Ask a Librarian & FAQs

Sources of Airline On-Time Statistics

There are several ways to access statistics on on-time performance, delays, and cancelations.

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Prepared Tables

• Access monthly Airline On-Time Statistics Press Releases

• Access monthly Air Travel Consumer Reports by carrier and airport (including mishandled-baggage statistics)

• Access Airline On-Time data tables (arrival and departure performance rankings)

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Simple Searches

• Access On-Time Performance - Flight Delays at a Glance by year and month

• Access Airline On-Time Statistics and Delay Causes

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Detailed Statistics

Access the data in TranStats

On the left side under "Data Finder" select "Aviation" for a list of aviation databases

Under the main column "Data Library: Aviation" select the 5th dataset "Airline On-Time Performance Data"

Then decide if you want either the Marketing or Reporting Carrier database. Please note that there are only a few years available of Marketing Carrier data. 

To view 1 or 2 fields (such as on-time arrival percentage by carrier and destination airport) or a time series, select the name of the database.

Select "Analysis" next to the field name you want to view:

 

To add more variables select "Crosstabs" from the left margin under "Analysis Type" or click "Time Series" to see multiple years

 

Tip: we recommend using "Unique Carrier" for your airline field

 

To export the dataset to Excel, click "Download Results:"

 

To narrow your search use the "Search the Results" box in the left margin. Separate your search terms with commas. (Example: UA,DL,WN or United,Delta,Southwest)

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Download Bulk Data

Access the raw data in TranStats:

• Some fields like tail number and flight number are only available through the "Download" function

• You can only download one month of data at a time

On the left side under "Data Finder" select "Aviation" for a list of aviation databases

 

Under the main column "Data Library: Aviation" select the 5th dataset "Airline On-Time Performance Data:"

 

To access multiple fields or search data for a specific flight, click "Download" under the description of the database:

• Use the "Filter Geography" menu to narrow state of origin/destination. 
• Use the "Filter Year" and "Filter Period" to narrow the date range.
• Select the boxes for the fields you want.
• Remember to select performance/summary fields (e.g. DepDelay, Canceled) along with any other fields you need, such as origin and carrier.

 

Select "Download" after you have completed filtering the data: 

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Other Resources

• 14 CFR 234 - reporting requirements 

• Accounting and Reporting Directives: Scroll down under "AIRLINE SERVICE QUALITY PERFORMANCE" to see which carriers file on-time data in a particular year, how it's done, and what is included in the data.