Best US airlines for 2025 revealed — and one topped the list for the seventh straight year
They're flying high.
Travel blog The Points Guy (TPG) has named the best airlines in the US for 2025 — with Delta Airlines taking the crown for the seventh year in a row.
The top-tier carrier was also named the most reliable on-time airline in America.
Advertisement
The rankings were devised to 'help consumers navigate the constantly changing aviation landscape' that's rife with 'changing airline policies, systemic delays and increased scrutiny on air travel,' per the site's founder Brian Kelly.
5 Delta Airlines nabbed the top spot for the seventh year in a row.
kamilpetran – stock.adobe.com
While they didn't place first across all other categories — notably falling short in affordability and the mileage customers got out of the SkyMiles rewards program — Delta soared above the competition due to their collective performance across four separate metrics.
Advertisement
'What put Delta over the top in 2025 was its strength across all the categories we analyzed, from the consistently strong, on-time airline operation it runs to the experience customers have at the airport and in their seats,' TPG wrote in their report.
In December, Delta Air Lines collaborated with Shake Shack to bring the fast-food giant's popular cheeseburgers to first-class cabins on domestic flights traveling more than 900 miles.
United Airlines came in second place, rising from third last year. The carrier eclipsed Delta when it came to loyalty rankings and also improved in two main categories compared to last year: overall reliability and passenger experience.
Advertisement
United could potentially fly even higher next year due to the recently announced 'Blue Sky' agreement with JetBlue, which will increase the airline's footprint and improve perks for loyalty members, CBS reported.
To compile the list, the Points Guy team analyzed each airline across four categories: reliability (based on delays, cancellations, lost luggage and more), passenger experience (inflight amenities, customer satisfaction, lounges, etc.), the caliber of the airline's loyalty program, and the cost and reach of each carrier.
They then rated them on a scale of zero to 10.
5 United placed second overall.
robin – stock.adobe.com
Advertisement
TPG based its list on 2024 data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, including passenger complaints filed with the DOT, along with mishandled baggage reports for each carrier and operational data.
TPG also examined international route networks using aviation analytics firm Cirium — although they emphasized domestic networks — as well as each carrier's financials and publicly available fleet information.
'Our Best Airlines Report thoroughly analyzes and compares each airline's performance to help consumers make the right choice for them, because not all airlines are created equal,' TPG's Kelly added. 'Ultimately, we want consumers to know they have a choice so they can fly the airlines that best align with their needs.'
5 Airlines — including Alaska, above, which ranked fourth — were rated across several categories from reliability to the power of their loyalty programs.
KKF – stock.adobe.com
Southwest Airlines jumped up two spots to notch the No. 3 position, which TPG attributed, in part, to the carrier boasting the lowest cancellation rate in the industry for 2024.
They noted that the carrier maintained its cost and reach last year — thanks, in part, to the lack of add-on fees.
However, the budget carrier could face some headwinds next year following some major changes, including the rollout of checked bag fees and the phase-out of their popular 'first come, first served' policy in favor of the more standard assigned seating.
Rounding out the top five were Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
Advertisement
5 'Our Best Airlines Report thoroughly analyzes and compares each airline's performance to help consumers make the right choice for them, because not all airlines are created equal,' The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly said. 'Ultimately, we want consumers to know they have a choice so they can fly the airlines that best align with their needs.'
Lukas Gojda – stock.adobe.com
5 Southwest Airlines made the top three.
Carlos Yudica – stock.adobe.com
TPG's 10 Best Airlines for 2025
Delta Air Lines United Airlines Southwest Airlines Alaska Airlines Hawaiian Airlines JetBlue American Airlines Allegiant Air Spirit Airlines Frontier Airlines
Other takeaways included that American Airlines saw the biggest year-over-year decline in rankings, plunging three spots to seventh overall.
Advertisement
That fall from grace comes as AA plays catch-up to United and Delta in terms of profitability, as well as upmarket amenities such as business-class seats, cabin features and lounges.
Budget airlines Allegiant, Spirit and Frontier occupied the last three spots in the rankings, which TPG attributed to their myriad add-on fees, lacking loyalty programs and amenities that paled in comparison to the competition.
Unfortunately, U.S. airlines fared poorly on the international stage, too.
