Airline ticket prices surged last year, but a new airline ranking by WalletHub maintains that price is just one of the factors travelers should be looking at.
The report noted that there are a number of important factors that need to be considered when selecting an airline.
"They range from cancellation and delay rates to baggage mishaps and in-flight comfort," the report said. "We also considered costs in relation to in-flight amenities for the sake of fairness. For example, it wouldn’t be right to penalize an airline that charges for drinks if its tickets are far cheaper than those from an airline with free in-flight refreshments."
The report noted that costs have garnered a lot of attention after ticket prices shot up 25% last year. At the same time, however, consumers have ways to manage costs.
"Finding the most affordable airfare is now quite easy for anyone with an internet connection, so this report examines those other, overlooked aspects of air travel to help consumers make more-informed decisions," the report said.
Following in ascending are WalletHub's best U.S. airlines of 2023.
11. Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is one of six airlines that do not transport animals. The airline ranks fourth in comfort; seventh in affordability; tenth in reliability; and last in safety.
10. Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines is one of six airlines that do not transport animals. While Frontier Airlines ranks second in affordability and third in safety, it ranks last in both comfort and reliability.
9. American Airlines
American Airlines ranks fourth in pet friendliness; fifth in comfort; eighth in both safety and reliability; and tenth in affordability; and.
8. Envoy Air
Envoy Air is one of six airlines that do not transport animals. The airline ranks first in safety; ninth in reliability; and last in affordability. As a regional airline, Envoy Air was not ranked in comfort because available amenities are based on those offered by each of the major airlines it serves.
7. JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is one of six airlines that do not transport animals. The airline ranks first in comfort; fourth in both safety and affordability; and seventh in reliability.
6. Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines ranks fourth in reliability; fifth in both affordability and pet friendliness; and seventh in both comfort and safety.
5. Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines ranks third in both comfort and pet friendliness; fifth in safety; and sixth in both reliability and affordability.
4. United Airlines
United Airlines is one of six airlines that do not transport animals. The airline ranks second in reliability; sixth in comfort; eighth in affordability; and 10th in safety.
3. SkyWest Airlines
SkyWest ranks second in pet friendliness; third in both affordability and reliability; and sixth in safety. As a regional airline, SkyWest was not ranked in comfort because available amenities are based on those offered by each of the major airlines it serves.
2. Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines is one of six airlines that do not transport animals. The airline ranks first in affordability; second in safety; fifth in reliability; and eighth in comfort.
1. Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines ranks first in pet friendliness and reliability; second in comfort; and ninth in both safety and affordability.
The full report can be viewed here.
