This Is the Best Airline for Economy Seats in the US

This year has been a shaky one for airlines so far, as the industry faces economic uncertainty and concerns about the safety of air travel. But according to a new report, fliers are actually more satisfied with US airlines in 2025 compared to last year.

Analytics firm J.D. Power released its 2025 North America Airline Satisfaction Study on May 7, and it shows that overall airline passenger satisfaction jumped six points this year compared to 2024.

The survey was conducted from March 2024 to March 2025 and asked more than 10,000 recent passengers to rate their experience with their airline across seven categories: airline staff; digital tools; ease of travel; level of trust; on-board experience; pre/post-flight experience; and value for price paid.

“Throughout our one-year study period, we’ve seen a slight decline in both ticket prices and passenger volume, which has helped keep overall passenger satisfaction levels high,” Michael Taylor, J.D. Power’s senior managing director of travel, hospitality, retail and customer service, said in a statement. “But it’s clear that market dynamics are changing and will likely affect passenger experience in the coming weeks and months.”

This year’s passenger satisfaction survey breaks down its results by ticket class. Perhaps surprisingly, it was actually the fliers at the back of the plane—sitting in economy and basic economy—who drove the increase in this year’s overall satisfaction numbers. Passengers’ satisfaction in economy and basic economy jumped a notable eight points year-over-year. Meanwhile, customers’ happiness with premium economy products declined significantly, showing a seven-point decrease.

For the fourth year in a row, Southwest Airlines took the number one spot for highest passenger satisfaction in the economy and basic economy segment, with an overall score of 694 points out of 1,000. Notably, the survey period ended before some of Southwest’s recent changes—like ending its long-standing free checked luggage policy and introducing a new fare structure—two roll backs that are unpopular with some of its most loyal fliers.

JetBlue Airways scooped up second place in the economy category with a score of 663. The airline is usually a favorite with budget fliers for free perks like in-flight Wi-Fi, live TV, and complimentary snacks. Delta Air Lines was neck and neck with JetBlue, but it ultimately took third place, scoring 662. The lowest-ranked airline for economy class out of the 11 carriers measured was Frontier Airlines, which scored 520 points with fliers.

Both JetBlue and Delta made an impressive showing across the premium segments, too. Delta snagged the top spot in the premium economy category for the third year in a row with an impressive 717 points. The carrier’s Premium Select class, which is available on international routes and flights between JFK and LAX, offers amenities like a wider seat with additional recline, plus an adjustable footrest and leg rest.

On the business class rankings, JetBlue edged out Delta for first place this year, with its Mint business class scoring a total of 738 points over the Atlanta-based carrier’s Delta One product, which garnered a respectable 724 points.

Despite air travel chaos making headlines in recent months, fewer than 10% of the thousands of airline passengers surveyed by J.D. Power said they had a problem with their flight. Of the passengers that did experience a problem with their airline, flight delays were the most common issue across all cabin classes.

Here are the full rankings of the best North American airlines for business, premium economy, and economy class, according to passengers themselves:

First/business class:

1. JetBlue Airways
2. Delta Air Lines
3. Alaska Airlines
4. United Airlines
5. Air Canada
6. American Airlines

Premium economy class:

1. Delta Air Lines
2. JetBlue Airways
3. Alaska Airlines
4. United Airlines
5. American Airlines
6. Air Canada
7. WestJet

Economy/basic economy class:

1. Southwest Airlines
2. JetBlue Airways
3. Delta Air Lines
4. Alaska Airlines
5. Allegiant Air
6. United Airlines
7. American Airlines
8. Air Canada
9. WestJet
10. Spirit Airlines
11. Frontier Airlines

This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.