Aloha Airlines was the nation's top on-time airline in November, breaking Hawaiian Airlines' three-year string as the industry's top on-time carrier.

In a report released yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation said 93.2 percent of Aloha's planes were on time in November. Hawaiian had the second-best record among the 20 major U.S. carriers, with an on-time record of 90.9 percent.

Aloha Airlines also had the fewest complaints and misplaced baggage reports among the nation's largest carriers, the Transportation Department said.

Hawaiian, the state's largest airline, had been the nation's most punctual airline for a record 36 consecutive months dating to November 2003.

"This is a sweet victory for Aloha because Hawaiian Airlines set such a high bar and kept it high for so long," said David Banmiller, Aloha's chief executive officer.

Aloha previously earned top honors for punctuality in each of the last three months of 2000, said company spokesman Stu Glauberman. The carrier stopped reporting in 2001 but resumed the practice in April 2006.

Aloha said it had the industry's second best on-time record in October behind Hawaiian.

According to the Transportation Department, a flight is considered on time if it lands within 15 minutes of its scheduled arrival time.

"Our congratulations go out to Aloha for earning the top spot for punctuality in November," said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's chief executive officer.

"I'm sure our employees will vigorously respond to this challenge and do all they can to put Hawaiian atop the DOT's punctuality rankings again soon."

Mesa Air Group, parent of interisland carrier go!, ranked ninth in punctuality with a 76.8 percent on-time record in November. Mesa's results do not break out go!'s on-time record.

When go! opened for business in Hawai'i on June 9, it touched off a price war, with one-way fares starting at $39. Since then, go! has offered $29 and $19 one-way fares for limited periods. Those discounts were immediately matched by Aloha and Hawaiian.

Reach Rick Daysog at rdaysog@honoluluadvertiser.com.