They’re flying high.
Travel blog The Points Guy (TPG) has named one of the best airlines within the US for 2025 — with Delta Airlines taking the crown for the seventh 12 months in a row.
The highest-tier carrier was also named essentially the most reliable on-time airline in America.
The rankings were devised to “help consumers navigate the consistently changing aviation landscape” that’s rife with “changing airline policies, systemic delays and increased scrutiny on air travel,” per the positioning’s founder Brian Kelly.
While they didn’t place first across all other categories — notably falling short in affordability and the mileage customers got out of the SkyMiles rewards program — Delta soared above the competition as a result of their collective performance across 4 separate metrics.
“What put Delta excessive in 2025 was its strength across all of the categories we analyzed, from the consistently strong, on-time airline operation it runs to the experience customers have on the airport and of their seats,” TPG wrote of their report.
In December, Delta Air Lines collaborated with Shake Shack to bring the fast-food giant’s popular cheeseburgers to first-class cabins on domestic flights traveling greater than 900 miles.
United Airlines got here in second place, rising from third last 12 months. The carrier eclipsed Delta when it got here to loyalty rankings and in addition improved in two principal categories in comparison with last 12 months: overall reliability and passenger experience.
United could potentially fly even higher next 12 months as a result of the recently announced “Blue Sky” agreement with JetBlue, which can increase the airline’s footprint and improve perks for loyalty members, CBS reported.
To compile the list, the Points Guy team analyzed each airline across 4 categories: reliability (based on delays, cancellations, lost luggage and more), passenger experience (inflight amenities, customer satisfaction, lounges, etc.), the caliber of the airline’s loyalty program, and the price and reach of every carrier.
They then rated them on a scale of zero to 10.
TPG based its list on 2024 data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, including passenger complaints filed with the DOT, together with mishandled baggage reports for every carrier and operational data.
TPG also examined international route networks using aviation analytics firm Cirium — although they emphasized domestic networks — in addition to each carrier’s financials and publicly available fleet information.
“Our Best Airlines Report thoroughly analyzes and compares each airline’s performance to assist consumers make the proper selection for them, because not all airlines are created equal,” TPG’s Kelly added. “Ultimately, we wish consumers to know they’ve a selection in order that they can fly the airlines that best align with their needs.”
Southwest Airlines jumped up two spots to notch the No. 3 position, which TPG attributed, partly, to the carrier boasting the bottom cancellation rate within the industry for 2024.
They noted that the carrier maintained its cost and reach last 12 months — thanks, partly, to the dearth of add-on fees.
Nonetheless, the budget carrier could face some headwinds next 12 months following some major changes, including the rollout of checked bag fees and the phase-out of their popular “first come, first served” policy in favor of the more standard assigned seating.
Rounding out the highest five were Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
TPG’s 10 Best Airlines for 2025
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JetBlue
- American Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- Spirit Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
Other takeaways included that American Airlines saw the largest year-over-year decline in rankings, plunging three spots to seventh overall.
That fall from grace comes as AA plays catch-up to United and Delta when it comes to profitability, in addition to upmarket amenities equivalent to business-class seats, cabin features and lounges.
Budget airlines Allegiant, Spirit and Frontier occupied the last three spots within the rankings, which TPG attributed to their myriad add-on fees, lacking loyalty programs and amenities that paled compared to the competition.
Unfortunately, U.S. airlines fared poorly on the international stage, too.
In Skytrax’s recent rating of one of the best airlines on the earth for 2025, Delta placed the best on list — but in an abysmal twenty second place, followed by United in a miserable 51st.
Meanwhile, Air Canada topped the list of North America’s top airlines for 2025, Delta got here in second, and Canadian carrier Porter Airlines rounded out the highest three.
They’re flying high.
Travel blog The Points Guy (TPG) has named one of the best airlines within the US for 2025 — with Delta Airlines taking the crown for the seventh 12 months in a row.
The highest-tier carrier was also named essentially the most reliable on-time airline in America.
The rankings were devised to “help consumers navigate the consistently changing aviation landscape” that’s rife with “changing airline policies, systemic delays and increased scrutiny on air travel,” per the positioning’s founder Brian Kelly.
While they didn’t place first across all other categories — notably falling short in affordability and the mileage customers got out of the SkyMiles rewards program — Delta soared above the competition as a result of their collective performance across 4 separate metrics.
“What put Delta excessive in 2025 was its strength across all of the categories we analyzed, from the consistently strong, on-time airline operation it runs to the experience customers have on the airport and of their seats,” TPG wrote of their report.
In December, Delta Air Lines collaborated with Shake Shack to bring the fast-food giant’s popular cheeseburgers to first-class cabins on domestic flights traveling greater than 900 miles.
United Airlines got here in second place, rising from third last 12 months. The carrier eclipsed Delta when it got here to loyalty rankings and in addition improved in two principal categories in comparison with last 12 months: overall reliability and passenger experience.
United could potentially fly even higher next 12 months as a result of the recently announced “Blue Sky” agreement with JetBlue, which can increase the airline’s footprint and improve perks for loyalty members, CBS reported.
To compile the list, the Points Guy team analyzed each airline across 4 categories: reliability (based on delays, cancellations, lost luggage and more), passenger experience (inflight amenities, customer satisfaction, lounges, etc.), the caliber of the airline’s loyalty program, and the price and reach of every carrier.
They then rated them on a scale of zero to 10.
TPG based its list on 2024 data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, including passenger complaints filed with the DOT, together with mishandled baggage reports for every carrier and operational data.
TPG also examined international route networks using aviation analytics firm Cirium — although they emphasized domestic networks — in addition to each carrier’s financials and publicly available fleet information.
“Our Best Airlines Report thoroughly analyzes and compares each airline’s performance to assist consumers make the proper selection for them, because not all airlines are created equal,” TPG’s Kelly added. “Ultimately, we wish consumers to know they’ve a selection in order that they can fly the airlines that best align with their needs.”
Southwest Airlines jumped up two spots to notch the No. 3 position, which TPG attributed, partly, to the carrier boasting the bottom cancellation rate within the industry for 2024.
They noted that the carrier maintained its cost and reach last 12 months — thanks, partly, to the dearth of add-on fees.
Nonetheless, the budget carrier could face some headwinds next 12 months following some major changes, including the rollout of checked bag fees and the phase-out of their popular “first come, first served” policy in favor of the more standard assigned seating.
Rounding out the highest five were Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
TPG’s 10 Best Airlines for 2025
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JetBlue
- American Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- Spirit Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
Other takeaways included that American Airlines saw the largest year-over-year decline in rankings, plunging three spots to seventh overall.
That fall from grace comes as AA plays catch-up to United and Delta when it comes to profitability, in addition to upmarket amenities equivalent to business-class seats, cabin features and lounges.
Budget airlines Allegiant, Spirit and Frontier occupied the last three spots within the rankings, which TPG attributed to their myriad add-on fees, lacking loyalty programs and amenities that paled compared to the competition.
Unfortunately, U.S. airlines fared poorly on the international stage, too.
In Skytrax’s recent rating of one of the best airlines on the earth for 2025, Delta placed the best on list — but in an abysmal twenty second place, followed by United in a miserable 51st.
Meanwhile, Air Canada topped the list of North America’s top airlines for 2025, Delta got here in second, and Canadian carrier Porter Airlines rounded out the highest three.
