Southwest Airlines Surpasses Delta in 2025 Best Airline Rankings
‘The Big Money Show’ reacts to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the White House $1B plan to make airports ‘healthy’ with better food, family spaces, and terminal micro-gyms.
Despite another year marked by flight delays, cancellations, and passenger complaints, no U.S. airline truly excelled in 2025. However, one carrier emerged as the industry’s top performer, while two others tied for the lowest rankings.
On Thursday, The Wall Street Journal unveiled its annual ranking of the best and worst airlines. While some industry improvements were highlighted, overall performance remained stagnant year over year, despite higher fares and significant investments from major airlines.
1. Southwest
Southwest Airlines soared above its competitors to claim the top spot, marking the first time since 2020 that the carrier has ranked No. 1, ending Delta’s four-year winning streak.
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According to The Journal, Southwest had the fewest customer complaints and tarmac delays, boasting a cancellation rate of just 0.84%. However, its lowest score was in baggage handling.
Southwest Airlines and American Airlines planes on the tarmac at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Getty Images)
In recent years, the airline has made headlines for reducing its workforce by 15% and introducing fees for checked bags.
2. Allegiant
Allegiant Air secured the second position, earning accolades as a strong performer despite being a low-cost carrier.
The airline excelled in three key areas: it posted the lowest cancellation rate at 0.55%, had the fewest lost bags, and recorded the least number of involuntary passenger bumps. However, when Allegiant flights are delayed, those delays tend to last longer than the industry average.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” will include funds to overhaul air traffic control technology, which the CEOs are publicly backing. (Credit: United States Department of Transportation)
3. Delta
Delta Air Lines came in third, slipping from its previous No. 1 position. The airline expressed its intention to reclaim the top spot in 2026, stating, “Delta people set the bar high for airline performance as part of our drive for continuous improvement.”
Although Delta led the industry in on-time arrivals, The Journal noted that its 2024 summer system outage, which caused widespread flight disruptions, negatively impacted its 2025 performance. The airline also experienced increases in delays, cancellations, and complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian speaks to ‘The Claman Countdown’ about the company’s developments at the CES 2025.
4. Alaska
Alaska Airlines was recognized as a steady, reliable performer, although it lagged behind the top three. There was a noticeable gap between Alaska and the airlines ranked below it.
While it didn’t lead in any major category, Alaska avoided serious operational breakdowns in 2025. The carrier is expected to integrate Hawaiian Airlines data following its planned merger in 2026.
5. Spirit
Despite its reputation for no-frills service and ongoing financial struggles, Spirit Airlines saw the most significant year-over-year improvement.
The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly discusses how Spirit Airlines’ bankruptcy could impact travel.
Spirit cut its cancellation rate to 1.42%, down from its 2024 high, and jumped to fourth place in on-time arrivals, demonstrating operational gains even as it faced bankruptcy proceedings.
6. United
United Airlines ranked sixth, primarily due to its poor performance in baggage handling. The carrier’s mishandled-bag rate was 7.07 per 1,000, significantly above the industry average, and its tracking technology failed to yield better results.
7. JetBlue
JetBlue Airways ranked near the bottom but managed to avoid last place. It performed relatively well in baggage handling—second only to Allegiant—but struggled with reliability and flight delays.
American Airlines launches luxury amenity kits with Joanna Vargas skincare and Bollinger Champagne service.
8. American, Frontier (tie)
Travelers should be cautious, as American Airlines and Frontier tied for last place in The Journal’s rankings. Both companies faced challenges with reliability and “outside issues,” impacting passengers significantly.
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American had the highest cancellation rate of all major airlines at 2.2% and rarely ranked higher than sixth in any category. The company attributed its poor performance to weather and hub disruptions. Notably, in January of last year, one of its regional jets collided with an Army helicopter in D.C., resulting in 67 fatalities.
Frontier ranked last in four of seven categories and found itself at the bottom for the second consecutive year. The company’s bid to acquire Spirit was rejected earlier in the year, and its CEO Barry Biffle unexpectedly departed Frontier in December.
