With airfare up 7.9% last year, WalletHub’s new 2025 airline rankings are set to be a critical piece of the air travel puzzle. The finance site’s study compares 11 major and regional U.S. airlines using 14 key metrics that go beyond price. The goal: help travelers make smarter choices based on real-world performance, not just discount fares. The report looks at the overall travel experience, which includes aspects like safety, delays, baggage issues, pet incidents and more. Here are some of the highlights from the report.
The best overall airline is none other than Spirit Airlines—yes, really. Often dismissed as bare-bones, Spirit received the top WalletHub Score (69.12), thanks to strong showings in safety and cost-efficiency. It beat out SkyWest Airlines (68.08), which came in second.
If reliability is your priority, Delta is your best bet. The airline had the fewest cancellations, delays, mishandled bags and denied boardings. SkyWest also ranked high in reliability.
Safety-wise, Spirit leads again, with the fewest incidents per 100,000 flight operations, no fatalities and one of the newest fleets. Frontier took second place.
Traveling with pets? SkyWest, United and Envoy Air all had zero reported pet incidents, making them the top picks for flying with furry companions.
Comfort seekers should look to JetBlue and Hawaiian, which topped the list for in-flight experience thanks to free Wi-Fi, roomy seating and complimentary snacks.
From safety stats to snack options, WalletHub’s rankings offer a fuller picture of what you’re really getting when you book that ticket. Find the report here.
Best airlines, according to WalletHub
- Spirit Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Southwest Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- Envoy Air