The Best Airlines In America For 2025, According To J.D. Power

Forbes

07-05-2025

A new report ranks the best airlines in America, including the U.S. and Canada. getty
What are the best airlines to fly in 2025? After recent turbulence in the airline industry—including high-profile crashes, economic troubles, industry shakeups and more—a new report from J.D. Power reveals which carriers in the U.S. and Canada are still winning over passengers.
J.D. Power—an expert in consumer insights, data and analytics—has been tracking the state of the airline industry since 1993 and ranking the carriers. In 2022, J.D. Power started breaking down its annual North America Airline Satisfaction Study by cabin class: first/business class, premium economy and economy/basic economy.
The 2025 report reflects the feedback from more than 10,000 travelers and evaluates the airlines across several key dimensions, from onboard service and ease of travel to value for money.
But the study doesn't just name winners—it also tracks the trends that are shaping air travel. So what is the state of air travel in 2025? 'I'd describe it as a 'come down from the sugar high of the past few years,' Michael Taylor, travel intelligence lead at J.D. Power, told me in an interview. 'Post-pandemic travel demand was stronger than anyone anticipated, but as with all things; what can't go on forever, won't.'
With travel demand softening, concerns around tariffs and issues like pilot shortages, travel in the coming year will be a regression to the mean, says Talor. 'There are still systemic issues that prevent most airlines from maximizing their revenues: aircraft deliveries, pilot availability, stalling domestic demand and uncertainty about peoples' reactions to tariffs and how that will affect their travel decisions,' says Taylor.
Still, this year's report still has a bit of good news: Overall satisfaction with the airlines is up six points over 2024. The Best Airline For First/Business Class
This year, JetBlue Airways—which also ranked first in 2023—rose to the top of the first/business class rankings, thanks to its Mint experience. This section offers lie-flat seats, elevated dining and a sleek design. 'Their Mint product is very well-received by upper class cabin flyers,' says Taylor.
The airline's staff has also helped propel JetBlue to the top. 'Over the years, J.D. Power has noted that the airlines that can create a positive emotional attachment among crew and flyers do very well in creating satisfaction and loyalty,' says Taylor. 'Although physical attributes within the aircraft are important to first- and business-class flyers, JetBlue has put a lot of effort into 'people skills' to create an even more positive experience in that cabin class.'
Delta comes in second place for first/business, followed by Alaska Airlines. American Airlines ranks last place. The Best Airline For Premium Economy
Delta, meanwhile, tops the premium economy category for a third year in a row. The reason? 'Basically, the same reason that JetBlue does well in Mint,' says Taylor. 'Delta has spent years and millions of dollars training in-flight personnel to create a 'one-on-one' experience. Delta's people skills have improved over the past seven to eight years and it has paid off in a perception that Delta is more 'customer-focused' than 'bottom-line focused.'
And even though the airlines don't have an international-style premium product, JetBlue and Alaska follow close behind at number two and three—indicating that passengers may value legroom and consistency as much as seat width and recline. WestJet ranks last for premium economy. The Best Airline For Economy/Basic Economy
This year, Southwest once again dominated the economy rankings—taking the top spot for the fourth year in a row. Its customer-friendly policies (two free checked bags, no change fees, open seating) have long set the airline apart, though changes are on the way. Starting May 28, the airline will roll out new baggage fees, assigned seating and more—which could impact the airline's rankings, predicts Taylor.
'For some time now, Southwest has been top-rated in both 'value for price paid' and 'airline staff' for the economy cabin. These are their chief strengths,' says Taylor. 'However, with the introduction of bag fees and coming changes to boarding procedures, it might be difficult for Southwest to dominate the economy category as it has been doing for years.'
JetBlue comes in second in the economy rankings, followed by Delta in the third spot. At the other end of the spectrum is ultra-low-cost carrier Frontier, which finishes last—despite rolling out product updates aimed at wooing more mainstream customers. Trends In Airline Travel
So why are satisfaction scores rising in 2025—especially in a year when public anxiety around crashes and software issues is high? 'A slight increase in 'value for price paid' overall, some increase in trust that airlines will be on-time and deliver the in-flight experience,' says Taylor. 'Both of these are the result of a little less tumult in the industry overall, accidents and other software-related issues notwithstanding.'
Looking ahead, airlines face a delicate balancing act. 'If cabin load factors slide, we're likely to see higher satisfaction with the airline experience if the ticket pricing remains the same,' says Taylor. 'After all, who doesn't like to have that middle seat empty on a flight? If prices rise, it will be harder for airlines to create loyalty and maintain satisfaction levels.'
And what about safety? 'Safety is the major 'given' for the airline experience,' says Taylor. 'No one will step on to an unsafe aircraft, and what's more, no pilot will fly in unsafe conditions. The flying public has a very short memory and the public trusts the airlines will only operate if they can safely deliver passengers to their destinations. Aviation's overall safety record is still something to be admired.'
Keep reading for the full lists of the best airlines in North America. The Best Airlines In America: First/Business Class
Numbers listed here are the J.D. Power score out of 1,000 points. Delta Air Lines – 724 Alaska Airlines – 709 United Airlines – 690 Air Canada – 686 American Airlines – 684 The Best Airlines In America: Premium Economy Delta Air Lines – 717 JetBlue Airways – 699 Alaska Airlines – 691 United Airlines – 652 American Airlines – 650 Air Canada – 616 WestJet – 614 The Best Airlines In America: Economy/Basic Economy Southwest Airlines – 694 JetBlue Airways – 663 Delta Air Lines – 662 Alaska Airlines – 645 Allegiant Air – 636 United Airlines – 603 American Airlines – 597 Air Canada – 561 WestJet – 537 Spirit Airlines – 526 Frontier Airlines – 520