Northwest Airlines, at 79.2percentturnedned in the best on-time performance in August.
That has helped Southwest achieve the best on-time performance of any major carrier.
A year ago, JetBlue claimed it had the best on-time performance among major airlines.
It's almost funny, except it isn't, obviously (See article: Ash Thursday, April 15th)Which American airline managed the best on-time performance record in 2009?
US Airways had the best on-time arrival rate in November, at 88.7percentt, followed by United Airlines, at 87.9, and American Airlines, at 87.6.
Southwest also had the best on-time record of the 10 largest domestic carriers last year, according to data compiled by the Department of Transportation.
Alaska Airlines, in fact, had the industry's best on-time performance for the third consecutive year in 2012, with 87 percent of flights landing on time, according to FlightStats, a data provider.
"Ryanair will carry over 58 million passengers this year, have the best on-time performance of any European airline at 88%, lose just 0.5 bags per 1,000 passenger and cancel fewer flights than any other major European airline.
During the winter holiday, the airlines with the best on-time average in recent years were Gulfstream International Airlines (73.8%), PSA Airlines (77.9%) and Hawaiian Airlines.
We pared down the DOT's list, however; the airlines that have some of the best on-time records are those that operate with fewer planes out of fewer, less-busy airports.
The Transportation Department said last week that United had the sixth-best on-time record among carriers in 2004.
