Sydney, Australia: Qantas has been ranked the world’s most punctual major airline for June 2026, achieving its best operational reliability in nearly a decade and completing a remarkable turnaround after ranking among the world’s poorest-performing major carriers just three years ago.
The recognition comes from aviation data and analytics company OAG in its June 2026 On-Time Performance (OTP) report, which evaluates the punctuality of airlines worldwide. OAG defines an on-time flight as one that arrives within 15 minutes of its scheduled arrival time. The “major airline” category includes carriers operating more than 20,000 scheduled flights per month.
According to OAG, Qantas recorded an 87.16% on-time arrival rate across 22,617 flights during June, edging out Colombia’s Avianca, which posted 87.00%, while India’s IndiGo ranked third with 86.60%. SAS Scandinavian Airlines and Pegasus Airlines completed the top five major carriers. Although Indonesia’s Garuda Indonesia achieved an even higher on-time performance of approximately 97%, it was not included in the major airline category because it operates fewer than 20,000 monthly flights.
The June result marks Qantas‘ strongest punctuality performance for the month since 2017 and caps a steady operational improvement throughout 2026. The airline had already ranked among the global top performers in previous months, finishing second in April and third in May, before taking the top spot in June.
| S. No. | Airline | Region | OTP | Cancellations | Flights |
| 1. | Qantas Airways | Southwest Pacific | 87.16% | 1.59% | 22,617 |
| 2. | Avianca | Latin America | 87.00% | 0.97% | 22,910 |
| 3. | IndiGo | Asia : South Asia | 86.64% | 0.20% | 64,599 |
| 4. | Scandinavian Airlines | Europe | 83.65% | 2.04% | 22,943 |
| 5. | Pegasus Airlines | Europe | 83.10% | 0.26% | 20,121 |
| 6. | Azul Airlines | Latin America | 81.92% | 2.54% | 22,646 |
| 7. | LATAM Airlines Group | Latin America | 81.73% | 1.34% | 48,475 |
| 8. | Delta Air Lines | North America | 81.32% | 1.43% | 158,530 |
| 9. | China Southern Airlines | Asia | 80.89% | 0.31% | 62,991 |
| 10. | Alaska Airlines | North America | 80.38% | 0.76% | 47,548 |
The achievement represents a significant recovery for Australia’s flag carrier. In 2023, Qantas ranked 106th globally for punctuality following a period of operational disruption that affected many airlines after the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the airline has focused heavily on improving operational reliability through fleet modernization, scheduling improvements, boarding efficiencies and network planning.
Operational statistics released alongside the ranking showed that nearly 85% of Qantas’ domestic departures left on schedule during June, while around 74% of international departures departed on time. Approximately 87% of international flights arrived within 30 minutes of their scheduled arrival times. The airline also recorded a relatively low 1.59% cancellation rate during the month.
Despite topping the major airline category, Qantas ranked 23rd overall among the approximately 145 airlines included in OAG’s broader June punctuality assessment, which also evaluates smaller regional carriers. Several smaller airlines recorded higher punctuality percentages but operated significantly fewer flights than the threshold required for inclusion in the major airline rankings.
Qantas Domestic Chief Executive Officer Markus Svensson credited the result to the efforts of employees across the airline’s operations.
“This achievement reflects the dedication of our people across the business who work every day to deliver reliable services for our customers,” Svensson said, adding that while the recognition is encouraging, the airline remains focused on further improving reliability and the overall customer experience.
The airline’s improved operational performance depends upon several initiatives implemented over the past year. These include the introduction of new Airbus A220-300 aircraft and the arrival of the Airbus A321XLR, both of which provide improved operational efficiency and reliability compared with older aircraft. Qantas has also streamlined boarding procedures, turnaround processes and operational planning while investing in network resilience to reduce delays.
The latest OAG rankings place Qantas ahead of several major global competitors, reinforcing Australia’s flag carrier’s operational recovery at a time when airlines worldwide continue to face challenges including airspace restrictions, supply chain constraints and fleet availability issues.
The June ranking also comes as Qantas continues to navigate broader industry pressures, including elevated fuel costs and geopolitical disruptions affecting global aviation. Nevertheless, the latest OAG data highlights a substantial improvement in the airline’s operational performance and marks one of its strongest reliability results in recent years.
