Frontier Airlines has had the worst on-time arrival performance so far in 2023. Just 65.41% of Frontier flights arrived on time from January through April 2023. The next-worst airlines were Hawaiian Airlines (66.39%) and Spirit Airlines (66.97%).

For the 2025 and 2026 travel cycle, Frontier Airlines and JetBlue have frequently topped the lists for the worst on-time performance in the United States. According to recent Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) data and industry reports, Frontier has struggled with a "chain reaction" effect where a single late aircraft arrival causes a cascade of delays throughout the day, often resulting in an on-time arrival rate hovering around 71%. JetBlue, despite offering premium amenities and significant legroom, historically struggles with delays due to its heavy concentration in the congested Northeast corridor (New York and Boston), where weather and air traffic control issues are more prevalent. Internationally, budget carriers like Jetstar (Australia) and several regional operators have also faced scrutiny, with some reporting on-time arrival figures as low as 60-67% in early 2026. Travelers are often advised to book early morning flights on these carriers to minimize the cumulative impact of daily operational disruptions.