North Texas-based airlines Southwest and American might own the market at DFW International and Love Field, but they didn't ascend in WalletHub's 2024 Best Airlines rankings.
With issues in timeliness and luggage handling, Southwest finished last in the field of 10 U.S. airlines. American Airlines came in 8th.
"They didn't do very well when it came to the delays as well as the mishandled baggage reports," says Cassie Happe, communications manager at WalletHub.
The shortcomings were significant enough to affect their standings, despite their sizable operations and customer bases. American carries more passengers than any airline in the world. Southwest is also one of the "Big 4" U.S. carriers.
Conversely, Alaska Airlines enjoyed the view from the top. Praised for excelling in several pivotal areas, Happe praised Alaska Airlines for its "reliability, affordability, comfort, and safety." This resulted in a well-rounded travel experience that earned the airline the best overall title.
Safety is a non-negotiable aspect for fliers, and it was Spirit Airlines that was lauded as the safest.
When it came to reliability, Delta Airlines' reputation soared. Low cancellation and delay rates, along with fewer incidents of mishandled luggage, saw Delta lauded for its remarkable consistency.
Comfort was championed by both Delta and JetBlue Airways, with Happe noting, "Both airlines offer a superior in-flight experience with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, extra legroom, and complimentary snacks and beverages."
WalletHub's Best Airlines (2024) Rankings (Score):
1. Alaska Airlines (68.07)
2. Skywest Airlines (65.96)
3. Spirit Airlines (65.69)
4. Delta Airlines (61.56)
5. United Airlines (51.96)
6. JetBlue Airways (51.60)
7. Hawaiian Airlines (48.30)
8. American Airlines (46.52)
9. Frontier Airlines (43.57)
10. Southwest Airlines (36.03)
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