DALLAS (AP) — Spirit Airlines tops the latest ratings for on-time flights, a stunning turnaround for a discount carrier that consistently ranked as the tardiest airline in America three years ago.
The Transportation Department said Friday that 89 percent of Spirit's flights in October arrived on time, putting Spirit just ahead of frequent winner Hawaiian Airlines and Delta.
It's the first time the Miramar, Florida-based carrier has topped the rankings. It finished second in November 2017.
Spirit had the worst on-time performance every month but one between May 2015 and May 2016. Since then, Spirit has added room in its schedule, reduced red-eye flights and increased the number of pilots who can be called in on short notice.
The government counts a flight on time if it arrives within 14 minutes of schedule.