They fly high.
The Points Guy (TPG) has named Delta Air Lines the best airline in the U.S. for 2025, marking its seventh consecutive year at the top.
Top Tier Career also recognized Delta as the most reliable on-time airline.
This ranking aims to assist consumers in navigating the shifting landscape of air travel, according to founder Brian Kelly.
While Delta didn’t dominate every category, it was recognized for being relatively affordable and for its Skymiles Rewards program. Its overall performance surpassed competitors across four key metrics.
“Delta’s strength in our analysis for 2025 showcased consistent improvement across all categories we reviewed,” TPG noted. They evaluated a range of factors, including airline operations and customer experiences both in-flight and at the airport.
In December, Delta partnered with Shake Shack to offer its popular cheeseburger to passengers in premium cabins on flights exceeding 900 miles.
United Airlines climbed to second place, up from third in the previous year, and made significant gains in loyalty rankings and overall passenger experience.
With a recent partnership, the “Blue Sky” deal with JetBlue, United might soar even higher next year, as reported by CBS.
To arrive at the rankings, the TPG team analyzed airlines across four categories: reliability (looking at delays, cancellations, lost baggage), passenger experience (considering in-flight amenities and customer satisfaction), loyalty programs, and pricing as well as reach of each carrier.
They then rated airlines on a scale from zero to ten.
According to TPG’s report, which used data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, including passenger complaints and operational stats, the evaluation process involved insights from Cirium on international route networks and considered financial performance along with fleet data.
“Our rankings provide a detailed comparison of airline performance, helping consumers make informed choices, as not all airlines measure up equally,” Kelly added. “Ultimately, we aim to empower consumers with options for their travel needs.”
In the rankings, Alaska Airlines placed fourth, followed by Hawaiian Airlines. Southwest Airlines climbed to third position, credited to having the industry’s lowest cancellation rate in 2024.
Though they maintained cost efficiency last year, budget carriers might face challenges ahead, especially with new fees for checked bags and a shift from the “First Come, First Serve” seating policy.
The top five included Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines.
10 Best Airlines for TPG 2025
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JetBlue
- American Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- Spirit Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
Interestingly, American Airlines experienced the most significant drop in rankings, falling to third place overall.
As AA works to catch up with Delta and United in profitability, there’s a notable emphasis on enhancing business-class offerings and premium amenities.
Budget airlines such as Allegiant, Spirit, and Frontier ranked at the bottom, struggling with numerous add-on fees and lacking competitive loyalty programs.
Unfortunately, U.S. airlines didn’t perform well on the international stage either.
In the latest SkyTrax rankings for 2025, Delta ranked the highest among U.S. carriers but still fell to 22nd place overall, while United followed at 51st. Air Canada topped the list of North American airlines, with Delta and Porter Airlines rounding out the top three.
