SAS world’s most punctual airline second month in a row — topping both European and global rankings

SAS was once again named the world’s most punctual airline for May 2025, ranking first in both the Global Airlines and European Major Airlines categories in Cirium’s monthly report. The result follows a sustained focus across the company on improving operational stability and delivering more predictable journeys for travelers. 

Over the past year, SAS has worked across departments to increase reliability and reduce delays. Measures have included closer coordination between teams, more structured daily planning, and better use of data to guide operations. The improvements are visible both in overall statistics and in day-to-day performance.

“This achievement is a tribute to our incredible teams across SAS — end-to-end planning from network and crews to technicians and operations control — who show true dedication every single day. 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. Being ranked number one is a great moment for the entire SAS team, and a sign that the steps we’ve taken are delivering real results,” says Anko van der Werff, President & CEO, SAS.

For the second consecutive month, SAS ranks as the most punctual airline globally. In May, 89.72 percent of the airline’s flights arrived on time, ahead of Saudia and Aeromexico. This marks the third month in a row that the top three global positions have been secured by airlines from the SkyTeam alliance. SAS also held the number one spot in April and placed second in March, alongside consistent top-three placements throughout the winter.

Compared to the same period last year, the trend marks clear progress – despite challenging seasonal conditions and increased traffic. The rankings are compiled by Cirium, a leading aviation analytics company that tracks real-time operational performance across the industry.

The improvement in punctuality is part of a broader effort to strengthen operational quality following SAS’ transformation. The airline has introduced new internal targets, tighter turnaround processes, and more consistent performance tracking.

“SAS is clearly on a strong trajectory. 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. With an 89.72% on-time rate in May, SAS continues to set the pace. Congratulations again to Anko van der Werff and the entire team. It’s great to see this kind of momentum in action,“ says Mike Malik, Chief Marketing Officer at Cirium.

While May’s top ranking is a notable milestone, SAS emphasizes that the work is ongoing, with continued focus on stability and predictability throughout the summer and beyond.