Skip to main content

These are the best airlines for every type of traveler

Have certain requirements for your travel needs? Look through the best airlines to fly to find your match

Are you the kind of traveler that needs to know the flight will always leave on time? Or that your precious fur baby will travel as safely as possible? Or how about the passenger that needs to know the seat isn’t going to break your spine during the flight? Flying with a dog, wanting the most comfortable airline, or the one that will get you there without an issue – the best airlines to fly in every category are right here, thanks to a study conducted by WalletHub.

WalletHub compared 11 airlines — the 9 largest U.S. air carriers, plus two regional ones — across 14 different metrics, including cancellation and delay rates, baggage mishaps, and in-flight comfort. The study also took into account cost so that low-cost carriers wouldn’t be penalized for not providing amenities their passengers don’t expect.

Flight attendants checking on passengers.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you want a relaxing flight

We all want to spread out as much as possible, enjoy that elbow room, and get a snack we’ll like, so pick the airline for those amenities and more like Wi-Fi and the most leg space.

Recommended Videos

The top airlines

  • JetBlue
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Alaska Airlines

The airline that will get you there

Reliability is always important. Who wants to wait forever to board – if your plane leaves at all – or wants to worry about if your luggage will make it to the same spot?

The most reliable

  • Delta Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • SkyWest Airlines

More specific categories

If you take out the price, what’s the thing that matters the most? From the safest airlines to the ones that are the best for flying with a dog, we have the top picks.

Airlines that treat pets like people

Flying with your doggo won’t have to be a hard decision. There are plenty of airlines that pride themselves on being pet-friendly.

  • Delta Air Lines
  • Alaska Airlines
  • SkyWest Airlines

Airlines that don’t allow pets

If you always travel with your four-legged child, there are airlines that won’t even let you take them along. (And if you have dog allergies, these might be the airlines to consider).

  • Spirit Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • JetBlue Airways
  • Frontier Airlines
  • Envoy Air
  • Southwest Airlines

For those that want the safest airlines

Knowing which is the safest airline is on everyone’s mind. No one flying who hits a bit of turbulence doesn’t think “this is it” for at least a second.

  • Envoy Air
  • Spirit Airlines

Envoy took top honors as the safest airline to fly in 2023, with Spirit taking second place. Good to know those cheaper prices with Spirit (winning as the most affordable airline) aren’t taking away from quality control.

A Delta Airlines plane making ready to take off at the airport.
Sven Piper/Unsplash

The best airline overall

If you don’t care about any specifics and only want to know the best airline that will take care of everything you need across the board in an above-average way – we get you.

  • Delta Air Lines 
  • Spirit Airlines 
  • SkyWest Airlines 

Comparing all the metrics against each other, Delta and Spirit are the airlines to cover all of your bases, with SkyWest not far behind.

No matter what way you have to travel, we have the airline rankings for every need. Everyone has non-negotiables when it comes to flying. Whatever yours are, you’ll be able to find your airline match. 

Dannielle Beardsley
Dannielle has written for various websites, online magazines, and blogs. She loves everything celebrity and her favorite…
American Airlines unlocks new destinations for adventure seekers
Kona, Hawaii

Last week, American Airlines announced several new routes, from world-class skiing getaways to sunny, tropical beaches. The routes are part of the airline’s efforts to help travelers realize their travel dreams. Fares for the new routes go on sale June 30 on American’s mobile app or on aa.com. 

Mountain destinations and sun-drenched beaches

Read more
Inside Tucson’s one-of-a-kind food scene every traveler should experience
Come to the high desert hungry and leave beyond satisfied
Tucson.

Tucson is a culturally rich destination in the Sonoran Desert that manages to perfectly blend American and Mexican culture. But the result isn't just fusion, it's its own thing entirely and something any foodie ought to seek out. Here, in the college town of some 550,000 surrounded by cacti and towering mountains, there are some of the very best restaurants in all the land.

Best, you get something here you just can't anywhere else. From baked goods made with indigenous grains to Sonoran hot dogs, there are one-of-a-kind delectables every direction you turn. Couple that with some amazing agricultural history, stunning scenery, and some clean desert air and you've got something truly special in Tucson.

Read more
Luggage shipping gains popularity as travelers seek stress-free flying
Avoid long baggage claim waits and lost luggage stresses
Man carrying luggage in both hands

In case you are unaware, AAA says a record-setting 72.2 million Americans are estimated to travel ahead of Independence Day this week (between Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, July 4th). AAA projects that this year's domestic travel forecast will surpass 1.7 million travelers over last year, and 7 million more than in 2019. Busy summer travel also means an increased chance of encountering common airport hassles, such as long wait times at baggage claim, and even lost, damaged, or stolen luggage. Travelers are also looking for new ways to avoid rising checked bag fees and overweight baggage fees.

As a solution, more travelers are turning to luggage shipping as an alternative to make their summer journeys a bit smoother. With luggage shipping options at The UPS store, specialty luggage boxes are used to accommodate a wide variety of the most common suitcase sizes. For airlines with strict size and weight regulations, using luggage shipping may offer an easier, stress-free option to transport your belongings without the hassle. Travelers with specific mobility issues or with multiple suitcases have also turned to luggage shipping as a more straightforward solution than navigating busy airports with numerous suitcases at once.

Read more