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It’s easy to forget that what we value in flying isn’t just a fair price on a ticket. Four hour delays, involuntary bumpings, lost bags—all can outweigh that bargain $99 round trip. So wily fare comparison experts Airfarewatchdog’s annual ranking of domestic airlines is especially welcome. Its number-crazy researchers crunch various data sets to produce its own rankings, with overall performance ratings calculated by combining fewest canceled flights and mishandled bags with on-time arrival stats and the minimum denied boardings.
This year’s surprising winner? Delta, which also nabs most improved, having swooped up the scale from 6th in 2013 to take the top spot now. It’s even more impressive given that Virgin America and Alaska, respective silver and bronze medalists on the table, operate radically smaller schedules so face fewer logistical challenges. Comparable rivals American and United? They touch down last.
You can check out the full results at Airfarewatchdog. The data doesn’t quite jibe with Condé Nast Traveler’s most recent reader survey, which put Virgin America at no. 1 (and Delta down at no. 6), but that may change with our next survey—stay tuned for those results.
Do you agree? Have you noticed an uptick in Delta’s performance – perhaps thanks to investment in amenities such as free snack meals in Economy Comfort or its snazzy new Delta Studio in-flight entertainment? Was Virgin America, a perennial table topper, robbed? Let us know.