Every year, airline rankings come out, and it’s always a big deal for travelers. In 2025, one airline soared above the rest like a seasoned bird in the sky: Southwest Airlines. This airline not only captured the top spot but did so with style, boasting the fewest customer complaints and tarmac delays. It seems that passengers have found their travel buddy in Southwest, who managed to make flying feel a bit less like a game of musical chairs.
Coming in a solid second place was Allegiant, that budget-friendly option that many families have trusted for their getaways. Despite being a low-cost carrier, Allegiant appears to have figured out how to keep its passengers happy, at least enough to land a strong ranking. Delta Airlines, which had basked in the glory of the number one position for four years in a row, took a bit of a tumble, landing in third place. It turns out that flight cancellations, tarmac delays, and some complaints sent Delta’s standing spiraling down like a rollercoaster that hit a steep decline.
As we glance down the rankings, Alaska and Spirit Airlines found themselves somewhere in the middle. They didn’t quite have the spark and enthusiasm of the top contenders, but they didn’t completely flop either. However, there was quite a noticeable gap between them. United Airlines slid into sixth place, leaving passengers to wonder if their coffee was stronger than their on-time performance.
JetBlue took the seventh spot, and while this might not be their dream destination in the rankings, it’s still far better than being in the last position. Speaking of last places, American Airlines and Frontier Airlines were tied for the bottom of the barrel. American, a once-proud airline, saw its cancellation rate jump from 1.27% in 2024 to a staggering 2.2% in 2025, which is quite a large leap. For reference, no other airline even dared to cross the 2% mark. Frontier, on the other hand, managed to rank last in four out of seven evaluated categories, begging the question of whether they should consider a rebranding, perhaps something like “Frontier: Where Adventure Awaits, but Timing Does Not.”
In the end, these rankings aren’t just about pride; they’re rooted in hard data and objective operational measures. They help travelers make informed decisions about which airlines can be trusted to deliver them and their luggage safely and on time to the right destinations. So, whether you’re ready to book your next vacation or just dreaming of flying away, it looks like Southwest is the way to go for a hassle-free experience, while some of the others may still need to work out a few kinks in their flight plans.