‘The Big Money Show’ reacts to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the White House $1B plan to make airports ‘healthy’ with better food, family spaces, and terminal micro-gyms.
Despite another year marked by flight delays, cancellations, and passenger complaints, no U.S. airline truly excelled in 2025. However, one carrier emerged as the industry’s top performer, while two others tied for the lowest rankings.
On Thursday, The Wall Street Journal unveiled its annual ranking of the best and worst airlines. While some industry improvements were highlighted, overall performance remained stagnant year over year, despite higher fares and significant investments from major airlines.
1. Southwest
Southwest Airlines soared above its competitors to claim the top spot, marking the first time since 2020 that the carrier has ranked No. 1, ending Delta’s four-year winning streak.
RYANAIR C.E.O. FIRES BACK AFTER MUSK FLOATS BUYING EUROPE’S LARGEST AIRLINE
According to The Journal, Southwest had the fewest customer complaints and tarmac delays, boasting a cancellation rate of just 0.84%. However, its lowest score was in baggage handling.
Southwest Airlines and American Airlines planes on the tarmac at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Getty Images)
In recent years, the airline has made headlines for reducing its workforce by 15% and introducing fees for checked bags.
2. Allegiant
Allegiant Air secured the second position, earning accolades as a strong performer despite being a low-cost carrier.
The airline excelled in three key areas: it posted the lowest cancellation rate at 0.55%, had the fewest lost bags, and recorded the least number of involuntary passenger bumps. However, when Allegiant flights are delayed, those delays tend to last longer than the industry average.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” will include funds to overhaul air traffic control technology, which the CEOs are publicly backing. (Credit: United States Department of Transportation)
3. Delta
Delta Air Lines came in third, slipping from its previous No. 1 position. The airline expressed its intention to reclaim the top spot in 2026, stating, “Delta people set the bar high for airline performance as part of our drive for continuous improvement.”
Although Delta led the industry in on-time arrivals, The Journal noted that its 2024 summer system outage, which caused widespread flight disruptions, negatively impacted its 2025 performance. The airline also experienced increases in delays, cancellations, and complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian speaks to ‘The Claman Countdown’ about the company’s developments at the CES 2025.
4. Alaska
Alaska Airlines was recognized as a steady, reliable performer, although it lagged behind the top three. There was a noticeable gap between Alaska and the airlines ranked below it.
While it didn’t lead in any major category, Alaska avoided serious operational breakdowns in 2025. The carrier is expected to integrate Hawaiian Airlines data following its planned merger in 2026.
5. Spirit
Despite its reputation for no-frills service and ongoing financial struggles, Spirit Airlines saw the most significant year-over-year improvement.
The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly discusses how Spirit Airlines’ bankruptcy could impact travel.
Spirit cut its cancellation rate to 1.42%, down from its 2024 high, and jumped to fourth place in on-time arrivals, demonstrating operational gains even as it faced bankruptcy proceedings.
6. United
United Airlines ranked sixth, primarily due to its poor performance in baggage handling. The carrier’s mishandled-bag rate was 7.07 per 1,000, significantly above the industry average, and its tracking technology failed to yield better results.
7. JetBlue
JetBlue Airways ranked near the bottom but managed to avoid last place. It performed relatively well in baggage handling—second only to Allegiant—but struggled with reliability and flight delays.
American Airlines launches luxury amenity kits with Joanna Vargas skincare and Bollinger Champagne service.
8. American, Frontier (tie)
Travelers should be cautious, as American Airlines and Frontier tied for last place in The Journal’s rankings. Both companies faced challenges with reliability and “outside issues,” impacting passengers significantly.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
American had the highest cancellation rate of all major airlines at 2.2% and rarely ranked higher than sixth in any category. The company attributed its poor performance to weather and hub disruptions. Notably, in January of last year, one of its regional jets collided with an Army helicopter in D.C., resulting in 67 fatalities.
Frontier ranked last in four of seven categories and found itself at the bottom for the second consecutive year. The company’s bid to acquire Spirit was rejected earlier in the year, and its CEO Barry Biffle unexpectedly departed Frontier in December.
