In 2025, several major airlines faced scrutiny for poor punctuality on UK flights, with TUI Airways notably ranking fifth among the worst performers. According to an analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data, TUI’s Birmingham to Zante route experienced an average delay of 46 minutes—the longest for any of its routes with at least 100 flights.
Overall, TUI Airways’ scheduled and chartered departures from UK airports were delayed by an average of 20 minutes and 24 seconds last year. Meanwhile, Jet2, Ryanair, and easyJet recorded similar mid-table delay averages around 15 minutes.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, criticized the ongoing unreliability and growing fares faced by airline passengers. He urged airlines to improve communication about passenger rights and compensation eligibility, encouraging travelers to claim compensation when airlines are responsible for delays.
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TUI Airways, part of the TUI Group which also operates the UK’s second-largest package holiday company, serves more than 20 UK airports. Aage Dunhaupt, TUI Group communications director, emphasized the airline’s commitment to minimizing delays and explained its strategy to avoid cancellations by opting to operate delayed flights instead. Dunhaupt noted that while this approach affects punctuality rankings, it prioritizes customers reaching their destinations over reducing delay statistics.
The CAA’s punctuality review included 34 airlines with more than 2,500 flights each in 2025, excluding cancellations. Air India held the poorest punctuality record for the second year running, averaging delays of 36 minutes and 36 seconds, followed by Blue Islands, TAP Air Portugal, and Saudia.
On the other end, Scandinavian Airlines achieved the best punctuality in 2025, with an average delay of just eight minutes, closely followed by Virgin Atlantic at 11 minutes. Overall, the average delay for UK flights fell from 18 minutes 18 seconds in 2024 to 14 minutes 48 seconds in 2025.
CAA director Tim Johnson highlighted the significant disruption delays cause and reinforced the importance of protecting passenger rights. Passengers on delayed flights from the UK may be entitled to assistance including food, drink, communication facilities, and accommodation where necessary. They can also claim compensation up to £520 if delays result from factors within airlines’ control, such as technical issues or crew shortages.
A spokesperson for Airlines UK, representing UK-registered carriers, noted that most UK flights depart on time and customer satisfaction remains at an all-time high. Delays often stem from factors outside airline control like adverse weather, air traffic restrictions, and industrial action. The spokesperson affirmed that airlines work diligently to support customers and minimize disruption whenever delays occur.
Below are the average delay times for the worst-performing airlines in 2025:
- Air India – 36m 36s
- Blue Islands – 25m 12s
- TAP Air Portugal – 23m
- Saudia – 21m 18s
- TUI Airways – 20m 24s
- SunExpress – 20m 12s
- Aurigny – 19m 36s
- Pegasus Airlines – 18m 36s
- Swiss – 17m 54s
- KLM – 17m 48s