PAL remains among most punctual airline in Asia-Pacific

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February 17, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) opened the year by keeping its run as one of the most punctual in Asia-Pacific, backed by a customer-focused service and an expanding fleet.

According to Cirium’s On-Time Performance Monthly Report, PAL posted a punctuality rate of 82.02 percent in January to land as the fourth most prompt airline in the region.

PAL is putting up a masterclass in bringing passengers to their destination on time, allowing it to win the title as the most punctual in the region in 2025.

In January, Cirium monitored 99.93 percent of PAL’s 10,956 flights, of which 98.91 percent were completed as scheduled. PAL is expected to keep completion rates high, as its fleet expands with the arrival of new aircraft from Airbus.

Cirium named Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines as the most on-time carrier in Asia-Pacific in January. Hainan Airlines led regional rivals by turning in a punctuality rate of 86.84 percent.

Singapore Airlines, one of the world’s finest carriers, came second with 84.14 percent, while Air New Zealand ended up third with 82.16 percent.

Virgin Australia took fifth with 81.95 percent, followed by Korean Air, Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines with 79.67 percent, 78.72 percent and 78.47 percent, respectively.

Qantas landed in ninth with 77.94 percent, while All Nippon Airways rounded up the list of most punctual carriers in the region with 77.47 percent.

Cirium said flight cancellations in Asia-Pacific fell to 19,176 in January, from 23,675 in December 2025. Elsewhere, passengers suffered from travel inconvenience, with North America registering a 139-percent increase in flight cancellations.

Cirium measures an airline’s punctuality based on how early flights arrive at designated gates. A flight is deemed on time if it arrives ahead of schedule by at least 15 minutes, giving guests more flexibility and minimizing disruption to flight timetables.

PAL is scheduled to receive five more Airbus A350-1000s this year, starting in May, expanding its fleet for transPacific flights, particularly to North America, its strongest market.

Likewise, the airline is undertaking a fleet refurbishment program to improve the capabilities and services of its 18 A321s, a project that aims to enhance passenger comfort.