2008 Review: The Best - and Worst - Airlines and Airports

The best part of booking travel is actually getting to your destination, but delays and detours can really put a damper on the deal. Thanks to a new report from FlightStats (www.flightstats.com), we've got the best - and worst - airlines and airports for 2008. Before booking your cheap flights and hotels for your next trip, consider these performers and play your odds.

If you're planning some Hawaii travel, you're in luck: FlightStats ranks Hawaiian as the top airline, with an 89.32 percent on-time Hawaii flight record. Also in the lead were Frontier (83.35 percent), Horizon (82.49 percent), Southwest (81.24 percent), and Mesaba (79.71 percent), a commuter/regional carrier.

The worst on-time airline for the year was Midwest, which racked up only a 65.09 percent on-time record. Three commuter/regional airlines followed—Freedom Airlines, Colgan Air, and Air Wisconsin. Respectively, their flights got to the gate on time 65.19, 67.91, and 68.32 percent of the time. Rounding out the list was American Airlines - flights on American arrived on time only 68.58 percent of the time.

If you’re searching for the best on-time airports, you’ll have to look abroad – specifically to the Far East. Travelers on flights to Tokyo landed at the top airport, Tokyo Haneda (HND), which scored an 87.39 percent on-time performance. Singapore (SIN) compiled an 83.52 percent record according to FlightStats. Tokyo Narita (NRT), Seoul Incheon (ICN), and Munich (MUC) also ranked in the top.

If you're a New Yorker, this fact likely won’t surprise you: Three of the five most delayed airports serve the Big Apple. New York LaGuardia (LGA) was worst delayed with only 61.86 percent of LGA’s flights arriving on time. Newark (EWR) was next, at 61.99 percent. London Heathrow’s (LHR) two-runway layout contributed mightily to its 63.49 percent showing. In fourth place was New York Kennedy (JFK), at 64 percent. Rounding out the list of poorest performers was Rome (FCO), which scored a paltry 64.63 percent on-time record.

©Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler

Comments

[Kelly]

How about hassle factor? I don't mind a little delay if the people are nice and TSA is organized.

I've had horrible experiences and LONG/SLOW security lines at Phoenix, AZ and Kona, HI. I think travelers should know which AIRPORTS are horrible.

Plus, I'd like to see which airlines nickel-and-dime you the most. I recently flew United. You want food? Extra $9. Leg room? $60.

And since 9/11, the only way to ensure your bags actually make it on the plane smoothly is to check in via SkyCap. Extra $10 easy.

So that "cheap ticket" can end up costing a lot more in the long run.