 2,765 cancelled flights, placing the airline in 7th place in terms of the number of cancelled flights. The percentage of cancelled flights is 2.3%, which ranks 3rd in the ranking by percentage of cancelled flights. In addition, KLM had 28,450 delayed flights, which ranks 10th in terms of the number of delayed flights. The percentage of delayed flights is 23.65%, which ranks 9th in the ranking by percentage of delayed flights. 

KLM Cityhopper 

KLM Cityhopper is a subsidiary of the Dutch airline KLM and mainly operates regional and short-haul flights within Europe. The airline is based in Amsterdam and operates from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. KLM Cityhopper was founded in 1991 and offers connections to numerous cities in Europe, often as feeder flights for the long-haul connections of its parent company KLM. The airline is known for its reliability and high quality of service. 

Based on Flightright data in 2023, KLM Cityhopper recorded 4,432 cancelled flights, putting the airline in 4th place in terms of the number of cancelled flights. The percentage of cancelled flights is 3.86%, which ranks 1st in the ranking by percentage of cancelled flights. In addition, KLM Cityhopper had 23,610 delayed flights, which ranks 13th in terms of the number of delayed flights. The percentage of delayed flights is 20.55%, which ranks 10th in the ranking by percentage of delayed flights. 

Eurowings 

Eurowings is a German airline based in Düsseldorf and a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group. The airline was founded in 1993 and specialises in low-cost flights within Europe. Eurowings offers flights to over 150 destinations in more than 50 countries and is characterised by a flexible fare model that offers various service options for different customer needs. The airline operates a fleet of modern Airbus aircraft and is known for its reliability and punctuality. 

Based on Flightright data in 2023, Eurowings recorded 2,114 cancelled flights, putting the airline in 8th place in terms of the number of cancelled flights. The percentage of cancelled flights is 1.93%, which puts it in 5th place in the ranking by percentage of cancelled flights.  

Wideroe’s Flyveselskap 

Widerøe’s Flyveselskap, often referred to simply as Widerøe, is a Norwegian regional airline based in Bodø. Founded in 1934, the airline operates the largest regional route network in Norway, serving over 40 airports in the country as well as several international destinations. Widerøe is known for its reliable flights to remote and rural areas of Norway and plays an important role in Norwegian domestic air traffic. The airline relies mainly on a fleet of Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft, which are optimised for short-haul flights. 

Based on Flightright data in 2023, Widerøe recorded 1,750 cancelled flights, which puts the airline in 10th place in terms of the number of cancelled flights. The percentage of cancelled flights is 1.67%, which ranks 8th in the ranking by percentage of cancelled flights. 

Jet2 

Jet2.com Limited, known as Jet2, is a British low-cost airline based in Leeds, England. The airline was founded in 2002 and has become one of the leading low-cost airlines in the UK. Jet2 operates flights to over 60 destinations in Europe, offering both scheduled and charter flights. The airline is known for its excellent customer service and reliability and has been recognised several times for its achievements in the aviation industry. 

Based on Flightright data in 2023, Jet2 recorded 28,048 delayed flights, putting the airline in 11th place in terms of the number of delayed flights. The percentage of delayed flights is 29.26%, which ranks 5th in the ranking by percentage of delayed flights. 

Aer Lingus 

Aer Lingus is the national airline of Ireland with headquarters in Dublin. The airline was founded in 1936 and operates flights to over 90 destinations in Europe, North America and Asia. Aer Lingus is a subsidiary of the International Airlines Group (IAG) and is known for its excellent service and comfortable flights. The airline operates a modern fleet of Airbus aircraft and offers its passengers a wide range of services, including a frequent flyer programme and various fare options. 

Based on Flightright data in 2023, Aer Lingus recorded 1,287 cancelled flights, placing the airline in 11th place in terms of the number of cancelled flights. The percentage of cancelled flights is 1.25%, which ranks 10th in the ranking by percentage of cancelled flights. 

Your flight compensation for delays and cancellations

Experiencing a flight delay or cancellation is undeniably frustrating. It can disrupt important business meetings, cut short your holiday, and lead to unexpected costs for hotel stays or additional transport. But, there’s a silver lining—passengers have rights and can often claim compensation from airlines.

