The average delay for airlines included in the analysis was 14 minutes and 48 seconds09:42, 22 Jun 2026Updated 09:42, 22 Jun 2026The worst airlines and routes for flight delays have been revealed with passengers being urged to check their compensation rights.‌Tui Airways was one of the worst offenders for UK flight punctuality, with an average delay of 20 minutes and 24 seconds.‌The least punctual of its routes with at least 100 flights was from Birmingham to the Greek island of Zante, which had an average delay of 46 minutes.‌Tui Airways, which is owned by Tui Group, was ranked the fifth worst airline for delays in 2025, according to analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data.Air India had the poorest record for the second year in a row, with an average delay of 36 minutes and 36 seconds.‌It was followed by Blue Islands (25 minutes and 12 seconds), TAP Air Portugal (23 minutes) and Saudia (21 minutes and 18 seconds).Scandinavian Airlines had the best performance last year, with UK departures delayed by an average of eight minutes, ahead of Virgin Atlantic (11 minutes).The average delay for airlines included in the analysis was 14 minutes and 48 seconds, down from 18 minutes and 18 seconds in 2024.‌You are entitled to free food, drinks, and hotel accommodation during significant flight delays or cancellations.The exact help you should receive depends on how long your delay is and the length of your scheduled flight.Flights have to be delayed by at least two hours for flights under 1,500km for you to receive extra care, at least three hours for flights between 1,500km and 3,500km and at least four hours for flights over 3,500km.‌Passengers may also be able to claim compensation of up to £520 from the airline if the reason for the delay is deemed within its control. Again, it depends how long your delay was for and the length of your flight.The analysis took into account all scheduled and chartered departures from UK airports by airlines operating more than 2,500 of these flights last year.Rory Boland, editor of consumer magazine Which? Travel, said: “Airlines must do more to support travellers during delays, including clearly communicating their rights and eligibility for compensation.‌“It’s worth putting in a claim with your airline if you think it’s responsible – and escalating the complaint if it refuses to pay.”Aage Dunhaupt, Tui Group’s director of communications, said: “We fully understand that for holidaymakers, every minute counts.“Minimising delays remains a top priority, and our teams work continuously to improve operational performance across our network.”‌CAA director Tim Johnson said: “We recognise the impact this can have, which is why there are rules in place to protect passengers.“Airlines are expected to minimise the impact of delays where possible, by providing timely information and upholding passengers’ rights during disruption.”A spokesperson for Airlines UK, a trade body for UK-registered carriers, said: “The vast majority of UK airline flights depart on time and CAA data shows customer satisfaction levels are at an all-time high.‌“Most delays are the result of issues that are entirely outside airline control, such as adverse weather, forced reductions in the number of planes that are able to land and take off each hour, and industrial action.“When these delays do occur, airlines work hard to support customers and get them where they need to be as quickly as possible.”Full list of worst airlines for flight delaysAirlines are ordered from the longest average delay per departing flight to the shortest.Article continues belowAir India (36 minutes and 36 seconds)Blue Islands (25 minutes and 12 seconds)TAP Air Portugal (23 minutes)Saudia (21 minutes and 18 seconds)Tui Airways (20 minutes and 24 seconds)SunExpress (20 minutes and 12 seconds)Aurigny (19 minutes and 36 seconds)Pegasus Airlines (18 minutes and 36 seconds)Swiss (17 minutes and 54 seconds)KLM (17 minutes and 48 seconds)Air France (17 minutes)Vueling (16 minutes and 54 seconds)Jet2.com (16 minutes and 36 seconds)Wizz Air (16 minutes and 12 seconds)Ryanair (15 minutes and 48 seconds)Aer Lingus (15 minutes and 30 seconds)Qatar (14 minutes and 54 seconds)American Airlines (14 minutes and 42 seconds)Eurowings (14 minutes and 36 seconds)Delta Airlines (14 minutes and 36 seconds)Emerald Airlines (13 minutes and 54 seconds)United Airlines (13 minutes and 54 seconds)EasyJet (13 minutes and 48 seconds)Turkish Airlines (13 minutes and 24 seconds)Lufthansa (13 minutes and 12 seconds)Emirates (13 minutes and six seconds)British Airways (12 minutes and 36 seconds)Finnair (12 minutes and 18 seconds)Loganair (12 minutes and 18 seconds)Norwegian (11 minutes and 48 seconds)Iberia (11 minutes and 36 seconds)Air Canada (11 minutes and 36 seconds)Virgin Atlantic (11 minutes)Scandinavian Airlines (eight minutes)