Delta Was Named the Best U.S. Airline Again, but Another Carrier Was Ranked Most Reliable
The Points Guy’s 2026 airline report ranked Delta No. 1 overall, but Allegiant, Southwest, and American led in key categories.
Delta Air Lines has been named the best U.S. airline in The Points Guy’s 2026 Best Airlines Report, marking another win for the carrier after years at the top of the rankings.
But the full report is a little more complicated than “book Delta and move on.”
This year’s ranking looked at reliability, travel experience, cost and reach, and loyalty. Delta came out on top overall, followed by United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Air Group, American Airlines, JetBlue, Allegiant, and Frontier.
The results land during a messy stretch for air travel, with higher fares, rising fees, more cancellations, and the collapse of Spirit Airlines leaving fewer low-cost options for travelers.
Delta Took the Top Spot Again
Delta held onto the No. 1 position thanks to its strong on-time performance in 2025 and its overall travel experience, including lounges, cabin amenities, and passenger policies.
The airline ranked second for reliability and first for overall travel experience. It also had the lowest rate of mishandled wheelchairs, scooters, and mobility devices, according to the report.
Still, Delta was not the winner in every category. That’s where the ranking gets more interesting for travelers who are choosing flights based on price, points, or simply avoiding a travel headache.
The Most Reliable Airline Wasn’t Delta
Allegiant, not Delta, ranked No. 1 for reliability.
That may surprise travelers who think of Allegiant mainly as a bare-bones budget carrier. The airline does not have the same massive network, lounge access, or loyalty program strength as the larger carriers, but The Points Guy gave it top marks for reliability.
Delta ranked second in that category, followed by Southwest, Alaska Air Group, JetBlue, United, American, and Frontier.
According to the report, airline cancellations across the industry were up about 15% in 2025 compared with 2024, based on U.S. Department of Transportation data. That makes reliability a much bigger deal for travelers than it might have been a few years ago.
Southwest Was Best for Cost and Reach
If price and route options matter most, Southwest had the strongest showing.
The airline ranked No. 1 in the cost and reach category, helped by its domestic route network and relative affordability. American ranked second in this category, followed by United, Delta, Alaska Air Group, JetBlue, Frontier, and Allegiant.
The report noted that Delta, despite winning overall, ranked as the least affordable airline based on federal data reviewed by The Points Guy.
That is the catch for travelers. The airline that ranks best overall may not be the one that makes the most sense for your actual budget.
American Won Loyalty, Despite a Major Weak Spot
American Airlines landed in fifth place overall, but it ranked No. 1 for loyalty.
The Points Guy credited the strength of American’s AAdvantage program and the value of its miles as major reasons for the win. United came in second for loyalty, followed by Alaska Air Group, JetBlue, Delta, Southwest, Frontier, and Allegiant.
But American also had the industry’s highest cancellation rate in the report.
That makes American one of the more complicated airlines in the ranking. For frequent flyers chasing miles and elite status, it may still be highly valuable. For travelers who care most about operational reliability, the report gives them a reason to pause.
Frontier Finished Last Overall
Frontier came in last in the overall ranking.
The budget airline did have one major advantage: affordability. The report found that Frontier offered the most affordable ticket prices in the industry last year.
But budget airlines often make up for cheap fares with extra fees, and Frontier passengers paid the most for extras such as baggage and ticket changes, according to the report.
Frontier also ranked last for reliability and last for travel experience.
Spirit’s Absence Leaves a Bigger Budget Travel Gap
This year’s ranking included eight airlines instead of the usual 10.
Spirit Airlines was initially included in the analysis before its May liquidation, according to The Points Guy. The report found Spirit would have ranked just ahead of Frontier overall and was the second-most affordable airline in America last year.
Its absence matters because travelers now have one fewer major low-cost option, especially at a time when airfare and fees are already a pain point.
The Best Airline Depends on What You Actually Need
Delta may have won the overall ranking, but the report makes one thing pretty clear: there is no single “best” airline for every traveler.
Personally, Delta is the airline I avoid whenever I can. I’ve dealt with multiple canceled flights, minimal customer service support, and even being stranded abroad for days on two separate occasions. So while the data may put Delta at No. 1 overall, my own experience is a reminder that the “best” airline on paper may not feel like the best airline when you’re the one stuck at the airport.
If you care most about reliability, Allegiant had the strongest score. If cost and route options matter most, Southwest led that category. If loyalty perks are your priority, American came out ahead.
And if you simply want the lowest fare, the tradeoffs may be bigger than the ticket price suggests.
For travelers booking upcoming trips, the ranking is less about blindly choosing the No. 1 airline and more about knowing what you are willing to give up: cheaper fares, better reliability, stronger loyalty perks, or a more comfortable experience.
For more airline headaches travelers should know about, this report on the U.S. airlines that mishandled the most bags breaks down another frustration that can make or break a trip.
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In my experience, Delta is the absolute worst airline.
Delta is my favorite