When will I receive compensation if my flight is delayed? 

Travellers in Europe enjoy strong protection under EU Regulation 261/2004. This regulation ensures that if your flight is significantly delayed, you might be eligible for compensation. The key requirement? The delay needs to be over three hours at the time of arrival. The arrival time is when the aircraft reaches the destination airport and at least one door is opened for disembarkation.

Departure delays below 3 hours don’t count towards compensation. However, there are some rights passengers have during long waits at the airport:

• 2 hours delay for short-haul flights: Airlines must provide complimentary drinks and snacks.
• 3 hours delay for medium-haul flights: Catering services should be offered.
• 3 hours delay on arrival: Travellers are entitled to compensation between €250 and €600 per person.
• 4 hours delay for long-haul flights: Passengers should receive catering.
• 5 hours delay (any route): Travellers can choose to cancel their journey and get a refund for the ticket.
• Overnight delay: Passengers are entitled to a hotel stay, including transport to and from the airport.

Flight compensation – What do you get if your flight is delayed? 

• Passengers are eligible for compensation if the flight is delayed by 3 hours or more
• Depending on the flight route, compensation of €250 to €600 in accordance with the EU Passenger Rights Regulation 
• Entitlement to compensation even for missed connecting flights 
• Provision of drinks and snacks from 2 hours waiting time

When will I receive compensation if my flight is cancelled? 

The shorter the notice of flight cancellation, the more likely the airline must pay compensation. If your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure, you may be entitled to compensation under the EU Passenger Rights Regulation. Even if the airline reschedules your flight, it’s considered a cancellation, and you could still claim compensation.

Here’s what you need to know to claim compensation for a flight cancellation:

• The airline must be responsible for the cancellation.
• You must have checked in on time.
• The flight should either take off from or land in the EU.
• If landing in the EU, the airline must be EU-based.
• The cancellation must have occurred within the past three years.

Meeting all these conditions ensures you can claim compensation for your cancelled flight.

Notification Time	Arrival of the Alternative Flight at the Destination:	Entitlement to Compensation?
More than 14 days in advance	Departure and arrival times do not matter	No
7 – 14 days in advance	Departs no more than 2 hours earlier or arrives no more than 4 hours later	No
7 – 14 days in advance	Departs more than 2 hours earlier or arrives more than 4 hours later	Yes
Less than 7 days in advance	Departs no more than 1 hour earlier or arrives no more than 2 hours later	No
Less than 7 days in advance	Departs more than 1 hour earlier or arrives more than 2 hours later	Yes
Less than 14 days in advance	No alternative flight offered	Yes

Flight compensation – What do I get if my flight is cancelled? 

• Entitlement to a replacement flight or a refund of the ticket price 
• If you were informed by the airline less than 14 days before departure, you can claim compensation for the flight cancellation 
• According to the EU Passenger Rights Regulation, you are entitled to compensation of between €250 and €600 per person in the event of flight cancellations, depending on the distance 
• Entitlement to care services in the event of long waiting times 

How can Flightright help you?

Are you stuck at the airport due to a flight delay? Your flight has been canceled or you have been removed from the passenger list (denied boarding)?

In each of the situations described, you as a passenger have a right to compensation.

According to the EU Passenger Rights Regulation, passengers are entitled to compensation in the event of a delay, cancellation, overbooking, or missed connection. You can claim up to 600 euros of compensation per person (minus commission fee). This compensation is independent of the ticket price. Flightright enforces your right for you. If necessary also in court.

Tip: Flightright helps you to enforce your passenger rights! With us, you can check your claims free of charge in two minutes. ✔️Easy, ✔️fast ✔️& without risk

As the market-leading consumer portal, Flightright fights for the enforcement of air passenger rights. We stand up for your rights in the event of a flight delay, cancellation or denied boarding and refer to the European Union’s Air Passenger Rights Regulation 261/2004. Flightright’s air passenger rights experts are also happy to help you with ticket refunds and refunds for canceled package tours.

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