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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation
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Data Profile: Airline On-Time Performance Data
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Airline On-Time Performance Data
   Overview
This database contains scheduled and actual departure and arrival times reported by certified U.S. air carriers that account for at least half of one percent of domestic scheduled passenger revenues. In 2018 the percent changed from one percent to half of one percent. The data is collected by the Office of Airline Information, Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).
   Coverage
US certified air carriers that account for at least half of one percent of domestic scheduled passenger revenues. In 2018 the percent changed from one percent to half of one percent.
   Availability
 
 
First Year1987
Last Year2024
FrequencyMonthly
 
   Data Tables
View tables in this database ...
Marketing Carrier On-Time Performance (Beginning January 2018)
Marketing carriers market flights for themselves and, in some cases, for regional code share partners. Table shows on-time data for the marketing carrier network, if applicable, the marketing carrier that is the reporting carrier and the marketing carriers code-share affiliates as a group. Reporting carriers that do not market flights are included in the regional code share group. Table shows: on-time arrival and departure data for non-stop domestic flights by month and year, by marketing network, marketing carrier that reports and regional code-share group, by origin and destination airport. Includes scheduled and actual departure and arrival times, canceled and diverted flights, taxi-out and taxi-in times, causes of delay and cancellation, air time, and non-stop distance. Use Download for individual flight data.
Reporting Carrier On-Time Performance (1987-present)
Reporting carriers are required to (or voluntarily) report on-time data for flights they operate: on-time arrival and departure data for non-stop domestic flights by month and year, by carrier and by origin and destination airport. Includes scheduled and actual departure and arrival times, canceled and diverted flights, taxi-out and taxi-in times, causes of delay and cancellation, air time, and non-stop distance. Use Download for individual flight data.
   Summary Tables
 
   National Transportation Statistics
 
Air Carrier Profile
General Aviation Profile
 
   Related Links
 
Air Carrier Financial Reports
Large Air Carrier Statistics
 
   Terms and Definitions
Actual Arrival TimesGate arrival time is the instance when the pilot sets the aircraft parking brake after arriving at the airport gate or passenger unloading area.  If the parking brake is not set, record the time for the opening of the passenger door.  Also, carriers using a Docking Guidance System (DGS) may record the official gate-arrival time when the aircraft is stopped at the appropriate parking mark.
Actual Departure TimesGate departure time is the instance when the pilot releases the aircraft parking brake after passengers have loaded and aircraft doors have been closed. In cases where the flight returned to the departure gate before wheels-off time and departed a second time, report the last gate departure time before wheels-off time.  In cases of an air return, report the last gate departure time before the gate return.  If passengers were boarded without the parking brake being set, record the time that the passenger door was closed.  Also, carriers using a Docking Guidance System may record the official gate-departure time based on aircraft movement.  For example, one DGS records gate departure time when the aircraft moves more than 1 meter from the appropriate parking mark within 15 seconds.  Fifteen seconds is then subtracted from the recorded time to obtain the appropriate out time.
Airline IDAn identification number assigned by US DOT to identify a unique airline (carrier). A unique airline (carrier) is defined as one holding and reporting under the same DOT certificate regardless of its Code, Name, or holding company/corporation. Use this field for analysis across a range of years.
Airport CodeA three character alpha-numeric code issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation which is the official designation of the airport. The airport code is not always unique to a specific airport because airport codes can change or can be reused.
Airport IDAn identification number assigned by US DOT to identify a unique airport. Use this field for airport analysis across a range of years because an airport can change its airport code and airport codes can be reused.
Arrival DelayArrival delay equals the difference of the actual arrival time minus the scheduled arrival time. A flight is considered on-time when it arrives less than 15 minutes after its published arrival time.
CRSComputer Reservation System. CRS provide information on airline schedules, fares and seat availability to travel agencies and allow agents to book seats and issue tickets.
Cancelled FlightA flight that was listed in a carrier's computer reservation system during the seven calendar days prior to scheduled departure but was not operated.
Carrier CodeCode assigned by IATA and commonly used to identify a carrier. As the same code may have been assigned to different carriers over time, the code is not always unique.
Certificate Of Public Convenience And NecessityA certificate issued to an air carrier under 49 U.S.C. 41102, by the Department of Transportation authorizing the carrier to engage in air transportation.
Certificated Air CarrierAn air carrier holding a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued by DOT to conduct scheduled services interstate. Nonscheduled or charter operations may also be conducted by these carriers. (same as Certified Air Carrier)
Certified Air CarrierAn air carrier holding a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued by DOT to conduct scheduled services interstate. Nonscheduled or charter operations may also be conducted by these carriers. (same as Certificated Air Carrier)
City Market IDAn identification number assigned by US DOT to identify a city market. Use this field to consolidate airports serving the same city market.
Departure DelayThe difference between the scheduled departure time and the actual departure time from the origin airport gate.
Diverted FlightA flight that is required to land at a destination other than the original scheduled destination for reasons beyond the control of the pilot/company.
Domestic OperationsAll air carrier operations having destinations within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Elapsed TimeThe time computed from gate departure time to gate arrival time.
FIPSFederal Information Processing Standards. Usually referring to a code assigned to any of a variety of geographic entities (e.g. counties, states, metropolitan areas, etc). FIPS codes are intended to simplify the collection, processing, and dissemination of data and resources of the Federal Government.
Flight NumberA one to four character alpha-numeric code for a particular flight.
In-Flight TimeThe total time an aircraft is in the air between an origin-destination airport pair, i.e. from wheels-off at the origin airport to wheels-down at the destination airport.
Late FlightA flight arriving or departing 15 minutes or more after the scheduled time.
Passenger RevenuesRevenues from the air transportation of passengers.
Scheduled Departure TimeThe scheduled time that an aircraft should lift off from the origin airport.
Scheduled Time Of ArrivalThe scheduled time that an aircraft should cross a certain point (landing or metering fix).
Taxi-In TimeThe time elapsed between wheels down and arrival at the destination airport gate.
Taxi-Out TimeThe time elapsed between departure from the origin airport gate and wheels off.
Unique CarrierUnique Carrier Code. It is the Carrier Code most recently used by a carrier. A numeric suffix is used to distinguish duplicate codes, for example, PA, PA (1), PA (2). Use this field to perform analysis of data reported by one and only one carrier.
World Area Code (WAC)Numeric codes used to identify geopolitical areas such as countries, states (U.S.), provinces (Canada), and territories or possessions of certain countries. The codes are used within the various data banks maintained by the Office of Airline Information (OAI) and are created by OAI.
 
   Data Source and Contacts
 
Data Provider AgencyOST_R/BTS
Data Provider OfficeOffice of Airline Information
BTS ContactTranStats Customer Support
Phone:(800) 853-1351
Email: answers@dot.gov