Advertisement
In Skytrax's recent ranking of the best airlines in the world for 2025, Delta placed the highest on list — but in an abysmal 22nd place, followed by United in a miserable 51st.
Meanwhile, Air Canada topped the list of North America's top airlines for 2025, Delta came in second, and Canadian carrier Porter Airlines rounded out the top three.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
JD Vance Becomes Most Blocked Person on BlueSky Days After Joining App
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Vice President JD Vance became the most blocked user on Bluesky days after joining the social media platform. According to ClearSky, a data tracker that monitors user activity, Vance has been blocked by over 111,000 users—the highest total since the app launched last February. Vance's rapid block tally eclipsed the previous record held by journalist Jesse Singal, who had 81,270 blocks as of Friday. Newsweek contacted representatives for Vance to comment on this story. Why It Matters Bluesky, launched by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in 2021 and made public in 2024, has become a popular alternative to Elon Musk's X, formerly Twitter, which reflects deepening divides in American online communities. Once X adopted less stringent content moderation after Musk acquired the platform, many left-leaning and LGBTQ+ users joined Bluesky, believing it to be more inclusive environment and progressive moderation policies. Vice President JD Vance speaks at the American Compass's The New World Gala in Washington, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Vice President JD Vance speaks at the American Compass's The New World Gala in Washington, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein Following Donald Trump's 2024 electoral victory and additional shifts on X, Bluesky's user base climbed from 10 million to 30 million between November 2024 and May 2025, the New York Post reported. What To Know JD Vance joined Bluesky on June 18, 2025. In his first post, he wrote: "I've been told this app has become the place to go for common sense political discussion and analysis. So I'm thrilled to be here to engage with all of you," He then referenced the recent Supreme Court decision upholding Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors, writing: "I found Justice Clarence Thomas's concurrence on medical care for transgender youth quite illuminating," and suggesting that " are receiving substantial resources from big pharma to push these medicines on kids." Vance's account was suspended within 12 minutes due to Bluesky's automated impersonation-detection system, but it was reinstated and verified soon after. What People Are Saying Jennifer Stromer-Galley, professor in the school of information studies at Syracuse University told Newsweek: Vance "could improve his standing on social media by stopping his trolling of science, expertise, and transgender youth. BlueSky is the social media platform where left-leaning people have congregated as they fled X. Vance created his account and in his first post attacks science and support for gender-affirming care. So, no surprise he was blocked widely on BlueSky." Scott Talan, senior professorial lecturer public communication at American University in Washington D.C told Newsweek: "It is not surprising at all as Bluesky is predominantly populated by left leaning users and the Vice President has made numerous comments that many on the Left would find to be oppositional at the minimum. "Social media in its earlier life was promised to be a place for 'conversation' and connection. Today's politics is more polarized and hyper partisan. So, on social media political points are made versus any sort of substantive discussion. Blocking JD Vance fits this perfectly. This said, some may argue he went on Bluesky to troll users there. He's joining the party on that site rather late in the game and he couldn't expect to warmly welcomed there." George Takei, actor and activist, posted to his 1.2 million followers: "Treat JD Vance on Bluesky like we did Donald's birthday parade. Ignore it, don't show up to watch it, and he will soon become sad and dejected" (The Daily Beast, June 19, 2025). Jesse Singal, journalist, joked about losing his status as most-blocked user: "This isn't happening. You work hard your whole life to achieve something great and then some idiot can just come along and snatch it." What Happens Next With Vance's account now the most blocked in Bluesky's history, he will struggle to reach a wide userbase Whether Vance will continue using Bluesky—or shift his focus back to X or other social media platforms.
