Exceeding high-luminosity LHC performance targets during the 2024 Pb-Pb ion run

We review the 2024 Pb-Pb ion run at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), in terms of the operational experience, the problems encountered and the main results. This run was the second heavy-ion physics period of LHC Run 3 at 6.8 Z TeV. With only 18 days scheduled for physics data-taking, the key objective was to address the problems encountered in the 2023 Pb-Pb run and establish stable and efficient operation. Thanks to several mitigation measures, the 2023 limitations were overcome, significantly improving the machine availability. Together with substantially higher intensity, thanks to the excellent performance of the Pb ion injectors, this paved the way for a record-high performance in terms of average daily integrated luminosity with ion beams at the LHC.