Living: The Score

Six inspectors, including Egon Ronay, flew each of the airlines three times, on day and night flights. They traveled economy class. (Not included in the survey, because they do not have direct U.K.-North America service, were Air France, Lufthansa and Alitalia.) Each airline was graded according to 14 criteria, with an optimum of 100%, ranging from in-flight announcements to the selection of magazines and newspapers aboard. The score:

77% Delta 57% Braniff 69% Air Canada 58% Aer Lingus 66% TWA 56% Laker 65% British Cal. 54% N.W. Orient 62% National 52% Pan American 59% Air India 37% Iran Air 58% Brit. Airways 36% El Al