The on-time flight performance has improved for the nation’s airlines in May compared to the same period last year, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Transportation released Monday.

The latest figures showed the average on-time arrival rate for the 19 largest U.S. carriers was 79 percent in this past May, higher than both May 2007’s 77.9 percent and April 2008’s 77.7 percent.

Hawaiian Airlines recorded the best performance in May at 88.9 percent, while American Airlines had the industry’s worst on-time arrival rate at 67.3 percent.

On-time arrival rates

Best

1. Hawaiian Airlines – 88.9 percent
2. Pinnacle Airlines – 85.9 percent
3. AirTran Airways – 84.7 percent

Worst

1. American Airlines – 67.3 percent
2. United Airlines – 72.4 percent
3. Continental Airlines – 75.4 percent

Most Frequently Delayed Flights

1. Southwest Airlines flight 2709 from Houston to San Diego – late 100 percent of the time
2. Northwest Airlines flight 851 from Detroit to Anchorage – late 94.12 percent of the time
3. SkyWest Airlines flight 2718 from Muskegon to Flint – late 91.67 percent of the time

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics