An airline loved by Brits has been rated one of the worst for punctuality - and it's not easyJet, Ryanair, BA or Jet2. The likes of budget airlines easyJet and Ryanair sometimes come into criticism from their customers for a wide variety of issues, but it appears punctuality isn't one of them.
An airline which also offers package holidays that are popular with Brits is apparently among the worst for timekeeping.
TUI Airways has come fifth in a list of the top five worst airlines for UK flight delays; Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data reveals they were delayed 20 minutes, 24 seconds on average last year.
One route in particular was named the least punctual, Birmingham to the Greek party hotspot of Zante, with a delay of 46 minutes on average. Owned by TUI Group, the airline operates in more than 20 UK airports. Aage Dunhaupt, from TUI Group, told the Mail that "minimising delays remains a top priority", noting that TUI Airways runs flights "wherever possible, even if they are delayed, rather than cancelling them".
He said: "If we were to follow broader industry practices of cancelling flights more readily, our punctuality ranking would improve significantly. However, this would come at the expense of our customers."
Air India ranked worst for the second consecutive year, with average delays of more than 36 minutes, while Scandinavian Airlines was the most punctual, averaging just eight minutes.
Coming in second for worst performance was Blue Islands, which ceased trading at the end of last year. They were followed by TAP Air Portugal and Saudia. Overall, however, average delays have dropped from 18 minutes, 18 seconds in 2024 to 14 minutes, 48 seconds.
A spokesperson for trade body Airlines UK told ITV: "The vast majority of UK airline flights depart on time and CAA data shows customer satisfaction levels are at an all-time high.
"Most delays are the result of issues that are entirely outside airline control, such as adverse weather, forced reductions in the number of planes that are able to land and take off each hour, and industrial action."
They added: "When these delays do occur, airlines work hard to support customers and get them where they need to be as quickly as possible."
It comes after a flight attendant revealed her top five "basic" habits she "absolutely loves" to see passengers doing. Taking to TikTok, she started by saying: "When you take your headphones out as I walk up to your row."
"Instant respect. You see me. I see you. We’re already besties."
Her other habits were paying attention during announcements, offering a smile and a sincere thank you, keeping shoes on, and not treating the plane like your living room.
She added: "It's really that simple. Kindness + awareness + basic hygiene = elite passenger status."
