UK Fliers Beware: Worst Airlines for Flight Delays in New Zealand Revealed

• The Civil Aviation Authority disclosed that the majority of delays were experienced on flights between Gatwick and Bangalore.
• EXPLORE FURTHER: One of the globe’s least favorable long-distance carriers exposed in extensive research

If you’ve ever caught yourself looking at a departure screen puzzled as to why your flight isn’t yet airborne, you’re not alone—and it turns out some airlines are more prone to leaving passengers waiting than others have been uncovered.

A new study, put together by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) , has revealed the top airlines responsible for flight delays at UK airports, with one carrier topping the list for all the wrong reasons.

Air India Has been dubbed the UK's most tardy airline, with travelers facing an average takeoff delay of almost 46 minutes over the course of 2024.

The least effective route was Air India's Gatwick to Bangalore service, which ran an average of more than 80 minutes late across 50 departures - making it the most delayed UK route overall.

Rory Boland, who edits Which? Travel, referred to the airline's performance as 'entirely unacceptable.'

Air India, which runs operations from Birmingham , Gatwick, and Heathrow to key locations in India like Delhi, Mumbai , and Bengaluru, said the disruption was 'primarily due to factors beyond our control.'

A spokesperson added: 'Proactive operational initiatives like self-check-in, baggage drop and automated boarding process have ensured smoother airport touchpoint experience and faster turnaround of aircraft, boosting on-time departures.

The introduction of the new Airbus A350 and improved B787-9 planes on certain UK routes has also contributed to better on-time performance in our flights.

'Over the first three months of 2025, Air India’s on-time performance has seen significant improvement on our direct flights from the UK to India, which also reflects on our NPS (customer satisfaction) scores.'

Following its acquisition by Tata Group in 2022, after experiencing prolonged periods of financial difficulties and operational shortcomings, the airline has been under increasing scrutiny to improve its dependability.

Aviation analyst John Strickland stated that the airline is still emerging from "this phase of stagnation," highlighting ongoing problems like inadequate supplies of replacement components and planes being parked due to insufficient funding.

He stated, "While you might enjoy excellent cuisine and a fantastic team, at the core of it all, running an airline that is both timely and dependable remains crucial. This aspect is still under development for them."

In the meantime, Guernsey’s Aurigny Air Services took the second spot as the least favorable in the research, averaging delays of 31 minutes and 12 seconds.

The Turkish budget airline SunExpress trailed just behind with an average delay of 29 minutes and 36 seconds, whereas Air Portugal had delays averaging 25 minutes and 12 seconds.

Conversely, Irish carrier Emerald Airlines boasted the finest punctuality from United Kingdom airbases, clocking an average delay of merely 10 minutes and 30 seconds.

The CAA analysis looked at airlines that had more than 2,500 scheduled or charter departures from the UK in the previous year. Flights that were cancelled were not included in this research.

The aggregate average delay for all participating airlines decreased to 18 minutes and 18 seconds in 2024, compared to 20 minutes and 42 seconds the previous year.

UK passengers who experience significant delays may be entitled to assistance, including food, drinks, overnight accommodation and even financial compensation of up to £520, depending on the cause and length of the delay.

To qualify, delays must arise from issues within the airline's control, such as mechanical faults or crew shortages.

Anna Bowles, head of consumers at the CAA, urged airlines to 'uphold high standards of service and reliability.'

She commented, "Although most airlines have improved their performance regarding delays—with the overall average decreasing—these hold-ups can still lead to considerable disruptions and hassles for travelers."

'Reasons for delays vary widely, and we strongly believe that airlines should minimize their effects by offering prompt updates and respecting travelers' rights whenever applicable.'

Elsewhere, a A recent survey has disclosed which air carriers offer the finest and poorest meals to their travelers.

According to the YouGov: Self-serve survey, Emirates leads in onboard refreshments and cuisine, as stated by the study. It reveals that 84 percent of travelers have positive feelings about the airline’s snacks and beverages, whereas an impressive 85 percent appreciate their meal service.

Almost half (43 percent) of the people polled gave the airline's snacks a 'very good' rating.

Qatar Airways, crowned as the globe’s top airline in 2024, ranks second on the list, garnering approval from 83 percent of travelers. awarding its snacks a favorable score and 82 percent satisfied with its onboard cuisine .

Virgin Atlantic completes the top three, as nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of travelers praise its beverages and snacks, while 73 percent express satisfaction with the onboard meals.

When it comes to UK airlines, British Airways leads the way with 61 percent of its passengers. prating the airline's snacks and drinks positively .

Read more