**Low-cost airlines have long been associated with cramped cabins, minimal services, and rock-bottom fares. But the stereotype that budget travel inevitably leads to delays is being challenged by new data from OAG, the global leader in flight information. In May 2026, low-cost carriers operated over 760,000 arrivals worldwide, achieving an average on-time performance of 78.9% with a cancellation rate of just 0.6%. These figures demonstrate that a low-cost model does not have to mean low reliability.** **The top performers are overwhelmingly Asian, with South Korea's Jeju Air leading the global ranking at 92.2% on-time arrivals across 6,682 flights, with zero cancellations. Norwegian Air Shuttle came second at 91.4%, followed by Jiangxi Air (China), Solaseed (Japan), and Citilink (Indonesia). Only one Latin American carrier, Sky Airline (Chile), cracked the top six with 90.1%. OAG's analyst notes that Asia's dominance stems from highly structured short- and medium-haul operations that combine traffic growth with operational discipline—a lesson for any ATPL student studying network planning.** **Among the world's 20 largest low-cost operators (those with over 10,000 monthly flights, representing 80% of global budget capacity), none reached the 90% threshold. Here, Wizz Air topped the list at 87.8%, ahead of Mexico's Volaris (87.2%) and Brazil's Azul (86.0%). In Europe, Norwegian led overall, while Ryanair (78.5%) and easyJet (77.0%) hovered around the sector average. Jet2 finished 19th at 69.0% but had zero cancellations. OAG's analyst emphasizes that larger networks amplify disruptions, making robust operational planning critical—a key insight for ATC students managing congested airspace.** **For ATPL and ATC trainees, this data underscores how fleet homogeneity, rapid turnarounds, and precise scheduling—hallmarks of low-cost operations—directly affect punctuality. Understanding these dynamics helps future pilots and controllers anticipate delays, optimize slot usage, and appreciate the trade-offs between network size and reliability. The article also illustrates how regional factors like airspace congestion and infrastructure quality shape performance, offering real-world context for aviation management studies.**