New York Post
5 hours ago
- New York Post
Best US airlines for 2025 revealed — and one topped the list for the seventh straight year
They're flying high. Travel blog The Points Guy (TPG) has named the best airlines in the US for 2025 — with Delta Airlines taking the crown for the seventh year in a row. The top-tier carrier was also named the most reliable on-time airline in America. Advertisement The rankings were devised to 'help consumers navigate the constantly changing aviation landscape' that's rife with 'changing airline policies, systemic delays and increased scrutiny on air travel,' per the site's founder Brian Kelly. 5 Delta Airlines nabbed the top spot for the seventh year in a row. kamilpetran – While they didn't place first across all other categories — notably falling short in affordability and the mileage customers got out of the SkyMiles rewards program — Delta soared above the competition due to their collective performance across four separate metrics. Advertisement 'What put Delta over the top in 2025 was its strength across all the categories we analyzed, from the consistently strong, on-time airline operation it runs to the experience customers have at the airport and in their seats,' TPG wrote in their report. In December, Delta Air Lines collaborated with Shake Shack to bring the fast-food giant's popular cheeseburgers to first-class cabins on domestic flights traveling more than 900 miles. United Airlines came in second place, rising from third last year. The carrier eclipsed Delta when it came to loyalty rankings and also improved in two main categories compared to last year: overall reliability and passenger experience. Advertisement United could potentially fly even higher next year due to the recently announced 'Blue Sky' agreement with JetBlue, which will increase the airline's footprint and improve perks for loyalty members, CBS reported. To compile the list, the Points Guy team analyzed each airline across four categories: reliability (based on delays, cancellations, lost luggage and more), passenger experience (inflight amenities, customer satisfaction, lounges, etc.), the caliber of the airline's loyalty program, and the cost and reach of each carrier. They then rated them on a scale of zero to 10. 5 United placed second overall. robin – Advertisement TPG based its list on 2024 data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, including passenger complaints filed with the DOT, along with mishandled baggage reports for each carrier and operational data. TPG also examined international route networks using aviation analytics firm Cirium — although they emphasized domestic networks — as well as each carrier's financials and publicly available fleet information. 'Our Best Airlines Report thoroughly analyzes and compares each airline's performance to help consumers make the right choice for them, because not all airlines are created equal,' TPG's Kelly added. 'Ultimately, we want consumers to know they have a choice so they can fly the airlines that best align with their needs.' 5 Airlines — including Alaska, above, which ranked fourth — were rated across several categories from reliability to the power of their loyalty programs. KKF – Southwest Airlines jumped up two spots to notch the No. 3 position, which TPG attributed, in part, to the carrier boasting the lowest cancellation rate in the industry for 2024. They noted that the carrier maintained its cost and reach last year — thanks, in part, to the lack of add-on fees. However, the budget carrier could face some headwinds next year following some major changes, including the rollout of checked bag fees and the phase-out of their popular 'first come, first served' policy in favor of the more standard assigned seating. Rounding out the top five were Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Advertisement 5 'Our Best Airlines Report thoroughly analyzes and compares each airline's performance to help consumers make the right choice for them, because not all airlines are created equal,' The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly said. 'Ultimately, we want consumers to know they have a choice so they can fly the airlines that best align with their needs.' Lukas Gojda – 5 Southwest Airlines made the top three. Carlos Yudica – TPG's 10 Best Airlines for 2025 Delta Air Lines United Airlines Southwest Airlines Alaska Airlines Hawaiian Airlines JetBlue American Airlines Allegiant Air Spirit Airlines Frontier Airlines Other takeaways included that American Airlines saw the biggest year-over-year decline in rankings, plunging three spots to seventh overall. Advertisement That fall from grace comes as AA plays catch-up to United and Delta in terms of profitability, as well as upmarket amenities such as business-class seats, cabin features and lounges. Budget airlines Allegiant, Spirit and Frontier occupied the last three spots in the rankings, which TPG attributed to their myriad add-on fees, lacking loyalty programs and amenities that paled in comparison to the competition. Unfortunately, U.S. airlines fared poorly on the international stage, too. Advertisement In Skytrax's recent ranking of the best airlines in the world for 2025, Delta placed the highest on list — but in an abysmal 22nd place, followed by United in a miserable 51st. Meanwhile, Air Canada topped the list of North America's top airlines for 2025, Delta came in second, and Canadian carrier Porter Airlines rounded out the top three.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Did Cotton Prices Just Hit a Bottom After Falling to a 9-Week Low?
