AIRLINES are extending flight times to ensure they arrive promptly and reduce the amount of delay compensation, it has been claimed.

Consumer magazine Which? says 20-plus minutes are often added to schedules despite improved aircraft technology, meaning planes should be more punctual.

A probe into 125 routes revealed six out of every ten flights now take longer than they did a decade ago.

Which? names British Airways, easyJet, Virgin and Ryanair among the guilty parties giving themselves “a pat on the back for being on time”.

Passengers can claim more than £500 for flights delayed by more than three hours in many circumstances.

Which? accused airlines of pulling the wool over passenger eyes.

However, airlines have hit back by blaming congested skies and air traffic controllers holding planes before take-offs and landings. Other reasons cited include aircraft flying slower to save fuel and reduce fares and longer routes around dangerous countries.

BA said “a wide range of factors” were the cause while Virgin suggested stronger air streams.

EasyJet insisted: “We will always pay compensation when it is due.”