American vs Delta: On-Time Performance Compared
Last 12 months · Aug 2025 – Jul 2026
Data through July 2026 · Last updated October 18, 2026
Delta was more punctual than American over the last 12 months: 81.5% of its flights arrived on time, against 74.6%.
Delta cancelled fewer flights (1.7% vs 2.2%), and late flights averaged 85 minutes late on American vs 71 on Delta.
On the 142 routes both airlines fly regularly, American had the better on-time record on 41 and Delta on 101.
American vs Delta: key numbers
Last 12 months, all flights each airline operated.
AmericanDelta
On-time arrivals
On-time departures
Cancelled
Diverted
| Measure | American | Delta |
|---|---|---|
| On-time arrivals | 74.6% | 81.5% |
| On-time departures | 73.6% | 81.9% |
| Avg delay when late | 85 min | 71 min |
| Cancelled | 2.2% | 1.7% |
| Diverted | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| Scheduled flights | 987,645 | 1,038,644 |
Monthly on-time trend: American vs Delta
On-time arrival % each month, last 24 months.
AmericanDelta
60%70%80%90%
Aug ’24Nov ’24Feb ’25May ’25Aug ’25Nov ’25Feb ’26May ’26
What delays each airline
Share of each airline’s reported delay minutes by cause, last 12 months.
AmericanDelta
Airline (carrier)
Weather
Air traffic system (NAS)
Security
Late-arriving aircraft
More comparisons
American Airlines full stats · Delta Air Lines full stats · All airline comparisons