The most reliable airlines for on-time performance

According to the 8th Annual On-time Performance Service Awards conducted by Flightstats, some of the best airlines for on-time arrivals in 2016 are right here in the Asia-Pacific.

Heading the list of major airlines, 87 per cent of Japan Airlines' flights arrived on time in 2016, followed by Virgin Australia at 86 per cent. Qantas sits in fifth position with 84 per cent, and anything at that level is a creditable performer.

In Europe over the course of 2016, Iberia, KLM and Austrian Airlines flights arrived on time between 86 and 88 per cent of the time or more, but Swiss International scored just 76 per cent of on-time arrivals – a surprise in a country where trains arrive with legendary punctuality.

Even Aeroflot scored 78 per cent.

Qatar topped the league tables among the Middle Eastern carriers with 86 per cent and South African Airways was the leading African carrier at 83 per cent.

While Alaska Airlines and Delta are the stars among the North American airlines with 88 per cent of on-time arrivals, United lagged at 82 per cent with just 80 per cent of American Airlines flights arriving on schedule.