Key Takeaways
• Air India had the worst flight delays at UK airports in 2024, averaging 45 minutes and 48 seconds late.
• Gatwick-Bangalore flights experienced the longest delays—one hour and 23 minutes average across 50 departures.
• Passengers have rights to food, accommodation, and up to £520 compensation for airline-caused delays.
Air India Named Most Delayed Airline at UK Airports in 2024: What Passengers Need to Know
Air India has been named the most delayed airline for flights departing from UK airports in 2024, according to new data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) analyzed by the PA news agency. The report, which covers all scheduled and chartered departures by airlines operating more than 2,500 flights from UK airports, reveals that Air India flights left an average of 45 minutes and 48 seconds late. This finding has important implications for travelers, especially those who rely on timely departures for connecting flights, business meetings, or family events.
This article breaks down the latest findings, explains what causes these delays, and outlines what rights passengers have when their flights are delayed. It also looks at how airlines and airports are trying to improve punctuality, and what travelers can expect in the future.
Air India Tops Delay Rankings at UK Airports
The CAA’s latest punctuality report shows that Air India had the worst record for flight delays among all airlines operating from UK airports in 2024. The most affected route was from Gatwick to Bangalore, where flights were delayed by an average of one hour and 23 minutes across 50 departures. This level of delay is much higher than the overall average for all airlines, which was 18 minutes and 18 seconds.
Other airlines with high average delays included:
– Aurigny Air Services (based in Guernsey): 31 minutes and 12 seconds
– SunExpress (Turkish low-cost airline): 29 minutes and 36 seconds
– Air Portugal: 25 minutes and 12 seconds
At the other end, Emerald Airlines from Ireland had the best record, with an average delay of just 10 minutes and 30 seconds.
These figures do not include cancelled flights, which are counted separately. The data covers all airlines with more than 2,500 departures from UK airports in 2024.
Why Are Flights Delayed at UK Airports?
Flight delays can happen for many reasons. According to Air India, many of their delays were due to factors “beyond our control.” These can include:
– Bad weather, such as fog, snow, or storms
– Air traffic control restrictions
– Technical problems with aircraft
– Crew shortages or sickness
– Problems at the airport, such as long queues at security or baggage handling issues
However, some delays are within the airline’s control, such as late arrival of the aircraft, poor planning, or not having enough spare parts for repairs. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, called Air India’s performance “completely unacceptable,” pointing out that long delays can cause serious problems for passengers.
How Airlines Are Responding to Delays
Air India has said it is taking steps to improve its performance at UK airports. The airline has introduced:
– Self-check-in systems to speed up the process at the airport
– Automated baggage drop and boarding to reduce waiting times
– New Airbus A350 and upgraded B787-9 aircraft on some UK routes, which are more reliable and less likely to break down
Air India claims these changes have already led to “significant improvement” in on-time performance in the first three months of 2025, and that customer satisfaction scores have gone up.
Aviation consultant John Strickland explained that Air India has been working to improve since it was bought by Tata Group in January 2022. Before this, the airline had a poor reputation for delays and cancellations, partly because it did not have enough money to buy spare parts, which meant some planes were grounded for long periods.
Industry-Wide Trends: Are Delays Getting Better or Worse?
The good news for passengers is that, overall, delays at UK airports have improved slightly. The average delay for all airlines in 2024 was 18 minutes and 18 seconds, down from 20 minutes and 42 seconds in 2023.
Globally, there are also signs of improvement. According to Cirium’s Monthly On-Time Performance Report, there was a 24% drop in flight cancellations worldwide from March to April 2025. This was especially true in Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe, although Latin America saw a small increase in cancellations.
In Europe, data from EUROCONTROL for February 2025 shows that 36.5% of flights departed within five minutes of their scheduled time, which is slightly worse than the previous year. The number of flights delayed by more than 30 minutes increased a little, from 8.8% to 9.0%.
How Technology Is Helping Reduce Delays
Some airlines are investing heavily in technology to reduce delays and improve the passenger experience. British Airways, for example, has spent £100 million on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help manage flight operations at London Heathrow. The AI system tracks thousands of data points, including:
– Weather forecasts
– Crew schedules
– Aircraft maintenance records
British Airways says this investment has doubled its punctuality compared to 2024. This is part of a larger £7 billion upgrade to improve the airline’s overall service. However, delays are still more common than before the COVID-19 pandemic, showing that there is still work to do.
What Rights Do Passengers Have When Flights Are Delayed?
If your flight from a UK airport is delayed, you have certain rights under UK law. These include:
– Food and drink: The airline must provide a reasonable amount of food and drink if your flight is delayed by more than two hours (for short flights), three hours (for medium flights), or four hours (for long flights).
