It's also interesting to note in that report that SW has the lowest % of passenger complaints, so they apparently handle issues like denied boardings well.

<i>It's also interesting to note in that report that SW has the lowest % of passenger complaints, so they apparently handle issues like denied boardings well.</i>

DOT complaints are so rare as to be a meaningless statistic. The numbers are so low, in fact, that you could meaningfully skew them pretty much by yourself.

You can check on-time performance of specific flights, often by clicking on the flight number on airlines website - but also thru sites like FlightStats and FlightAware.

But statistics are just that - statistics. If you are requiring that one one specific flight on one specific day you must be on time, then unpredictable variables such as weather mean the only way is pick a flight with some extra time built in so you make a connection or appointment.

You are not going to find that Airline A is 20% on time all the time and Alrline B is 90% - just doesn't exist. And you are going to get a bunch of individual flight experience comments here that truly are not meaningful.

I've never really noticed a big difference flying coach on the major carriers. I do prefer Jetblue, though. I think the seats are more comfortable with more legroom and you get personal video. So if the flight times and price work and you're able to fly out of Long Beach, that's a good option. I've never flown Virgin America, but they get good reviews. That might be another possibility.