In 2024, Air India was identified as the UK’s most tardy airline, with its flights typically taking off about 46 minutes behind schedule on average.
The details provided originate from a study carried out by the PA news agency based on data obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The study showed that the route from Gatwick to Bangalore experienced the longest delays, with an average hold-up time exceeding 80 minutes for all 50 outbound trips.
Rory Boland, who serves as the editor of the consumer magazine Which?
Travel
, described
Air India
performance was deemed “entirely unsatisfactory”.
The airline stated that the disturbance was mainly because of elements outside our control.
Guernsey
Aurigny Air Services ranked second-to-last for UK departure punctuality last year, with flights delayed by an average of 31 minutes and 12 seconds.
It was followed by
Turkish
budget-friendly leisure carrier SunExpress (29 minutes and 36 seconds) along with Air Portugal (25 minutes and 12 seconds).
Irish
Carrier Emerald Airlines had the strongest showing last year, with flights from the UK experiencing delays averaging only 10 minutes and 30 seconds.
This assessment factored in all planned and contracted takeoffs from United Kingdom airfields by carriers that managed over 2,500 such trips the previous year. Flights that were cancelled did not form part of this study.
The typical delay across all these airlines amounted to 18 minutes and 18 seconds, which is a reduction from 20 minutes and 42 seconds recorded in 2023.
In January 2022, Tata Group took over Air India from the Indian government following significant financial losses amounting to billions of pounds.
The airline’s activities in the UK are currently
Birmingham
,
Gatwick
and
Heathrow
, featuring pathways to several Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
According to data provided by aviation analytics firm Cirium, the airline increased its flight operations from UK airports by 56 percent last year when compared to figures from 2019.
It is expected to reach 90 percent this year following the boost in flight frequencies on multiple routes in March.
John Strickland, an aviation consultant, noted that significant efforts have been made to get the airline back on course following its “poor reputation” due to frequent delays and cancellations.
This issue partially arose due to insufficient funding for buying replacement components for planes, resulting in part of its airfleet being out of service.
Mr Strickland stated, “Following their phase of stagnation before the Tata acquisition, they now must focus on improving their engineering capabilities, managing staff effectively, and maintaining an adequate inventory of spare parts.”
He mentioned that part of Air India’s promotion for its new Airbus A350 first-class offering highlights the excellence of its service.
He observed, “While excellent dining experiences and a superb team are important, ultimately, running an airline requires maintaining impeccable punctuality and reliability.”
“Definitely still a work in progress for them.”
Boland stated: “The recent delays won’t be surprising news for travelers, who often end up paying exorbitant prices for flights only to receive an inconsistent service.”
“Air India had an average delay of 45 minutes. This is completely unacceptable.
It’s time for airlines to step up and begin providing the level of service their customers are paying for.
An Air India representative stated: “Throughout 2024, the airline’s services between the UK and India faced sporadic delays, largely attributed to circumstances outside of our management.”
“Proactive operational initiatives like self-check-in, baggage drop and automated boarding process have ensured smoother airport touchpoint experience and faster turnaround of aircraft, boosting on-time departures.
The introduction of the new Airbus A350 and improved B787-9 planes on certain UK routes has significantly boosted the reliability of our flight schedules.
During the initial quarter of 2025, Air India experienced notable enhancement in punctuality for our direct routes from the UK to India. This positive trend is mirrored in higher NPS ratings, indicating improved customer satisfaction.
Based on the distance of the journey and how late their flight is delayed, travelers with tickets for flights departing from UK airports have the right to receive support like an appropriate quantity of meals and drinks, access to communication tools, and lodging options if needed overnight.
Travelers might also have the option to seek compensation amounting to as much as £520 from the airline if the cause of the delay is considered to be under its control, such as an issue with the plane or illness of the flight crew.
The CAA’s consumer chief, Anna Bowles, stated: “We insist that all airlines operating within the UK maintain superior levels of service and dependability.”
Although most airlines have improved their performance in cutting down delays, resulting in an overall decrease in wait times, these hold-ups can still lead to considerable disruptions and discomfort for travelers.
Delays happen due to various factors, and we strongly believe that airlines should reduce their effects by offering prompt updates and respecting passengers’ rights whenever necessary.
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