on-time departure

Meaning

An on-time departure refers to a flight, train, or bus leaving exactly at its scheduled time without any delays. Airlines track their on-time departure rates as a key measure of operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Examples

• The airline prides itself on maintaining a ninety percent rate of on-time departure.

  The airline prides itself on maintaining a ninety percent rate of on-time departure.

• To ensure an on-time departure, passengers must be at the gate thirty minutes before takeoff.

  To ensure an on-time departure, passengers must be at the gate thirty minutes before takeoff.

• The captain announced that weather conditions were perfect for an on-time departure.

  The captain announced that weather conditions were perfect for an on-time departure.

• Despite the heavy morning fog, the airport managed to keep an on-time departure schedule.

  Despite the heavy morning fog, the airport managed to keep an on-time departure schedule.

• Boarding the plane quickly is crucial if we want to achieve an on-time departure today.

  Boarding the plane quickly is crucial if we want to achieve an on-time departure today.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We had an in-time departure.

  ✓ We had an on-time departure.

  'In time' means early enough to avoid missing something, but scheduled transport events use 'on-time' to mean exactly at the planned hour.

• ✗ The flight made an on-time depart.

  ✓ The flight had an on-time departure.

  'Depart' is a verb. The noun form 'departure' must be used with the adjective 'on-time'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The gate agents worked quickly to guarantee an ___ for the transatlantic flight.

  💡 Leaving exactly when scheduled

  Show answer

  on-time departure

• Frequent delays can severely damage an airline's reputation for ___.

  💡 Leaving on schedule

  Show answer

  on-time departure