DOT Report Reveals Which US Airlines Kept Flights on Schedule This Summer

The exhausting experience of a canceled flight remains a major passenger pain point. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) sheds light on which major US airlines performed best during the busy summer 2025 travel season. The DOT's latest Air Travel Consumer Report details the US airline flight cancellations across the industry.

Overall, the national flight cancellation rates showed improvement. The August 2025 cancellation rate for all U.S. carriers was 1.0 percent. This is a notable drop from the 2.0 percent rate recorded in August 2024. September 2025 also saw a low rate of 0.5 percent. This trend signals better airline operational performance compared to the previous year.

Top Performers: The Most Reliable Airlines

Travelers seeking the lowest risk of cancellation should note the top-performing carriers. These airlines demonstrated exceptional consistency in their schedules.

• Allegiant Air recorded the lowest rates in both August and September 2025.
• The carrier posted a mere 0.1 percent cancellation rate in August.
• Allegiant then achieved a near-perfect 0.0 percent rate in September.
• Hawaiian Airlines followed closely, maintaining a low 0.2 percent rate for both months.
• Southwest Airlines also showed strong performance. Their cancellation rates were 0.4 percent in August and 0.2 percent in September.

Highest Cancellation Rates Among Major US Carriers

Conversely, some major US carriers struggled to maintain their schedules. Passengers on these airlines faced a higher chance of disruption.

• The American Airlines network reported the highest cancellation rate in August at 1.8 percent.
• This network rate dropped to 1.0 percent in September, still ranking highest for the month.
• Frontier Airlines had the second-highest rate in August at 1.6 percent.
• United Airlines network followed with a 1.2 percent cancellation rate in August.
• In September, Spirit Airlines and the Alaska Airlines network also saw higher rates at 0.9 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively.

Industry Context and Passenger Impact

These figures are critical for both the industry and consumers. They highlight the ongoing challenges of maintaining complex flight schedules. Factors like severe weather and staffing issues continue to influence airline operational performance. The DOT data only includes flights canceled seven days or less before departure. This means the reported flight cancellation rates do not account for earlier schedule adjustments.

Regulators like the FAA continue to monitor these metrics. They push for improved passenger protection standards across the industry. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) views operational reliability as key to rebuilding passenger confidence. Airlines with lower cancellation rates demonstrate better resource management. This performance is a strong indicator of a carrier's overall stability. For more commercial aviation news and analysis, visit https://flying.flights.

Airlines must clearly inform passengers of their rights during disruptions. This includes offering refunds or rebooking for cancellations caused by the airline. The DOT's focus on transparency helps travelers make informed booking decisions.