Delta Ranks Best U.S. Airline for Seventh Year in 2025 TPG Report

Delta Air Lines has been named the best U.S. airline for an unprecedented seventh consecutive year in The Points Guy’s (TPG) annual 2025 airline rankings, further cementing its reputation for reliability and well-rounded service in an ever-evolving aviation landscape.

Data-Driven Rankings Highlight Delta’s Consistency

Each year, TPG assesses the 10 largest U.S. carriers based on a comprehensive set of data points intended to guide travelers toward informed decisions. For 2025, Delta Air Lines once again captured the top spot by outperforming peers across critical categories, including operational reliability, travel experience, route network and affordability, and loyalty programs.

“Delta didn’t lead in every single category, but its consistent strength across all the metrics we reviewed secured another first-place finish,” the TPG report said. Notably, Delta Air Lines has held the No. 1 position in TPG’s rankings since 2019, exemplifying a standard of excellence that stands out in the highly competitive domestic airline market.

How the Rankings Were Calculated

TPG’s methodology aggregates data from four primary areas:

• Reliability: On-time performance, cancellation rates, mishandled checked bags and mobility devices.
• Travel Experience: In-flight amenities, seat comfort, family policies, lounges, and customer satisfaction.
• Cost and Network Reach: Route breadth, affordability of airfares, and ancillary fees.
• Loyalty: Value and flexibility of frequent flyer programs, redemption opportunities, and elite perks.

The rankings relied on sources such as the U.S. Department of Transportation and financial data provided by airlines. The goal, as TPG describes, is to provide “objective, data-driven insight” for travelers making their next flight booking.

Key Findings: United's Rise, Southwest's Bounce, and American's Slide

For luxury-minded and experience-driven travelers, several movements across the rankings offer valuable insights:

• United Airlines soared to second overall, boosted by improved reliability and passenger experience, as well as a robust loyalty program underpinned by Star Alliance membership and new partner initiatives.
• Southwest Airlines climbed to third, following industry-low cancellation rates and customer-friendly fee structures in 2024. However, the carrier has since introduced checked bag fees and tightened policies, raising questions about its future placement.
• American Airlines dropped precipitously, falling to seventh after lagging on profitability, premium offerings, and baggage handling—a decline TPG notes may be mitigated as new business-class Flagship Suites and amenities roll out.
• Budget carriers Allegiant Air, Spirit Airlines, and Frontier Airlines remained at the bottom, challenged by extensive add-on fees and limited onboard amenities, though each is attempting to refresh its image with first-class seats, enhanced loyalty offerings, and new aircraft.

Reliability Remains Paramount in Passenger Satisfaction

Getting passengers to their destinations on time and with their belongings intact continues to define operational excellence. Reliability comprised 30% of TPG’s total scoring. Amid record-breaking airport crowds in 2024, Delta’s operational resilience shone through, even after a major global IT outage in July that forced thousands of cancellations. The airline returned to form within days, underscoring what TPG called “the consistently strong, on-time operation it runs.”

2024 Reliability Rankings

1. Delta Air Lines
2. Hawaiian Airlines
3. Allegiant Air
4. Southwest Airlines
5. United Airlines
6. JetBlue
7. Alaska Airlines
8. Spirit Airlines
9. American Airlines
10. Frontier Airlines

While American and Alaska Airlines suffered in the reliability category—hampered by mishandled checked baggage and mobility devices—Frontier again trailed the pack, particularly in flight bumping rates. Travelers boarding Frontier were 25,000 times more likely to be bumped than those flying Delta, according to DOT data.

Travel Experience: Alaska Surges, Lounges and Tech Take Center Stage

Alaska Airlines topped the travel experience rankings, distinguishing itself with family-friendly policies, accessible lounges, and favorable customer satisfaction scores. For upscale travelers, Alaska’s $795 Lounge+ membership offered broad network access, including select United Clubs and American Admirals Clubs. Still, Delta and United made significant investments in facilities and inflight entertainment, rivaling Alaska for discerning travelers seeking comfort and exclusivity.

JetBlue scored highest for economy class features thanks to free Wi-Fi, personal seatback entertainment, and roomier seating. Meanwhile, Delta continued to open exclusive Delta One Lounges in major markets, further upgrading the ground experience for premium customers. Nevertheless, overcrowding remains widespread in U.S. airport lounges, prompting airlines and card issuers to impose tighter access policies this year.

Cost and Network Reach: Southwest Leads but Change Looms

Southwest Airlines earned top marks in the “Cost and Reach” category thanks to its expansive domestic network and a near-absence of ancillary fees during the period evaluated. However, the airline’s recently announced checked bag fees and basic economy fares may impact traveler value in the coming year.

American Airlines boasted the largest domestic network, while United led in international connectivity, operating high-capacity flights to far-flung destinations on multiple continents. Data from industry analytics firm Cirium revealed United’s global volume outpaced its competitors by tens of billions of available seat miles—a crucial metric for globetrotters seeking rare and luxurious routes. Ultra-low-cost carriers such as Spirit and Frontier offered lower base fares, but ancillary fees typically increased actual costs for travelers.

Loyalty Programs: United and Alaska Impress Frequent Flyers

For loyalty-focused travelers, United Airlines edged out Alaska Airlines and American Airlines in TPG’s evaluation. United’s MileagePlus program excelled with its global earning/redemption partners and the Star Alliance’s expansive reach. Alaska’s Mileage Plan leaped over American’s, with the upcoming launch of a joint loyalty program with Hawaiian Airlines poised to benefit frequent flyers. Notably, recent changes to elite status qualification and redemption rates at several airlines may alter the loyalty landscape in the coming year.

2025 Loyalty Rankings

1. United Airlines
2. Alaska Airlines
3. American Airlines
4. Delta Air Lines
5. JetBlue
6. Southwest Airlines
7. Hawaiian Airlines
8. Spirit Airlines
9. Frontier Airlines
10. Allegiant Air

With Delta Air Lines leading for a seventh year in the TPG rankings, upscale travelers can expect a reliable, well-rounded product, supported by robust operational performance, customer service, and investment in premium amenities. Still, United’s loyalty program innovations, Alaska’s lounge network, and JetBlue’s onboard tech give discerning flyers quality alternatives, depending on specific travel priorities.

As the U.S. airline industry adapts to shifting consumer expectations—with notable upgrades in lounges, premium cabins, and loyalty incentives—experience-driven globetrotters are presented with more options than ever. The best bet? Stay attuned to policy changes, fee structures, and loyalty program evolutions to maximize comfort, value, and once-in-a-lifetime journeys in the year ahead.