KLM flies better on time than THAI
Nothing more annoying than seeing the message 'delayed' on the departure or arrival board of an airport. Those who want to avoid that should fly with South African Airways (international) and Air Busan (Asia), because those two companies lead a ranking of airlines in order of punctuality.
The numbers were compiled by FlightStats, an Oregon-based organization, based on flight data for the month of February.
Just to lift a corner of the veil: our very own KLM is in 7th place; 86,81 of the flights fly on time, so that's not too bad. And 'on time' means that the aircraft is at the gate within 15 minutes of the expected arrival time.
Thai Airways International is doing considerably worse. It is in 30th place, which means that 78,85 percent of its flights are on time. Behind THAI, 18 more companies follow. All 48 airlines scored 78,85 percent.
Thai AirAsia ranks sixth among Asian airlines with a punctuality rate of 87,73 percent. Number 1, Air Busan scores 95,77 percent. The average of the 41 companies was 68,18 percent; 1,09 percent of the flights had the word 'cancelled' on the departure board.
FlightStats has been collecting flight data since 2004. Every day there are 150.000 flights or almost 80 percent of all passenger flights.
(Source: Bangkok Post, March 21, 2013)
I flew with KLM again yesterday, it went well, I left Bangkok on time, it was fine, I like it more and more with KLM, will go with KLM again next time if the price is ok
I don't attach much value to this kind of list, especially when it's based on data from just 1 month. From 2009 until now, more than 60 flights have been made with Singapore Airlines, to and within South-East Asia, and there have not been any significant delays. And what do you call a delay, by the way: the list is based on 15 minutes. On a flight of about 12 hours, that hardly matters, I think.
Cornelius,
Totally agree and "on time" is how you look at it.
On a one-hour flight, 14 minutes is quite different from a delay of 16 minutes on a 12-hour flight. The 16 minutes are registered as negative and the 14 minutes as “on time”.
Dick,
Just something about the numbers because they are a bit confusing – (with the Bangkpost Post that wouldn't surprise me of course)
If ALL 48 airlines score 78,85 percent, how can the 41 Asian companies only score an average of 68,18 percent.
And if Thai Airways occupies 30th place with 78,85 percent, how much do the 18 others score that come after Thai Airways, because that would mean that they are also last?
Dick: Do you want to calculate it yourself using the source article: http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/aviation/341618/thai-ranks-30th-for-flight-punctuality
I have now read the original message and it became clear that two lists were used. A list with the most important international companies and another with the Asian companies which explains the differences. The average of the International was 77.64% and of the Asian was 68.18%.
Probably just a typo slipped into the translation. Can happen to the best.
Also not noticed It says - Thai AirAsia chief executive Tassapon Bijleveld etc...
A CEO with Dutch roots perhaps?
It is dangerous to assume that airlines that fly very punctually do well. At KLM and many other serious airlines, in the event of a technical problem, it is checked whether it is still safe to fly or not. Some airlines overlook this and they fly anyway. On time, yes. but sure?????