Delta's 10th in Airline Quality Rating

By Charles Edwards

atlanta, ga – An annual survey released today ranks Delta 10th out of 16 airlines for overall performance last year.

However, the co-author of the Airline Quality Rating says the news isn't all bad for the Atlanta-based company.

The rating is based on on-time arrivals, lost luggage, denied boardings and customer complaints.

Delta came in 10th because its numbers from 2006 dropped slightly in 2007 in all 4 categories. However, Headley says the relatively similar numbers is good news for Delta passengers.

HEADLEY: I know that it may not be rated number 1, but I know what I'm going to get because they're consistent in giving it to me.

Delta spokesperson Susan Elliott says the rating is a mixed bag.

ELLIOTT: Certainly there's always room for improvement, but Delta continues to be a top performer in what customers care about most, (which is) flights arriving on time.

Almost 77 percent of Delta flights arrived on-time in 2007. Only Southwest Airlines had a higher on-time percentage last year.

Overall, Air Tran ranked number 1 in the survey.