They’re flying high.
Travel blog The Points Guy (TPG) has named the best airlines in the US for 2025 — with Delta Airlines taking the crown for the seventh year in a row.
The top-tier carrier was also named the most reliable on-time airline in America.
The rankings were devised to “help consumers navigate the constantly changing aviation landscape” that’s rife with “changing airline policies, systemic delays and increased scrutiny on air travel,” per the site’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 due to their collective performance across four separate metrics.
“What put Delta over the top in 2025 was its strength across all the categories we analyzed, from the consistently strong, on-time airline operation it runs to the experience customers have at the airport and in their seats,” TPG wrote in 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 more than 900 miles.
United Airlines came in second place, rising from third last year. The carrier eclipsed Delta when it came to loyalty rankings and also improved in two main categories compared to last year: overall reliability and passenger experience.
United could potentially fly even higher next year due to the recently announced “Blue Sky” agreement with JetBlue, which will 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 four 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 cost and reach of each 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, along with mishandled baggage reports for each carrier and operational data.
TPG also examined international route networks using aviation analytics firm Cirium — although they emphasized domestic networks — as well as each carrier’s financials and publicly available fleet information.
“Our Best Airlines Report thoroughly analyzes and compares each airline’s performance to help consumers make the right choice for them, because not all airlines are created equal,” TPG’s Kelly added. “Ultimately, we want consumers to know they have a choice so 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, in part, to the carrier boasting the lowest cancellation rate in the industry for 2024.
They noted that the carrier maintained its cost and reach last year — thanks, in part, to the lack of add-on fees.
However, the budget carrier could face some headwinds next year 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 top 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 biggest 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 in terms of profitability, as well as upmarket amenities such as business-class seats, cabin features and lounges.
Budget airlines Allegiant, Spirit and Frontier occupied the last three spots in the rankings, which TPG attributed to their myriad add-on fees, lacking loyalty programs and amenities that paled in comparison to the competition.
Unfortunately, U.S. airlines fared poorly on the international stage, too.
In Skytrax’s recent ranking of the best airlines in the world for 2025, Delta placed the highest on list — but in an abysmal 22nd place, followed by United in a miserable 51st.
Meanwhile, Air Canada topped the list of North America’s top airlines for 2025, Delta came in second, and Canadian carrier Porter Airlines rounded out the top three.
