SAS named Europe’s most punctual airline again - marking 11 top rankings in two years

SAS has been named Europe’s most punctual airline for August 2026, achieving an on-time arrival rate of 87 percent in Cirium’s monthly On-Time Performance report. The result, secured by a significant margin, marks SAS’ 11th number one ranking across European and global Cirium rankings over the past two years as the airline celebrates its 80th anniversary year.

August performance reinforces a strong and sustained operational track record, with SAS securing seven top rankings in Europe and four global number-one placements across 2025 and 2026.

"Being named Europe’s most punctual airline once again is important because punctuality is one of the clearest ways we deliver value to our customers. Whether they are travelling for business, connecting to another flight, or heading home to their families, our customers rely on us to get them there on time. This result reflects the dedication of colleagues across SAS and our continued focus on making travel as smooth, reliable, and predictable as possible," says Paul Verhagen, Chief Commercial Officer at SAS.

A strong summer performance built on reliability

August is typically one of the busiest months for European air travel, with high passenger volumes, crowded airspace, and demanding operational conditions across major hubs. Despite these seasonal pressures, SAS delivered a stable and predictable performance across its network.

The top placement in August builds on SAS’ continued focus on strengthening punctuality and the overall customer experience. Through improved turnaround processes, structured daily planning, and close cross-functional coordination, the airline continues to make travel more reliable and predictable for its customers.

As SAS marks eight decades of connecting Scandinavia with the world, the airline remains committed to delivering a dependable, high-quality travel experience for its customers.

Cirium is the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics. The company delivers data and analytical solutions to help airlines, airports, travel companies, and financial institutions make informed decisions and optimize their operations. Cirium’s On-Time Performance (OTP) program is considered the global gold standard for measuring operational reliability across the aviation industry.

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SAS Press Office: +46 8 797 2944

SAS, Scandinavia's leading airline since 1946, operates a global hub at Copenhagen Airport (CPH), complemented by hubs in Oslo (OSL) and Stockholm (ARN).

Our mission is to connect Scandinavia with the world and the world with Scandinavia. Each year, SAS serves more than 25 million passengers and transports 55,000 tons of cargo to 135 destinations across Europe, the USA, and Asia. With a relentless focus on operational excellence, SAS ranks as one of the most punctual airlines in Europe and the world. Together with a passionate workforce of over 10,000 colleagues, we collaborate with partners and customers to drive transformative changes in aviation. We are committed to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions from our flight operations in line with international aviation climate frameworks, embodying the visionary spirit of our founders: “To move from the old to what is about to come, is the only tradition worth keeping.” 

SAS joined SkyTeam in September 2024, and together with our partner airlines, we offer a wide network worldwide.

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