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Delta tops annual WSJ list of best and worst US airlines

The Wall Street Journal list ranked nine U.S. airlines based on the number of on-time arrivals, delays, cancellations, mishandled luggage and more.
Credit: AP
FILE - In this Aug. 8, 2017, file photo, a Delta Air Lines jet waits on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport in New York. Delta tops an annual study that ranks US airlines by on-time arrivals, complaint rates, and other statistical measurements. Researchers who crunch the numbers say that U.S. airlines are getting better as a whole. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

For the third year in a row, Delta Airlines has been named the year's best major U.S. airline, according to an annual ranking by The Wall Street Journal

The 2019 ranking is based on factors like on-time arrivals, canceled flights, delays, mishandled luggage, involuntary bumping of passengers and complaints.  

American Airlines came in last place, according to the Journal's 2019 overall rankings. 

The Wall Street Journal also reported that flight cancellations, long delays and customer complaints were up for everyone. 

According to The Wall Street Journal, Delta ranked No. 1 for on-time arrivals, fewest canceled flights and fewest customers involuntary bumped from flights. The Atlanta-based airline reported bumping just nine passengers from its flights during 2019, while American bumped more than 15,000 customers. 

Credit: AP
A Delta Connection Embraer 175 aircraft, foreground, taxis to a gate at Logan International Airport in Boston, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

American Airlines ranked last for canceled flights, 2-hour tarmac delays, mishandled baggage and involuntary bumping, The Wall Street Journal rankings found. Reporter Scott McCartney wrote that American averaged around 159 cancellations a day, compared to Delta averaging just 36 flights a day.

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In a statement to CNBC, Delta said there's "no higher honor for Delta when our employees are recognized for the work that they do to take care of our customers.” Alaska and Southwest tied for second overall. 

Best to worst overall ranking of US airlines for 2019 by Wall Street Journal

1. Delta

2. Alaska (Tie)

2. Southwest (Tie)

4. Allegiant

5. Spirit

6. JetBlue

7. Frontier

8. United

9. American 

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