Delta Tops TPG’s Best Airlines Ranking for Eighth Straight Year
United and Southwest posted one of the closest challenges yet, while American led in loyalty and Allegiant emerged as the industry’s most reliable carrier.
Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
Delta remains the airline to beat, according to The Points Guy’s 2026 Best Airlines Report, which once again ranked the carrier as the top airline in the United States. The annual study marks Delta’s eighth consecutive year at No. 1, though this year’s race was notably tighter than in previous years, with United Airlines and Southwest Airlines finishing close behind.
The rankings evaluate airlines across four weighted categories—reliability, experience, loyalty, and cost and reach—using Department of Transportation data, airline policies, network information, and loyalty program analysis. Reliability remains the most heavily weighted factor, accounting for 30 percent of the overall score.
Delta’s ranking was driven by its operational consistency and overall customer experience. The carrier scored particularly well for on-time performance, premium cabin offerings, airport lounges, and handling of mobility devices. TPG noted that while Delta did not necessarily lead in every category, it delivered the strongest overall performance across the travel journey.
United held onto second place and came close to overtaking Delta. According to the report, the Chicago-based carrier possibly would’ve come out on top had it not posted the industry’s highest rate of mishandled checked baggage. Southwest finished third overall, benefiting from strong operational performance and continued strength in affordability and domestic network reach.
Rounding out the top five were Alaska Air Group (which combines Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines in this year’s analysis) and American Airlines. American’s performance highlighted the complexity of airline rankings: while the carrier led the loyalty category thanks to the strength of its AAdvantage program, it also posted the industry’s highest cancellation rate.
Allegiant emerged as the most reliable airline overall, while Southwest topped the cost-and-reach category. American earned top honors for loyalty, and JetBlue continued to lead for economy cabin features, including seatback screens and extra legroom.
For this year’s analysis, TPG increased the weighting of affordability and network reach this year amid rising airfares, higher ancillary fees, and growing demand for nonstop routing options. Those factors helped narrow the gap between legacy carriers and value-focused competitors, resulting in one of the closest rankings the report has produced.
Top 8 U.S. Airlines for 2026
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Alaska Air Group (Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines)
- American Airlines
- JetBlue
- Allegiant Air
- Frontier Airlines
