Quick Facts
- Type
- Operational Metric
- Definition
- The percentage of flights arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled arriv...
- Used By
- Airlines, Regulators
Definition#
On-time performance (OTP) is the percentage of flights that arrive at the gate within 15 minutes of the published schedule (the DOT standard in the U.S.). It is tracked for airlines and airports.
Why It Matters Operationally#
OTP affects customer satisfaction, DOT rankings, connecting passenger success, and crew legality. Delays cascade through hub operations and can trigger contractual penalties in codeshare agreements.