Australia’s most commonly delayed airlines revealed

There’s no doubt about it – flight delays can be frustrating, especially when you’re all set for an adventure. In Australia, airlines’ on-time performance varies widely, and knowing which carriers are more likely to be delayed can help you plan ahead.
Here’s a look at which airlines had the most delays in September 2024 according to the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics..

How Australia’s Airlines Ranked for Delays

Australia’s on-time performance for airlines has taken a bit of a hit. In September 2024, airlines operating across the country saw 75.5% of flights arriving on time and 76.1% departing on time, both figures lower than Australia’s long-term averages of over 80% for both arrivals and departures.

Here’s how some of Australia’s biggest airlines performed:

Hinterland Airlines led the pack with 91.1% of flights arriving on time and an impressive 94.1% of flights departing on time – making it the most reliable airline for punctuality.

Skytrans followed closely, with 84.5% of flights arriving on time and 81.7% departing on time.

Rex Airlines also had a respectable 76.6% on-time arrival rate and 79.9% on-time departures.

QantasLink and Qantas came in with on-time arrivals at 77.5% and 73.7% respectively, while Jetstar and Virgin Australia hovered in the low 70% range.

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines saw the biggest delays, with only 58.2% on-time arrivals and 55.2% on-time departures – so if you’re flying with them, prepare for potential hold-ups!

The Routes Most Likely to be Delayed

Flight delays often depend on the routes taken, with some routes experiencing more on-time performance issues. Here are the routes that recorded the lowest on-time percentages in September:

Launceston to Brisbane had the lowest on-time arrivals, with only 43.2% of flights arriving as scheduled.

Hamilton Island to Sydney had the lowest on-time departures, with just 51.9% of flights leaving on time.

Some routes also had higher-than-average cancellation rates, with Emerald to Brisbane leading the way with a cancellation rate of 8.9%.

Whether you’re heading to a bustling city or an idyllic island, knowing which routes experience delays can help you prepare and manage your schedule for a smoother start or end to your holiday.

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