Forget double-miles, free drinks and other passenger perks. If your flight doesn’t push back from the gate on time none of that much matters.

FlightStats just announced the best of the best, the airlines and airports which racked up the most enviable on-time performance numbers for 2011. Here are some of the highlights:

• Japanese carrier ANA topped arrival performance among major international airlines. A remarkable 90.18 percent of the carrier’s flights were on time.
• Alaska Airlines was the best-performing major North American airline. With 87.79 percent of its flights operating on time, this is the second year in a row that the Seattle-based carrier copped the title.
• Perhaps not coincidentally, Alaska’s prime hub, Seattle/Tacoma International won top honors for best-performing major international airport. Credit a third runway and other improvements for Sea-Tac’s 86.28 percent on-time rating. The average among North American airports is a mere 71.02 percent.
• If you’re flying around Europe you might want to consider connecting via one of Scandinavian Airlines Systems’ hubs. FlightStats named the top European airline when it comes to arrival performance. 88.22 percent of the Scandinavian carriers flights pulled up to the gate on time. It’s no surprise Oslo won top honors for departure performance among major European Airports. Its on-time number in 2011 was 87.17 percent.
• Flying around Asia? Again, ANA runs away with the highest marks – this time for arrival performance among major Asian airlines. 90.18 percent of its flights got to the gate on time. ANA does a lot of flying to, through, and from Tokyo Haneda International. HND racked up an enviable 95.05 percent on-time departure record.

These stats are more than mere numbers. Use them as a guide to plan your next trip. There are airline and airport options out there. You’ve just got to know how to exercise them.

What’s your least favorite airline and airport when it comes to getting you there on time?

Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: ChronowerX_GT)