The UK airlines with the worst records for delays and disruptions

The summer holidays are on the horizon – which means millions of people will be taking to the skies. However, UK holidaymakers have been warned about the chart-topping airline for the wrong reason – delays.

Wizz Air is the worst airline for UK flight delays despite a fare increase, according to a new investigation into flights departing from the UK. In 2023, Wizz Air departures from UK airports were delayed by an average of 31 minutes and 36 seconds, according to an analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data by the PA news agency.

This was a drop of almost a third from 2022, but the airline still had the worst punctuality record for UK flights for three years running. A spokeswoman for the airline said: “In 2022, like all airlines in Europe, Wizz Air faced extraordinary operational challenges, mainly due to external factors. Since then, we have invested over £90m to stabilize operations, reduce delays and improve the customer experience.

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“While we have seen significant improvements in 2023, there is still work to be done.” She added: “Our main priority is to help our customers reach their destination. We will continue to invest in our service to ensure on-time arrivals.”

The spokesperson also said the airline’s current performance is “among the strongest in the entire industry”, with an on-time record that is “the highest among our direct competitors” and “the best flight completion rate in the whole of Europe”.

Turkish Airlines was found to have the second longest average flight delay in the UK at 28 minutes and 36 seconds. Tui customers departing from the UK experienced an average delay of 28 minutes and 24 seconds.

When it comes to UK airlines, British Airways came out on top with the longest average flight delay in the UK at 21 minutes 36 seconds, closely followed by easyJet at 21 minutes 30 seconds .

Longest average delay per outbound flight to shortest (departing UK)

1. Wizz Air (31 minutes and 36 seconds)
2. Turkish Airlines (28 minutes and 36 seconds)
3. Tui (28 minutes and 24 seconds)
4. Air India (28 minutes and 12 seconds)
5. Pegasus Airlines (25 minutes and six seconds)
6. Air Portugal (23 minutes and 48 seconds)
7. Vueling Airlines (23 minutes and six seconds)
8. Swiss Airlines (22 minutes and 48 seconds)
9. Air Canada (22 minutes and six seconds)
10. British Airways (21 minutes and 36 seconds)
11. EasyJet (21 minutes 30 seconds)
12. Aurigny Air Services (20 minutes 48 seconds)
13. Stobart Air (20 minutes 42 seconds)
14. Ryanair (19 minutes and 54 seconds)
15. Loganair (19 minutes and six seconds)
16. American Airlines (18 minutes and 48 seconds)
17. Eastern Airways (18 minutes and 42 seconds)
18. Air France (18 minutes and 36 seconds)
19. Emirates (18 minutes and 30 seconds)
20. Lufthansa (18 minutes and 30 seconds)
21. Eurowings (17 minutes and 54 seconds)
22. Jet2.com (17 minutes and 48 seconds)
23. Norwegian Air (17 minutes and 48 seconds)
24. Aer Lingus (17 minutes and 24 seconds)
25. Qatar (16 minutes and 24 seconds)
26. KLM (15 minutes and 54 seconds)
27. United Airlines (15 minutes and 36 seconds)
28. Blue Isles (15 minutes and six seconds)
29. Delta Airlines (15 minutes)
30. Iberia (14 minutes and 24 seconds)
31. SAS (14 minutes)
32. Virgin Atlantic (13 minutes and 42 seconds)
33. Emerald Airlines (13 minutes and six seconds)

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