Never before has travel been easier. From quick jaunts across the country to international tours from one country to another, there are more than 390 U.S.-based airline businesses that stand ready to transport you pretty much wherever you want to go. But, like with many conveniences, convenience comes at a price. Today’s cost of fuel has certainly impacted how much you’ll pay for a plane ticket that, at base price, can seem quite high to begin with. Tack on taxes and baggage fees, and you could find yourself less than jet-set. This is why we’ve pulled together a list of the three best U.S. airlines to consider to get you where you want to go safely and affordably. All based on the things you want and the experiences of other customers, here are the best airlines to consider for your next getaway.
The Top 3 U.S. Airlines to Fly Based on Customer Satisfaction
Delta
Delta Airlines ranks high in the minds of travelers, as evidenced by the Wall Street Business Journal’s report that Delta was the number one airline to travel in 2021. Delta earned its number one status based on outranking the competition for things like on-time arrivals, preventing extreme delays and involuntary bumping, and the lowest U.S. Department of Transportation complaints — all criteria consumers expect to be met with excellence. Fast-forward to 2022, and Delta continues to attract consumers as they remain the most awarded airline in the industry, receiving top honors for its customer service, flexibility, reliability, safety, the lowest rate of cancellations, least delays, and the least mishandled luggage–to name a few.
With an expanded network of partner carriers and destinations, Delta can deploy more than 4,000 flights every day, connecting people across more than 275 destinations on six continents. When you’re ready for take-off and choose Delta, you’ll find your airfare for the seemingly high-cost carrier to be comparable and, on occasion, cheaper than low-cost carriers. Economy seating on the airline provides travelers with an inexpensive, safe flight on a reputable airline that will charge you just $30 for a checked bag if you’re towing more than what your free carry-on will hold.
Southwest
Southwest Airlines offers more than 4,000 flights to and from 121 airports across 11 countries. Southwest prides itself in prioritizing people, and this means its employees and its customers happily do business with the airline. According to Southwest, “The mission of Southwest Airlines is a dedication to the highest quality of Customer Service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and Company Spirit.” With each ticket purchased, consumers find they are true to their mission.
With Southwest, you can change or cancel your flight even up to ten minutes before departure. If you do this, the airline never charges fees for the changes because, according to Southwest, “We understand plans change.” And, if your new flight costs less, Southwest will refund the difference to the original form of payment (if applicable), or the difference will be held for future use in the form of a flight credit. Once aboard the plane, passengers receive an in-flight beverage and snack service delivered by Southwest’s friendly, accommodating attendants. All in all, with its consistently excellent customer service and most competitive pricing that won’t stick you for traveling with a couple of checked bags, when it comes to domestic or international travel, Southwest ranks high for budget-conscious consumers.
JetBlue
Though they offer fewer flights per day than Southwest, consumers love JetBlue for their dedication to an excellent business-class or economy flight. In 2022, JetBlue averaged 925 flights per day to 100 cities across the United States. And their offering expands beyond U.S. borders as they also host travelers to and from London, Canada, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The New York-headquartered airline claims its values of safety, caring, integrity, passion, and fun inspires its culture and guides the decisions they make every day. To this, JetBlue pays the attendants and pilots more than the national average and ensures they don’t pay a dime for a place to stay while traveling. These perks, plus the known positive culture of the airline, contribute to a good in-flight experience wherein passengers are well-attended in the air as they enjoy complimentary brand-name snacks and beverages.
When it’s time to get packin’ with JetBlue, you can plan for fewer extra fees. Your right-sized carry-on is always free, which can’t be said for every airline anymore. Your checked bags may require a fee, but they don’t have to. JetBlue offers any and every customer the option of joining their loyalty program called TrueBlue. TrueBlue members earn points that, after just a few flights, allow you to check a bag at no charge. If you’re loyalty program averse, no problem. Members of the military and JetBlue Plus credit card holders will get a free checked bag. And, even if you don’t boast those statuses, JetBlue still offers you the lowest price for checking a bag, which is $35.
Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue are not just any three airlines you may consider when you want to get away. These airlines come with reputations that, for now, exceed those of other carriers. Their commitments to affordability and the treatment of their employees and customers put them miles ahead of the competition. And, when you’re paying to be taken miles from home, you want to go in the care of one of these top-rated carriers. For more information on the airline industry and its constituents, go to the Federal Aviation Administration’s website, where you’ll have access to the government’s expectations for aviation excellence.
Links:
https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/domestic-airlines-united-states/
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2022-north-america-airline-satisfaction-study
https://swamedia.com/pages/corporate-fact-sheet