Who doesn't want reliable, updated information about major airlines?
Video by TravelAwaits
Usually, Americans have two options at their fingertips. Legacy or budget airlines. If you're a boogie, throw a third for private and semi-private airlines.
First, you're interested in things like price, reliability, reward programs, seat sizes and pitch.
Our preferences are usually guided by experience.
But that doesn't mean that the rankings of the best, worst, safest and the other top-notch rankings will not shift. All flights are important and some airlines are above to start a clean slate. (Look at you, Spirit Airlines!)
Looking for the best airline shortcuts for 2025? Let's dig into the official Wallethub rankings. This is based on price, safety ratings, delays, luggage handling, pet travel and more.
At a glance: Best Airlines in 2025 according to Wallethub:
Best Airlines: Spirit Airlines (weighted from all other scores) Most Affordable: Spirit Airlines Most Reliable: Delta Line Most Comfortable: Hawaiian Airlines Best for Pets: United Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, Empire Safe Save
Official rankings of the best airlines of 2025
Most Affordable: Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines will give you lots of bangs for your money. In fact, spirit tends to bear the brunt of many airline jokes, but is famous for saving me to not miss my wedding when American Airlines fell into a flight cancelling frenzy. For $200, Spirit Airlines took me from Miami to New Orleans at the very last minute.
For budget flyers, Spirit Airlines remain undefeated. That naked fare won't make you feel like you're at the spa due to the spread of your imagination, but when you need to get from Point A to Point B without clearing your bank account, Spirit Airlines is there.
Frontier and Skywast were placed behind Spirit Airlines in terms of budget rankings. We also had a great experience booking a last minute Save-Me flight with Frontier Airlines.
Most reliable: Delta Air Lines
Delta reported the fewest incidents of delays, cancelled flights, incorrect baggage and boarding. I personally can guarantee the delta. This is my favorite legacy airline.
On a recent trip between St. Louis, Missouri and Barcelona, Spain, I had my baggage wrong on a layover in Atlanta. Without one call, text or message from me, Delta corrected the disaster and had my baggage on the next flight to San Luis.
That's a big deal for two reasons. For one, it is likely that Delta was not responsible for the accident. Airport crews handle luggage, not airlines. Secondly, I was given a lot of weight off my shoulders to know that the situation was being handled because I could track my package remotely.
JetBlue, United, and Hawaiian Airlines were then placed next in terms of reliability.
Most Comfortable: JetBlue Airways & Hawaiian Airlines
If you read my work with seat pitch and width, you may already know the answer: Thanks to those slightly deeper seats (including the economy), JetBlue is the most comfortable airline serving Americans. But that's not all.
Wallethub's comfort rating also takes into account in-flight amenities such as free snacks and drinks, extra legroom and Wi-Fi. For almost a decade, JetBlue has been holding a cozy masterclass at 35,000 feet.
Wallethub's survey found that Hawaiian airlines were the closest to the second each, followed by Alaska Airlines.
Perfect for pets: United Airlines, Skywest Airlines, Emboy Airlines
Even if you're flying with your pet, it's always worth booking with an airline with experience in handling pets.
If you're digging into Wallethub's research, their pet-friendly metrics are a bit confusing. Please know: the higher the animal incident, the better the airline has been to transport the pets.
United, SkyWest and Emboyair have closed for the last few years at Sterling Pet Care, including animals transported by cargo.
Overall the safest: Spirit Airlines
The first Spirit Airlines to be located in terms of safety is closely followed by Frontier Airlines. It is also the most affordable airline for those who keep trucks. To rank safety, Wallethub took into account fatal injuries, aviation accidents, fleet age, and more.
Despite firing some of the cheapest tickets in the air travel world, Spirit and Frontier come out first as fewer incidents have reduced injuries. Importantly, they also have a slightly younger fleet than some legacy airlines. You're flying cheaply, but you're flying safely too.
