In a major new study, Wizz Air has been identified as the worst airline for flight delays from UK airports. The analysis, which included all scheduled and chartered departures by airlines operating more than 2,500 flights (excluding cancelled flights), revealed an average delay time for all these flights of 20 minutes and 42 seconds, down from 23 minutes in 2022.
Despite a surge in fares, Wizz Air’s departures from UK airports were delayed by an average of 31 minutes and 36 seconds in 2023, according to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data analyzed by the PA news agency. This marks the third consecutive year that Wizz Air has recorded the worst punctuality for UK flights.
Wizz Air acknowledged the need for further improvements, even though it has made significant strides. Turkish Airlines ranked second worst for punctuality, with an average delay of 28 minutes and 36 seconds, followed by Tui (28 minutes and 24 seconds), Air India (28 minutes and 12 seconds), and Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines (25 minutes and six seconds).
Full Ranking of Airlines Based on UK Flight Punctuality in 2023:
Wizz Air (31 minutes and 36 seconds)
Turkish Airlines (28 minutes and 36 seconds)
Tui (28 minutes and 24 seconds)
Air India (28 minutes and 12 seconds)
Pegasus Airlines (25 minutes and six seconds)
Air Portugal (23 minutes and 48 seconds)
Vueling Airlines (23 minutes and six seconds)
Swiss Airlines (22 minutes and 48 seconds)
Air Canada (22 minutes and six seconds)
British Airways (21 minutes and 36 seconds)
EasyJet (21 minutes and 30 seconds)
Aurigny Air Services (20 minutes and 48 seconds)
Stobart Air (20 minutes and 42 seconds)
Ryanair (19 minutes and 54 seconds)
Loganair (19 minutes and six seconds)
American Airlines (18 minutes and 48 seconds)
Eastern Airways (18 minutes and 42 seconds)
Air France (18 minutes and 36 seconds)
Emirates (18 minutes and 30 seconds)
Lufthansa (18 minutes and 30 seconds)
Eurowings (17 minutes and 54 seconds)
Jet2.com (17 minutes and 48 seconds)
Norwegian Air (17 minutes and 48 seconds)
Aer Lingus (17 minutes and 24 seconds)
Qatar (16 minutes and 24 seconds)
KLM (15 minutes and 54 seconds)
United Airlines (15 minutes and 36 seconds)
Blue Islands (15 minutes and six seconds)
Delta Airlines (15 minutes)
Iberia (14 minutes and 24 seconds)
SAS (14 minutes)
Virgin Atlantic (13 minutes and 42 seconds)
Emerald Airlines (13 minutes and six seconds)
Emerald Airlines recorded the best performance last year, with an average delay of just 13 minutes and six seconds, closely followed by Virgin Atlantic at 13 minutes and 42 seconds.
Despite its poor punctuality, Wizz Air’s UK operations, serving airports including Aberdeen, Birmingham, Gatwick, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, and Luton, saw passenger numbers hit a record 62 million in the year ending March. This represents a significant increase from the 51.1 million passengers the previous year, alongside a pre-tax profit of €341.1 million (£290.4 million).
Aviation consultant John Strickland commented that Wizz Air had “many unhappy customers” in 2022 due to its “overambitious” flight schedules post-pandemic. He noted that the airline has since put in considerable effort to improve, including replanning rosters and increasing standby aircraft availability, but the results will take time to manifest.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel magazine, criticized airlines for providing unreliable services despite record air fares, calling on them to improve customer service and meet their legal obligations during delays and cancellations.
Wizz Air recently ranked last in an annual customer satisfaction survey by Which?, receiving an average of one star out of five for customer service and seat comfort. A Wizz Air spokeswoman acknowledged past challenges and highlighted the airline’s investments to improve operations and customer experience, claiming current performance among the best in the industry.
In January, the CAA’s enforcement action led to Wizz Air paying £1.2 million to UK-based passengers whose financial claims were reassessed after initial rejections, covering expenses like replacement flights, food, and hotel rooms during disruptions.
Dale Keller, chief executive of the Board of Airline Representatives in the UK, described 2023 as a “challenging year, particularly over the summer.”
You Might Be Interested In:
