Q. Is there any way to find out an airline's on-time performance?  —Craig G.

A. Why yes David, there is. Thanks to the magic of the Internet and a government agency that believes online access is a good thing, you now have 24/7 access to airline on-time performance statistics.

Before you yawn, hear me out. (You'll thank me later.) The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) has dreamed up a really great travel resource: TranStats where you can select on-time performance by year, airport, and airline based on departure or arrival parameters.

And if that's not exciting enough for you, the data is graphically enhanced. Who doesn't love a bar graph? Seriously, check it out the next time you want to know which airline has the best on-time record from your home airport. Or what the on-time record was for your favorite (or least favorite) carrier. Or how many flights were cancelled or diverted by airline or airport. (I better take a moment to breathe.)

Check out TranStats to find out who is late when and where or the BTS homepage, which is the epicenter of all travel statistics.

And by the way, the Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) is also available for on-time performance records, but it is not nearly as flashy or interactive as the Bureaus of Travel Statistics (BTS) site.

It's more Mayberry than Manhattan, and really better suited for those who carry patience and a fine-tooth comb. It does cover a broader range of topics, though.
Air Travel Consumer Reports.

Have a question for Tom?
Tom Conway, who thinks some airlines think on-time means same-day, looks forward to your questions, comments.