Get All Access for $5/mo

The Points Guy Names the No. 1 Airline in the U.S. Is It Your Favorite Too? United, American, Delta, Southwest and Alaska were the top five airlines in the nation. Which soared to number one?

By Dan Bova Edited by Jessica Thomas

Jag_cz | Shutterstock

Every year, the travel-obsessed website The Points Guy takes a look at national airline data, and after taking into account factors like affordability, reliability, cancellations and cabin features, names the top 10 airlines in the country.

Related: Southwest Airlines' CEO Got a 75% Pay Bump Ahead of the Holiday Travel Catastrophe

This year, Delta Air Lines soared to the top spot — again. It's the fifth straight year the Atlanta-based carrier has been named number one, achieving an overall score of 66.31 out of 100. "When you buy an airline ticket, especially an expensive one these days, you need to get where you're going, and Delta shines there," Brian Kelly, founder and CEO of The Points Guy, told CBS News.

Here are The Point Guy's complete top 10 rankings

(Based on data from Jan. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2022.)

1. Delta Air Lines

  • Score: 66.31
  • Best areas: Timeliness, involuntary bumps
  • Worst areas: Affordability

2. United Airlines

  • Score: 62.47
  • Best areas: Family travel, route network, frequent flyer program
  • Worst areas: Baggage, affordability

3. Alaska Airlines

  • Score: 60.54
  • Best areas: Lounges, customer satisfaction
  • Worst areas: Baggage

4. American Airlines

  • Score: 59.83
  • Best areas: Route network, award availability
  • Worst areas: Baggage, affordability

5. Southwest Airlines

  • Score: 56.29
  • Best areas: Bag/change fees, award availability
  • Worst areas: Cancellations, lounges

6. Hawaiian Airlines

  • Score: 54.71
  • Best areas: Cancellations, involuntary bumps
  • Worst areas: Route network

7. JetBlue Airways

  • Score: 47.68
  • Best areas: Cabin features
  • Worst areas: Timeliness, cancellations, wheelchairs/scooters

8. Spirit Airlines

  • Score: 38.99
  • Best areas: Affordability
  • Worst areas: Wheelchairs/scooters, route network

9. Allegiant Air

  • Score: 37.04
  • Best areas: Involuntary bumps, baggage, wheelchairs/scooters
  • Worst areas: Timeliness, cabin features, family

10. Frontier Airlines

  • Score: 27.74
  • Best areas: Affordability
  • Worst areas: Involuntary bumps, customer satisfaction, bag/change fees, award availability

Although Delta was the big winner, The Points Guy team notes that the airline's overall score dropped by nearly 6% compared to last year. The second, third and fourth-place finishers (Alaska, American and United, respectively) all increased their scores. "Only time will tell if this was an aberration or if Delta's reign at the top is at risk of coming to an end," they write.

Related: Delta CEO Warns of Higher Tickets Prices Coming This Summer Due to Government Regulations

Dan Bova

Entrepreneur Staff

VP of Special Projects

Dan Bova is the VP of Special Projects at Entrepreneur.com. He previously worked at Jimmy Kimmel Live, Maxim, and Spy magazine. His latest books for kids include This Day in History, Car and Driver's Trivia ZoneRoad & Track Crew's Big & Fast Cars, The Big Little Book of Awesome Stuff, and Wendell the Werewolf

Read his humor column This Should Be Fun if you want to feel better about yourself.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Franchise

Kick-Start Your Small Business With These Cost Effective Strategies

Starting a small business is an exciting adventure, brimming with both opportunities and challenges. A key to success is effectively managing costs from the outset.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Leadership

7 Telltale Signs of a Weak Leader

Whether a bully or a people pleaser who can't tell hard truths, poor leadership takes many forms.

Business News

'I'm Shocked': Costco Customers Are Freaking Out About a Change to a Beloved Bakery Item

Costco customers are feeling burnt by a not-so-sweet switcheroo in the bakery department.

Living

70% of Small Business Owners Experience Monthly Burnout. Follow These 3 Rules to Avoid the Same Fate.

Here are three guidelines to help entrepreneurs achieve balance, growth and success in both their professional and personal endeavors.