Conventional airlines recorded in the first half of 2026 a punctuality slightly higher than that of 'low cost' companies. According to a study by AirHelp, the former achieved a rate of 66.1%, compared to the 65.6% noted by low-cost operators.
This difference of only 0.5 percentage points reflects that the on-time performance of both types of airlines is very similar and calls into question the widespread idea that choosing a 'low cost' company necessarily means more delays.
The report compares the data of four major low-cost airlines operating in Spain -Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, and Wizz Air- with those of four traditional companies -Iberia, Air Europa, Lufthansa, and British Airways-.
During the studied period, the analyzed 'low cost' companies transported more than 32 million passengers, approximately double the 15.6 million who flew with the traditional airlines included in the report.
The differences widen when observing incidents eligible for economic compensation. Among the examined low-cost airlines, around 117,000 travelers were entitled to compensation, compared to the 196,000 affected passengers in the case of traditional companies.
"More and more travelers compare not only the ticket price but also the reliability of the airline. Knowing the punctuality history can help make a more informed decision before booking a flight," explained Egoitz Larrea, Digital Marketing Director of AirHelp.
The company reminds that the ticket price does not alter the rights of passengers. Travelers may be entitled to compensation of up to 600 euros in case of delays exceeding three hours at the destination, cancellations, or denied boarding attributable to the airline, provided that the conditions established in Regulation CE261/2004 are met.
AirHelp recommends evaluating, in addition to price and routes, the operational history of each airline and knowing in advance the rights of the passenger before flying.