Researchers discover that Delta Air Lines is statistically the best US carrier

Delta Air Lines ranks first in a long survey that ranks US airlines by the frequency with which flights arrive at the time and other statistical measures.

Researchers who figure the figures also say that overall, US airlines are better able to handle baggage and overcrowded flights and receive fewer complaints.

Academics from the Wichita State University and the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have published their annual study, which is now in its 29th year on Monday. They used the 2018 data collected by the United States Department of Transportation on arrival rates at the scheduled time, misdirected baggage, stranded pbadengers and consumer complaints.

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Delta was the only carrier to progress in all four categories, the researchers said. He moved from second place last year.

JetBlue Airways is ranked second, followed by Southwest Airlines and last year 's winner, Alaska Airlines.

The discount carrier Frontier Airlines is ranked last, just behind American Airlines.

Overall, the industry improved in three of the four categories of the study, including fewer pbadengers who were forced to leave a flight. For several years, airlines have been reducing this rate by encouraging more customers to take checks or other compensation in exchange for their willingness to free themselves from oversold flights.

"They buy their customers better than ever," said one of the leading researchers, Brent Bowen, of Embry-Riddle.

The rate of late flights has however increased compared to 2017. "It was a computer problem and it was bad weather," Bowen said.

There are many air pbadenger surveys and reviews that sometimes lead to different outcomes, perhaps capturing intangible badets such as customer service.

Last week, the TripAdvisor travel site named its top 10 airlines in the world and Southwest was the only US carrier to make the cut, finishing sixth. Middle East and Asian airlines dominate the list, headed by Singapore Airlines.

DOSSIER – In this photo from August 8, 2017, a Delta Air Lines jet aircraft is waiting on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport in New York. Delta is leading an annual survey that ranks US airlines based on time arrivals, complaint rates and other statistical measures. Researchers who figure the figures say that US airlines are improving overall. (AP Photo / Mary Altaffer, File)

AP