Apr 9, 2018 β€” By ΊΓΙ«ΟΘΙϊ News Services β€” In the closest finish in nearly three decades of identifying the nation's top airlines, Alaska Air barely edged out Delta Airlines to retain its No. 1 position, according to the 28th annual Airline Quality Rating (AQR), announced today, Monday, April 9, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.