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Delta Air Lines was 11th among 19 big airlines for on-time performance in January, and 10th in the rate of lost luggage, according to the government's monthly air travel report.

Delta issued a news release saying the January data marked the 13th straight month it has outperformed rival AirTran Airways in on-time performance at the Atlanta hub, where they compete head-to-head.

That prompted a counterpunch from AirTran, which acknowledged Delta won the on-time battle in January, but added: "In typical fashion they fail to include all relevant consumer statistics."

AirTran Vice President Kevin Healy said AirTran had lower rates of lost luggage, canceled flights, involuntary bumping and consumer complaints to the government. He also said that when Delta regional partners Comair and Atlantic Southeast Airlines were added to the stats, all "Delta brand" flights at Hartsfield had about the same on-time rate as AirTran.

According to the Department of Transportation report, 77.3 percent of all Delta mainline flights reached their destination within 15 minutes of schedule in January. AirTran had a 75.7 percent rate, placing 14th.

Comair had a rate of 78.7, ninth-best, while ASA's 72.9 percent rate left it 17th.

Hawaiian Airlines was best with 95.9 percent of flights on time, while New York discounter JetBlue was worst at 70.6 percent.

AirTran had the second-lowest rate of lost luggage, while Delta was 10th and ASA finished last, continuing a chronically poor showing in that category.

AJC