The best and worst US airlines for 2022
Air travel has rebounded more than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic and is nearing a full return to normal following the end of the federal mask mandate this week. With more travelers taking to the skies compared to the previous two years, choosing the right airline could prove more challenging. Personal finance website WalletHub recently compared the nine largest U.S. carriers along with two regional carriers across more than a dozen key metrics to determine the best and worst domestic airlines for 2022. Experts analyzed flight delay and cancellation rates as well as animal incidents, safety, in-flight comfort and cost, among other important factors. Here’s how the latest rankings shake out.
11. Southwest Airlines
Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines rounds out this year’s WalletHub rankings with a disappointing score of 30.60, which is fewer than half that of the nation’s leading airline. Southwest was held back by the lowest reliability score of any airline (7.84) after excelling in the all-important category in 2021 (26.8).
10. American Airlines
American Airlines scored considerably better than Southwest at 41.4 overall but also failed to win a single category, earning poor marks for reliability (14.24) and trailing most other carriers in terms of comfort (4 out of 5) and cost (9.89 cents per mile).
9. JetBlue
Despite ranking ninth with an overall score of 43.34, JetBlue was recognized for its stellar in-flight experience, being named the Most Comfortable Airline for 2022. Passengers flying JetBlue can look forward to a handful of complimentary amenities, including free Wi-Fi, extra legroom and refreshments.
8. Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines (50.65) was named the Cheapest Airline and therefore the best for budget-conscious travelers this year. Frontier’s cost of airfare in terms of cents per mile in 2022 came in at just 3.53. Unlike other carriers, that figure has been decreasing every year since 2016.
7. United Airlines
While United Airlines ranks seventh with an overall score of 56.30, the airline is fewer than five points worse than the third-ranked carrier (61.04). United earned one of the best reliability scores at 26.67, scored a 4.5 out of 5 for comfort and turned in a consumer complaint rate of 4.93 compared to 29.73 in 2021.
6. SkyWest Airlines
North America’s largest regional airline, SkyWest Airlines (57.01) had the lowest consumer complaint rate of any of the 11 leading U.S. carriers at 0.92. and tied for the Most Pet-Friendly Airline with a perfect animal incidents score of 5 out of 5.
5. Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines (59.22) ranks the highest among the ultra-low-cost carriers despite having the highest consumer complaint rate at 11.45. However, Spirit’s safety score (26.94) is one of the best in the nation and only Frontier is more affordable (3.82 cents per mile).
4. Envoy Air
American Airlines Group subsidiary Envoy Air is a surprise entry in the top five for 2022. Despite a lackluster reliability score of just 16.52 and a hefty price tag of 12.42 cents per mile, Envoy Air had a flawless animal incidents score (5 out of 5), one of the lowest consumer-complaint rates (1.59) and the second-best safety score (26.96).
3. Alaska Airlines
WalletHub found Alaska Airlines (61.04) to be the Safest Airline for 2022 as it earned a nation-best safety score of 27.18, up from 20.55 a year ago. Alaska also fared decently for reliability (20.28), comfort (4.5 out of 5) and affordability (8.48 cents per mile).
2. Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines separated itself from the pack with an impressive WalletHub score of 67 but still fell short of the number one spot for 2022. Although the carrier didn’t win any single category and earned a 2 out of 5 for comfort, it scored the second-best for reliability (30.44), fourth-best for safety (26.39) and surprisingly well in terms of cost (8.89 cents per mile).
1. Delta Air Lines
In addition to the Best Airline Overall, WalletHub found Delta Air Lines (70.48) to be the nation’s Most Reliable Airline as it turned in the lowest rate of cancellations, delays, mishandled luggage and denied boardings. Delta also tied for the Best Airline for Pets, reporting zero incidents.