Southwest Air (NYSE:LUV) once again proved why it is the most admired carrier in America. Over 83% of its flights arrived on time in August, the latest month measured by US Department of Transportation.

Northwest, probably still working through an integration with its new owner Delta (NYSE:DAL) posted the worst record for arrivals among big carriers with 74% of its flights getting where they were going. Delta did almost as poorly with a figure below 79%.

Looking across the industry at all carriers regardless of size, the on-time champion was Hawaii Air at nearly 80% followed by Alaska Air at 78%. Clearly having a base outside the Continental US is an advantage.

Comair and Atlantic Southeast had the worst records, both posting on-time arrival rates under 70%.

The large carriers with above average performances during August were Continental (NYSE:CAL) and US Air (NYSE:LCC). Posting below average numbers were United (NASDAQ:UAUA), American (NYSE:AMR), and near the bottom of the list JetBlue (NASDAQ:JBLU)

Flights between Philadelphia and Atlanta and a number of flights out of New York’s JFK had delays of nearly an hour.

Douglas A. McIntyre