Tui among worst airlines for flight delays in the UK

Flights departing UK airports with the carrier were delayed by an average of 20 minutes and 24 seconds in 2025, according to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data.

Its Birmingham to Zante service recorded the highest average delay for a Tui route.

The figures were analysed by the Press Association.

Worst airlines for flight delays revealed

Rory Boland, editor of 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.”

Tui Airways, owned by Tui Group, serves more than 20 UK airports and is closely linked to the group’s package holiday business.

The data covered all scheduled and chartered UK flight departures by the 34 airlines operating more than 2,500 flights last year, excluding cancelled flights.

Aage Dunhaupt, director of communications for Tui Group, 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.”

Mr Dunhaupt said the airline chooses to operate delayed flights rather than cancel them, preferring that customers reach their destinations even if late.

He said: “If we were to follow broader industry practices of cancelling flights more readily, our punctuality ranking would improve significantly.

“However, this would come at the expense of our customers.”

Tui Airways was the fifth worst-performing airline for punctuality in the analysis.

Topping the list for delays was Air India, with an average hold-up of 36 minutes and 36 seconds, making it the least punctual carrier for the second year running.

Other airlines with poor records included Blue Islands (25 minutes and 12 seconds), TAP Air Portugal (23 minutes), and Saudia (21 minutes and 18 seconds).

Scandinavian Airlines was the most punctual, with UK departures delayed by just eight minutes on average.

Virgin Atlantic followed with an average delay of 11 minutes.

Overall, the average delay across the airlines surveyed was 14 minutes and 48 seconds, an improvement from 18 minutes and 18 seconds in 2024.

CAA director Tim Johnson said: “can cause significant disruption and inconvenience for passengers.”

“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.”

Depending on the distance of the route and length of delay, passengers delayed on departing flights are entitled to assistance, such as a reasonable amount of food and drink, a means to communicate, and overnight accommodation if required.

Compensation of up to £520 may also be claimed if the delay was within the airline’s control, such as a fault with the aircraft or pilot sickness.

Airlines UK, the trade body for UK carriers, emphasised that most flights depart on time.

Recommended Reading

A spokesperson 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.”

Which airlines do you like the most? Let us know in the comments.