Ranking of Leading U.S. Airlines, Provided by The Points Guy
oszq 🛬 Traveling this summer and wondering which airline to choose for the best flight experience? The Points Guy (TPG), an online platform dedicated to enhancing travelers' experiences while saving them money, has released its annual airline ranking in the U.S.
According to founder and CEO Brian Kelly, the site grades airlines on four key factors: an airline's reliability and performance; the overall experience for passengers; costs and reach; and the quality of its loyalty or rewards program. Recent airline disasters have encouraged travelers to cautiously pick their airline and airport choices.
Kelly emphasized to our Mornings that the ranking is not based on personal preferences: "We have a formula. We use data. We're not just flipping coins or favoritism."
The weight assigned to each metric is as follows:
- Reliability and on-time performance (30%)
- Passenger's Overall Experience (25%)
- Costs and network reach (20%)
- Loyalty and rewards programs (25%)
How the Top Airlines Compare
Delta Air Lines reclaimed the top spot for the seventh year in a row. Its standout performance across all categories earned it the highest ranking. Delta boasts a reliable on-time record, offers complimentary wi-fi, an extensive selection of in-flight entertainment, and even Shake Shack meals.
United moved up to second place, advancing from third position last year. Improved onboard experiences helped United climb the ranks, and this year it's partnering with JetBlue to expand its route options and boost perks for loyalty members, according to TPG.
Despite the positive outlook, United faces challenges due to persistent equipment and staff issues at Newark Airport.
Southwest Airlines moved up two spots to take third place. A low flight cancellation rate, network enhancements, new IT investments, and improved operations helped Southwest's rise. However, its recent changes like introducing a new, basic economy fare and seat assignments could impact its popularity with budget travelers.
Delta, United, and Southwest were followed by Alaska, Hawaiian, and JetBlue. Allegiant, Spirit, and Frontier remained near the bottom of the list due to numerous fees, weaker rewards programs, and fewer in-flight amenities compared to larger airlines.
In conclusion, TPG warns travelers about the ongoing challenges with ultra-low-cost carriers.
Megan Cerullo, a New York-based reporter for our MoneyWatch, frequently reports on small business, workplace, healthcare, consumer spending, and personal finance topics, often appearing on News 24/7 to discuss her findings.
- The ranking by The Points Guy (TPG) places Delta Air Lines at the top for the seventh consecutive year, largely due to its standout performance in all four key factors: reliability, passenger experience, costs and reach, and loyalty programs.
- United Airlines moved up to second place this year, improving onboard experiences and partnering with JetBlue to expand its route options and boost perks for loyalty members, according to TPG.
- Southwest Airlines, in third place, saw improvements due to a low flight cancellation rate, network enhancements, new IT investments, and improved operations, but its recent changes like introducing a basic economy fare and seat assignments could impact its popularity with budget travelers.
- Megan Cerullo, a reporter for MoneyWatch, frequently covers small business, healthcare, consumer spending, and personal finance topics, often discussing her findings on News 24/7. TPG advises travelers to be cautious about the ongoing challenges with ultra-low-cost carriers like Allegiant, Spirit, and Frontier, which are ranked lower in the list due to numerous fees, weaker rewards programs, and fewer in-flight amenities compared to larger airlines.
