Punctuality beats price for Indian flyers

• Indian travellers now prioritise flight punctuality over low prices
• IndiGo led May 2026 OTP at 82.8% while Delhi and Mumbai lagged
• Flyers can use DGCA data and early morning flights to avoid delays

That sinking feeling of a delayed or cancelled flight is becoming an all-too-common part of travel. For a growing number of Indian flyers, the once-dominant hunt for the cheapest ticket is giving way to a new, more urgent priority: reliability.

The New Non-Negotiable: Punctuality Over Price

Not long ago, the primary filter for booking a flight was price. Today, a different metric is gaining ground: On-Time Performance (OTP). For both business and leisure travellers, the cost of a delay—missed connections, lost hotel nights, ruined plans—is starting to outweigh the savings from a cheap ticket. This shift is clear in booking behaviour, where travellers are increasingly willing to pay a premium for airlines and routes with a proven track record of punctuality. According to industry data, a significant number of business travellers in 2025 were already filtering for airlines with an OTP of above 78%. Trust in an airline's ability to deliver you to your destination as scheduled is becoming a valuable commodity.

Why Are Flights So Unreliable Right Now?

The current wave of disruptions is not just bad luck; it's a systemic issue. Indian aviation is facing a perfect storm of challenges. Airlines are grappling with crew shortages, especially for pilots, a problem made worse by new regulations designed to prevent fatigue. Geopolitical instability in regions like West Asia has forced longer, more expensive flight paths for international routes, while volatile fuel prices squeeze airline budgets, leading to 'network rationalisation'—a term for proactively cutting flights to maintain stability. On the ground, major airports like Delhi and Mumbai are struggling with congestion, which has a cascading effect across the entire country's flight network. Seasonal challenges like monsoon rains and winter fog further strain an already stressed system.

Decoding the Data: Who Can You Trust?

Thanks to India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), travellers now have access to monthly OTP reports for major airlines and airports. This data reveals a clear hierarchy of reliability. For May 2026, IndiGo led the pack with an OTP of 82.8%, followed by Akasa Air at 78.3%. The Air India Group registered a 74.5% OTP, while SpiceJet lagged significantly. Airport performance also varies dramatically. In the same period, Chennai emerged as the most punctual major airport with a 92.2% OTP, while two of the busiest hubs, Delhi (72.6%) and Mumbai (70.5%), were at the bottom of the top ten list. These numbers empower flyers to make informed choices beyond brand loyalty or price.

Your Guide to Flying Smarter

While you can't control air traffic or airline scheduling, you can adopt strategies to minimise disruption. Before booking, consult the latest DGCA reports to compare airline OTP on your intended route. Booking the first flight of the day is a classic tactic, as these are less susceptible to the cascading delays that build up. Choosing airports with better punctuality records, like Chennai or Hyderabad, over more congested ones can also help. On the day of travel, check your flight status before leaving for the airport. For a smoother airport experience, use services like web check-in and DigiYatra, which can significantly cut down queue times at security and boarding.