The airline industry is constantly evolving, shaped by factors like passenger expectations, safety regulations, and economic shifts. When planning air travel, it’s important to look beyond just the ticket price. Travelers are increasingly prioritizing reliability, comfort, safety, and overall service quality to ensure a positive experience. So, What Is The Best Airline to choose for your next trip?
WalletHub’s latest annual ranking offers valuable insights into the best airlines in the U.S. The study analyzes the nine largest national airlines and one regional carrier, evaluating them across key areas to help travelers make informed decisions.
According to WalletHub’s analysis, while airline ticket prices saw a decrease in 2023, they’re now trending upward. However, cost is just one piece of the puzzle. As WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe notes, their report distinguishes itself by considering factors beyond affordability, such as comfort, safety, and service quality.
Top Airlines in 2024: Key Findings
To determine the 2024 rankings, WalletHub examined 2023 flight data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, using a methodology focused on metrics like cancellations, delays, baggage handling, and in-flight comfort.
Alaska Airlines Takes the Top Spot
This year, Alaska Airlines emerged as the best airline in the U.S., surpassing Delta Air Lines, which held the top position in 2022 and 2023. Alaska Airlines has a history of strong performance in WalletHub’s rankings, having secured the top spot in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021. Its consistent performance and focus on passenger satisfaction have helped it reclaim the lead.
Happe highlights Alaska Airlines’ consistent performance, particularly in in-flight comfort and cost, citing amenities like ample legroom, entertainment options, and complimentary refreshments. The airline also excels in safety, ranking first in safety-related categories like the number of injuries in aviation incidents and accidents.
It’s important to note that the WalletHub rankings are based on 2023 flight data and don’t fully reflect recent issues faced by Alaska Airlines in 2024, including a January incident involving a Boeing 737 Max plane and a technology-related grounding in April. These events could potentially impact the airline’s 2025 rankings, particularly in the areas of safety and reliability.
Surprising Standouts: SkyWest and Spirit Airlines
SkyWest Airlines secured the second position, and Spirit Airlines surprisingly came in third. “It’s quite surprising to see Spirit Airlines ranking so high on the list,” says Happe. This is unexpected because Spirit is primarily known for its budget travel options and may not be associated with overall service quality. However, it appears that Spirit has made significant improvements in areas beyond affordability, such as safety, where it is ranked as the safest airline.
Southwest Airlines: Room for Improvement
Southwest Airlines ranked last for the third consecutive year. Happe explains that while Southwest performs adequately in areas like baggage handling and on-time departures, it struggles with mishandled baggage reports, denied boardings, price affordability, and safety scores. To improve its ranking, Southwest needs to address these issues, enhance its safety measures, and increase its price competitiveness.
Diving Deeper: Reliability, Comfort, Safety, and Affordability
In addition to the overall rankings, WalletHub also identified the top airlines in specific categories:
Most Reliable: Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines has been named the most reliable airline for the second consecutive year, boasting the lowest rates of cancellations, delays, mishandled luggage, and denied boardings.
Happe emphasizes Delta’s exceptional track record in minimizing disruptions. Conversely, Frontier Airlines was identified as the least reliable, struggling with denied boardings and delayed flights.
Most Comfortable: Delta Air Lines and JetBlue (Tie)
Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways share the title of most comfortable airlines, excelling in offering free amenities. These include Wi-Fi, extra legroom, and complimentary snacks and beverages. Frontier Airlines was ranked as the least comfortable, lacking many of the complimentary benefits offered by its competitors.
Safest Airline: Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines has been recognized as the safest airline, with a strong safety record including no fatalities and fewer than 15 injuries between 2018 and 2023.
Happe highlights Spirit’s superior performance in safety metrics, including incident and accident rates. Alaska Airlines follows closely in terms of safety.
Most Affordable: Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines is also the most affordable airline, offering budget-friendly options. In contrast, American Airlines is considered the most expensive based on WalletHub’s study.
Complete Airline Rankings
Here is a summary of the overall and category-specific rankings from the WalletHub report:
Overall Rankings: The Best Airlines in the U.S.
- Alaska Airlines
- SkyWest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Hawaiian Airlines
- American Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
The Most Reliable Airlines in the U.S.
- Delta Air Lines
- SkyWest Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- United Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Hawaiian Airlines
- American Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
The Most Comfortable Airlines in the U.S.
Note that SkyWest is not represented in this list because it is a regional carrier and serves other major airlines, which may dictate what amenities are provided.
- Delta Air Lines (tie)
- JetBlue Airways (tie)
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
The Safest Airlines in the U.S.
- Spirit Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- SkyWest Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- JetBlue Airways
- Hawaiian Airlines
- United Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
The Most Affordable Airlines in the U.S.
- Spirit Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- SkyWest Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- American Airlines
Making the Right Choice
Determining “what is the best airline” depends on your individual priorities. Consider what matters most to you – reliability, comfort, safety, or affordability – and use these rankings as a starting point for your research. By weighing these factors, you can confidently select the airline that best meets your needs and ensures a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
