Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has taken the top spot as the world’s most punctual airline for the second month in a row, according to aviation data experts Cirium.
In the latest figures provided by Cirium, SAS ranked first in both the Global Airlines and European Major Airlines categories in May 2025.
On June 10, 2025, the Scandinavian carrier said it had spent the last year finding ways to “improve operational stability and deliver more predictable journeys for travelers”.
Measures taken to address punctuality included closer coordination between teams, more structured daily planning, and better use of data to guide operations.
“It proves what’s possible when everyone pulls in the same direction. Improving punctuality takes daily focus, teamwork and thousands of smart decisions across the operation. It’s been a clear priority for us, knowing how much it matters to our customers and our own teams — and we’re seeing the difference it makes,” said Anko van der Werff, President and CEO of SAS.
In May 2025, 89.72% of SAS flights arrived on time, putting it ahead of rivals Aeromexico and Saudia, who finished first and second for 2024, respectively.
SAS also held the number one spot in April 2025 and placed second in March 2025, alongside consistent top three placements throughout the winter.
“To go from 15th place in 2023 to taking the top spot in both Europe and Global categories—two months in a row—is no small feat. These results speak to a consistent focus on operational performance and a clear commitment to the customer experience,” said Mike Malik, Chief Marketing Officer at Cirium.
SAS said that the improvements are visible both in its overall statistics and in day-to-day performance.
