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- US airlines are gearing up for a slow travel season this summer.
- WalletHub ranked major US airlines on reliability, comfort, safety, and price.
- Budget carrier Spirit Airlines was No. 1 on the list.
US travelers might be flying less this summer thanks to economic instability and anxiety around flight-related incidents in the news.
For those still planning to travel, choosing a reliable and cost-effective airline can be a priority, especially as ticket prices continue to rise.
In 2024, airfare prices rose by 7.9%, while the Consumer Price Index for all products increased by 2.9%, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In a new report, WalletHub rated the largest nine domestic airlines, along with two domestic carriers, based on metrics like flight cancellations and delays, reports of mishandled baggage and animal incidents, in-flight comfort, price, and safety, using 2024 data from the US Department of Transportation.
Here are the airlines that made it to the top 10.
10. American Airlines
Of the top 10 airlines, American Airlines received the lowest score on mishandled baggage claims and the second-lowest for delays.
However, the airline scored well for leg room, entertainment options, and complimentary refreshments.
9. Frontier Airlines
WalletHub ranked the budget carrier Frontier Airlines as the second-safest airline of 2025. WalletHub’s safety scores were determined by the number of injuries and fatal injuries in airline accidents between 2019 and 2024, the number of incidents per an airline’s total number of flight operations in that same time period, and the age of the airline’s fleet.
Among these metrics, Frontier received the top score for fleet age. In December, Forbes reported the average age of an aircraft was around 4.6 years. Frontier also received high scores for mishandled baggage reports and price.
8. United Airlines
While United Airlines received low scores for mishandled baggage reports and flight cancellations, it tied with the regional carrier SkyWest and Envoy Air for best treatment of pets.
7. Hawaiian Airlines
Coming in seventh, Hawaiian Airlines tied with JetBlue Airlines for the most comfortable airline of 2025. Both carriers provide amenities like free WiFi, complimentary refreshments, entertainment options, and extra legroom, per WalletHub.
6. Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines ranked high in both the safety and comfort categories, receiving the top scores for legroom, entertainment options, complimentary refreshments, fleet age, and safety markers.
5. Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines also scored the top score on flight cancellations, legroom, in-flight entertainment, and complimentary refreshments.
However, WalletHub ranked the airline low for price, delays, and mishandled baggage reports.
4. JetBlue
Ranking fourth overall, JetBlue tied with Hawaiian Airlines for the most comfortable airline of 2025.
The carrier, which does not transport animals, received the top score for WiFi, complimentary refreshments, entertainment options, and legroom.
It also scored high on reliability, receiving high scores in the categories for mishandled baggage reports and canceled flights.
3. Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines was ranked the most reliable airline in 2025, with the lowest rate of cancellations, delays, mishandled luggage, and denied boardings.
It also received the top score on legroom, in-flight refreshments, and entertainment options.
However, the airline received low scores on price and fleet age, which contribute to safety. As of December 2024, the average age of its aircraft was 14.9 years, the airline reported.
2. SkyWest Airlines
SkyWest Airlines, a regional carrier serving American, Delta, Alaska, and United Airlines, tied with United for the most pet-friendly.
While the airline doesn’t offer in-flight entertainment options, it received the top score on legroom and complimentary refreshments.
1. Spirit Airlines
WalletHub ranked budget carrier Spirit Airlines as the best airline overall, as well as the most affordable and safest airline.
Spirit also received the second-highest score on delays and mishandled baggage reports, showing a high rate of reliability. It also received the top score for fleet age, which contributes to safety.
Still, the budget airline, which ranked highest for price, received low scores on legroom, entertainment options, and in-flight refreshments, which it offers at a price.
Read the full article here
