Virgin Australia on-time performance results is off to a flying start in 2026 with the highest punctuality and lowest cancellation rate among other major Australian airlines in January.
Virgin Australia outperformed other major domestic carriers in January 2026 with an on-time performance (OTP) of 82.7 per cent and a completion rate of almost 100 per cent (99.1%) with fewer than one per cent of scheduled domestic flights cancelled.
The latest Bureau of Infrastructure & Transport Research Economics (BITRE) monthly report showed OTP across all domestic routes in January 2026 averaged 78.4 per cent for on-time arrivals and 78.9 per cent for on-time departures, both lower than the long-term average.
The average monthly cancellation rate was 2.1 per cent, the same result as January 2025.
Over the past 12 months, Virgin Australia on-time performance has achieved an average completion rate of 98.3 per cent and an average departure OTP of 77.6 per cent for its scheduled domestic flights.
After achieving the highest average completion rate among major Australian airlines in 2025, Virgin Australia CEO Dave Emerson said the carrier maintained its reliability during the busy summer peak, reflecting the airline’s operational focus and teamwork.
“Leading the major Australian airlines in January with the highest departure on-time performance and the lowest cancellations is a testament to the efforts of our people across the entire operation,” he said.
“We know how important it is to get our guests to their destination on their desired day of travel, and with fewer than one per cent of scheduled domestic flights cancelled during one of our busiest months, our results show we are consistently delivering on that commitment.”
Where do the other Aussie airlines rank?
Among major carriers, QantasLink recorded the highest cancellation rate at 3.3 per cent, while Virgin Australia Regional Airlines reported just 0.6 per cent in January 2026.
Across all Australian airlines, Hinterland achieved the highest on-time arrivals at 87.9 per cent and the highest on-time departures at 91.9 per cent.
Route performance also varied. The Canberra–Adelaide service recorded the highest percentage of on-time arrivals (94.7 per cent) and on-time departures (92.0 per cent) in January.
What’s happening in Hammo?
Performance challenges were still most evident on Hamilton Island services. The Hamilton Island-Sydney route had the lowest percentage of on-time arrivals (51.4%) and the lowest percentage of on-time departures (51.4%) in January 2026.
Cancellations were highest on the Hamilton Island-Brisbane route at nine per cent followed by the Brisbane-Hamilton Island route (7.8%) and Hamilton Island-Sydney and Sydney-Hamilton Island routes (both at 5.1%).
Hamilton Island Airport had the lowest percentage of on-time departures (66.9%) in January.
Read the full report here.
KARRYON UNPACKS: For travel agents, strong Virgin Australia on-time performance results can assist when advising corporate and leisure clients, particularly during peak periods when schedule certainty drives confidence and repeat business.
