Delta Air Lines is currently the best airline in the United States, according to the latest Airline Quality Rating (AQR). The carrier's victory -- its first in 18 years -- comes against a backdrop of steady service improvement for the entire industry, which could be good news for all airline passengers. Or not.

The Airline Quality Rating, now in its 29th year, is one of the most comprehensive studies of performance and quality of the largest U.S. airlines. Researchers from Wichita State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University based their ranking on government-reported data on mishandled baggage, consumer complaints, on-time performance and involuntary denied boardings.

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