I've always thought it comes down to some sort of innate arrogance or indifference to the inconvenience of others. No offence meant to those who are chronically late, but I find it intolerable to deal with someone who can't see a trend and adjust it in themselves.

I work with a woman who is habitually late and makes a whole team of people wait for 15 minutes a day for her arrival. She doesn't even make excuses anymore, but her indifference has made people dislike her intensely despite the fact that she's actually quite a nice person.