July ICE cotton futures (CTN25) were under modest selling pressure on Wednesday and slipped to a nine-week low below 65 cents a pound. The overall technical posture for the cotton futures market favors the bears as prices are in a seven-week downtrend on the daily bar chart. However, there are also some early, bullish clues that the cotton market has forged a price bottom. Since scoring a contract low of 62.05 cents a pound on April 4, July cotton futures have chopped in a sideways trading range. This is likely 'basing' action on the daily chart that has put in a price bottom. Coffee Prices Plummet on an Improved Supply Outlook Coffee Prices Sink on the Outlook for Ample Supplies Can Soybean Prices Keep Trending Higher? Stop Missing Market Moves: Get the FREE Barchart Brief – your midday dose of stock movers, trending sectors, and actionable trade ideas, delivered right to your inbox. Sign Up Now! With a price bottom likely in place, the cotton bulls now need some bullish fundamental news to start a price uptrend. Last week's monthly USDA supply and demand report had some price-friendly elements for the cotton market. The 2025/26 marketing year U.S. cotton balance sheet was revised to show lower production, beginning stocks, and ending stocks, with consumption, imports, and exports unchanged from last month. U.S. harvested area was lowered 2% to 8.19 million acres following extensive rainfall and delayed planting in the Delta. The national average yield for 2025/26 was reduced more than 1% from last month's report, to 820 pounds per harvested acre, also because of the conditions in the Delta. As a result, U.S. cotton production was forecast down 500,000 bales, to 14.0 million, and is below the 14.4 million bales produced in 2024/25 and the second-smallest crop in the past decade. Beginning U.S. stocks for the 2025/26 marketing year were reduced 400,000 bales following a corresponding increase in projected U.S. exports for 2024/25. As a result, 2025/26 ending stocks were lowered 900,000 bales to 4.3 million, for a stocks-to-use ratio of 30.3%. The projected season-average price for 2025/26 was unchanged in the USDA June report, at 62 cents per pound. For the 2025/26 marketing year, USDA forecast downwardly revised global cotton production, consumption, beginning and ending stocks, and world trade. World production was lowered over 800,000 bales as a 1-million-bale increase for China was more than offset by reductions for India, the United States, and Pakistan. Global consumption was reduced by over 300,000 bales for 2025/26. Beginning world cotton stocks for 2025/26 were lowered over 1.1 million bales, largely reflecting a 1-million-bale reduction in India's 2024/25 crop. As a result, global ending stocks for 2025/26 were lowered by nearly 1.6 million bales, primarily reflecting the reduction in beginning stocks and a decrease in production that exceeds the decrease in consumption. USDA's June supply and demand report also showed the agency forecast 2024/25 China cotton imports at the lowest level in eight years, at 5.5 million bales – roughly one-third of last year's volume. 'Several factors have pressured demand: the highest domestic production in nearly a decade, lower consumption, and less demand for government reserves.' China's 2024/25 cotton production is estimated nearly 4.7 million bales higher, at 32.0 million bales, on record yields in the Xinjiang autonomous region. Meanwhile, consumption is projected to fall nearly 2.0 million bales, to 37.0 million. At the start of the marketing year, the volume of foreign cotton in bonded warehouses was at the second-highest level for data going back to 2015. Therefore, plentiful supplies coupled with lower operating rates have driven down imports. Chinese companies are shifting production to their Vietnamese mills, spurring greater cotton consumption and imports in Vietnam. USDA's 2025/26 global outlook sees world cotton production forecast down 800,000 bales, to 117.0 million, as smaller crops in India, Pakistan, and the United States more than offset a larger crop in China. Global consumption is forecast down 300,000 bales, to 117.8 million, on lower supplies but remains the highest level in five years. USDA lowered global cotton ending stocks by 1.6 million bales, to 76.8 million, on lower production and beginning stocks in the United States. There's an old trading adage: 'Never short a dull market.' The past five weeks have seen choppy and sideways price action in July cotton futures. The price-bullish basing price action I mentioned above has arisen from the dull market conditions. Still, the cotton market needs a jolt of bullish fundamental news to generate a solid price uptrend. The U.S. stock indexes have been trending up and recently hit multi-month highs. That's bullish for cotton. The down-trending U.S. Dollar Index and up-trending crude oil prices are bullish 'outside-market' factors for the natural fiber. However, what the cotton market bulls really needs is a continued thawing in U.S.-China trade relations (China is a major cotton importer) and some drier and hotter weather in U.S. cotton regions — namely Texas. Both elements are entirely possible in the coming weeks. My bias is that the cotton futures market has put in a major price bottom, but prices will continue to chop sideways until some fresh, bullish fundamental news arises to start a new price uptrend. I think that news will come sooner rather than later. On the date of publication, Jim Wyckoff did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