– Communication: The airline should give you a way to make phone calls or send emails.
– Accommodation: If you are delayed overnight, the airline must provide a hotel room and transport to and from the hotel.
You may also be able to claim compensation of up to £520 if the delay is the airline’s fault (for example, due to technical problems or crew sickness). The amount depends on the length of the delay and the distance of your flight.
Anna Bowles, head of consumers at the CAA, said: “We expect all airlines operating in the UK to uphold high standards of service and reliability. While the majority of airlines have made progress in reducing delays, with the average falling, delays can cause significant disruption and inconvenience to passengers.”
For more details on your rights, you can visit the official UK Civil Aviation Authority passenger rights page.
What Should You Do If Your Flight Is Delayed?
If you are affected by a flight delay at a UK airport, here are some steps you can take:
1. Ask the airline staff for information about the reason for the delay and how long it is expected to last.
2. Keep all your travel documents (boarding pass, booking confirmation, receipts for expenses).
3. Request food, drink, and communication if your delay meets the time limits.
4. Ask for accommodation if you are delayed overnight.
5. Check if you are eligible for compensation. If the delay is the airline’s fault and you arrive at your destination more than three hours late, you may be able to claim money back.
6. Submit a claim directly to the airline. If they refuse, you can escalate your complaint to the CAA or an approved dispute resolution body.
How Do Delays Affect Different Groups of Travelers?
Flight delays can have a big impact on many types of travelers:
– Business travelers may miss important meetings or lose work opportunities.
– Families can face extra stress, especially with young children or elderly relatives.
– Students might miss the start of classes or exams.
– Immigrants and visitors could miss visa appointments, connecting flights, or important family events.
For people traveling for immigration purposes, such as attending a visa interview or moving to a new country, a long delay can have serious consequences. Missing an appointment at an embassy or consulate can mean waiting weeks or months for a new slot. If you are traveling for immigration reasons, it is a good idea to:
– Book flights with plenty of time before your appointment
– Consider travel insurance that covers missed connections and delays
– Keep all paperwork and contact details for your embassy or consulate handy
How Are UK Airports and Airlines Trying to Improve?
UK airports and airlines are under pressure to improve punctuality and reduce delays. Some of the steps being taken include:
– Investing in new technology (like AI and automated check-in)
– Hiring more staff to handle busy periods
– Upgrading aircraft to newer, more reliable models
– Improving communication with passengers during delays
The CAA has also started publishing more detailed punctuality statistics for both airports and airlines since October 2024. These reports are available in different formats (PDF, CSV, XLSX) and help passengers, airlines, and regulators track performance over time.
The CAA says it checks the data carefully but cannot accept responsibility for any financial losses caused by relying on these statistics.
What Does the Future Hold for Flight Delays at UK Airports?
Looking ahead, the CAA will continue to monitor and publish punctuality data for UK airports and airlines. The first three months of 2025 already show some improvement for Air India and other carriers, according to their own reports. However, delays are still more common than before the pandemic, and some airlines continue to struggle.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, ongoing investments in technology, better planning, and stricter rules from regulators are expected to help reduce delays further. However, unpredictable events like bad weather, strikes, or technical problems can still cause problems.
Passengers should stay informed, know their rights, and plan ahead to reduce the impact of delays on their travel plans.
Key Takeaways for Passengers
- Air India had the highest average delay for flights from UK airports in 2024, with an average wait of 45 minutes and 48 seconds.
- Delays can be caused by many factors, some within the airline’s control and some outside it.
- Passengers have rights to food, drink, communication, and accommodation during long delays, and may be able to claim compensation if the delay is the airline’s fault.
- Airlines and airports are investing in new technology and better planning to reduce delays, but challenges remain.
- The CAA publishes regular punctuality statistics to help travelers make informed choices.
For the latest official statistics and guidance on flight delays at UK airports, visit the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s punctuality data page.
By staying informed and prepared, travelers can better handle the challenges of flight delays and make the most of their journeys, whether for business, family, or immigration purposes.
Learn Today
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) → UK regulatory body overseeing aviation safety, standards, and passenger rights enforcement.
Chartered flight → A flight arranged by a private group or organization rather than sold to the general public.
On-time performance → Measure of flights departing or arriving at the scheduled time, assessing airline punctuality.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) → Technology using data algorithms to improve operations, such as scheduling and punctuality in airlines.
Compensation → Monetary payment passengers may claim if flight delays are the airline’s fault under UK law.
This Article in a Nutshell
Air India topped UK airport delays in 2024, averaging 45 minutes late. Causes include weather and crew shortages. Airlines invest in tech and improved planes. Passengers gain stronger rights for long delays, including food and compensation, shaping future travel expectations amid ongoing punctuality challenges.
— By VisaVerge.com
