Airline Index Released, Who’s the Best

Since studies began on airlines in 1991, the industry is doing the best it has in 23 years. The latest airline index has been released and the top airlines have been named. The airline quality index is put out by Wichita State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott.

For the second year in a row, Virgin Airlines is at number 1 followed by, for the second year in a row, Jet Blue. Coming in 3^rd was Hawaiian Airlines and, in fourth, Delta.

Southwest ranked eighth out of sixteen airlines and had quite a drop. In 2012, they were ranked 3^rd.

American Airline and US Airways, who merged this past December ranked 7^th (US Airways) and 9^th (American). United merged with Continental Airlines and were among the worst coming in at 14. American Eagle was 15^th.

Six airlines showed worse scores from last year but eight improved their rating with the biggest improvement from United.

Many factors are considered for the ranking including on time performance, rate of lost bags, passengers being bumped, overbooked flights and customer complaints.

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