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The research carried out by the travel & luggage experts at Bounce analysed airlines across the USA on factors such as on-time arrival rates, cancelation records, customer ratings, and free luggage offerings to reveal the best and worst domestic airlines.
The Top 10 Best Domestic Airlines in 2023:
| Rank | Airline | On-Time Arrivals | Cancellations | Meals score /5 | In-flight entertain-
ment score /5 |
Seat comfort score /5 | Staff service score /5 | Free carry on allowance (kg) | Free checked domestic allowance (kg) | Free checked international allowance (kg) | Airline score / 10 |
| 1 | Delta Air Lines | 81.82% | 1.96% | 1,579,035 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Southwest Airlines | 71.77% | 3.17% | 1,338,883 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | – | 46 | 46 |
| 3 | Hawaiian Airlines | 76.22% | 0.64% | 76,282 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 11.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Alaska Airlines | 79.05% | 2.14% | 403,325 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | United Airlines | 79.11% | 2.58% | 1,448,829 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | – | 0 | 23 |
| 6 | American Airlines | 77.43% | 2.67% | 1,999,100 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | JetBlue Airways Corporation | 63.97% | 3.33% | 343,718 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Spirit Airlines | 73.13% | 2.85% | 266,681 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Frontier Airlines Inc. | 66.20% | 2.65% | 170,181 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Allegiant Air LLC | 64.08% | 4.42% | 117,670 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | Delta Air Lines | 81.82% | 1.96% | 1,579,035 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
Delta Airlines is the highest-rated domestic airline in the United States, with an index score of 6.05. Delta recorded the highest % of on-time arrivals at 81.82% and one of the lowest cancellation rates at 1.96%. Delta Airlines also recorded the highest scores for its in-flight experience, earning a 3 out of 5 for its in-flight entertainment, meals, seat comfort, and staff service. It also recorded the lowest level of passenger complaints at just 2.66 per 100.
Southwest Airlines is the second highest-rated domestic airline in the 2023 Airline Index, with a score of 5.56. Southwest’s record for inflight experience was mostly positive, scoring 3 out of 5 for meals, seat comfort, and staff service, though the airline only collected a score of 2 out of 5 for its in-flight entertainment. Where the airline truly excels is its baggage allowance, with no weight restrictions on carry-on luggage. At the same time, economy class passengers can enjoy up to 46 kg of bags on domestic and international flights.
Hawaiian Airlines is the third-highest-ranked domestic airline in the United States, earning a score of 5.14 in this year’s airline index. The airline has the lowest cancellation rate of all domestic carriers at just 0.64% and a middling rate of on-time arrivals at 76.22%. There is no free checked luggage allowance for economy class passengers, though carry-on baggage can be up to 11.5kg. Hawaiian Airlines also excels in customer satisfaction, with a relatively low complaints rate of 3.58 per 100 passengers.
Further study insights:
- Allegiant Air ranked as the worst domestic airline in the United States, with an overall score of 0.74 out of 10.
