Delta Air Lines is banking on continuing improvement in on-time performance, by offering to compensate corporate customers if punctuality falls behind that of main rivals American and United Airlines.
The carrier is touting a new program that would give travel credits to corporate accounts if American and United beat its on-time arrival and flight completion rates.
"We’ve been focused on relentless operational success, because any carrier could replicate anything we do, whether it be seats or food or Sky Clubs, but they can’t replicate our performance," said Bob Somers, vice present of global sales.
According to US Department of Transportation data Delta has moved up the rankings from 15th most punctual in 2010 to third now, behind only Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines.
If both American and United better Delta’s on-time rates over a full year, Delta would issue travel credits of between $1,000 and $250,000 to contracted corporate clients.
However there are a number of caveats.
It does not cover international or regional flights and Delta will only pay out if both American and United surpass its on-time rates for a full 12-month period – something United will struggle to achieve given its current on-time performance record.
