This Low-cost Airline Was Just Named the Best (and Safest) U.S. Carrier

• A low-cost airline has been named the best overall carrier in the U.S., according to a new report.
• For the rankings, WalletHub evaluated the largest airlines in the country on metrics like safety and affordability.
• Experts also found that U.S. airlines should prioritize on-time departures over other amenities.

Spirit Airlines‘ giant yellow planes are sometimes the butt of jokes on social media, as the budget airline’s a la carte service isn’t as popular as some of the larger, more established airlines. But in reality, Spirit is actually the best airline you can fly with, beating out Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and American Airlines. This conclusion is based on the new WalletHub 2025 Best Airlines ranking.

WalletHub’s ranking evaluated the nine largest U.S. airlines and two regional airlines and evaluated the carriers across 14 different metrics. The metrics were all within the following four categories: baggage and departures, animal incidents, in-flight comfort and cost, and safety. Based on this evaluation, Spirit Airlines came out on top, scoring 69.12 out of 100.

Here are the best airlines ranked overall, and their scores.

1. Spirit Airlines, 69.12
2. Skywest Airlines, 68.08
3. Delta Air Lines, 64.24
4. JetBlue Airways, 63.38
5. Southwest Airlines, 62.19
6. Alaska Airlines, 58.38
7. Hawaiian Airlines, 57.32
8. United Airlines, 56.58
9. Frontier Airlines, 47.02
10. American Airlines, 45.81
11. Envoy Air, 38.56

The WalletHub ranking also named the best airline for other more specific categories, including most affordable airline, most reliable airline, and safest airline. Spirit Airlines was named the most affordable airline, Delta Air Lines was named the most reliable airline, and JetBlue Airways and Hawaiian Airlines were tied for the most comfortable airlines. Skywest Airlines, United Airlines, and Envoy Air all tied for the best airline for pets, and Spirit Airlines came out on top again as the safest airline.

If any airlines are looking to improve their ranking on WalletHub’s list in 2026, there are some easy ways to do so. One that would benefit both the airlines and passengers? Keep improving flight reliability by reducing delays. “One of the easiest strategies is prioritizing being ‘on-time’ more than just about anything else except safety,” Joseph P. Schwieterman, professor at DePaul University’s School of Public Service, told WalletHub. “Achieving this is easier than overhauling fleets, reconfiguring gates, or adding airport lounges.”

If you’re looking to switch over to this year’s top airline, there’s more good news about flying Spirit. The airline announced back in March that it was expanding its service and added dozens of routes across the U.S. While Spirit might rank as the most affordable airline, you’ll need to factor more into your planning than just the cost of your ticket. Because the budget airline offers such cheap fares, you’ll need to plan on paying extra for your luggage or any other additional services.