How do I access Airline On-Time Statistics?

Answer

Sources of Airline On-Time Statistics

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


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)


Simple Searches

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

  • Access Airline On-Time Statistics and Delay Causes


Detailed Statistics

Access the data in TranStats

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

Select "Aviation"

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

Select "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. 

Marketing Carrier and Reporting Carrier

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:

Select "Analysis"

 

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

Select "Crosstabs"

 

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

Select "Unique Carrier" for AirlineID

 

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

Select "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)

Select "Search the Results"


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

Select "Aviation"

 

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

Select "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.

Limit search results with "Filter Geography", "Filter Year", "Filter Period", and "Field Names"

 

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

Select "Download" after filtering data


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.

 

  • Last Updated Aug 15, 2023
  • Views 8740
  • Answered By Victoria Milam

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