These Are the Most Hated Airlines in the U.S., According to a New Report Some carriers stand out for all the wrong reasons.

By Amanda Breen

izusek | Getty Images

For most Americans, air travel isn't exactly synonymous with relaxation and luxury, and after taxpayers gave airlines a $54 million bailout during the pandemic, flying hit a new low.

Per Vice, consumer complaints about airline travel and airline performance quadrupled from 2019 to 2022, according to a report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. Between unruly passengers and mass cancellations, a lot can — and does — go wrong on a regular basis.

Related: Southwest Cancels Flight to Couple's $4,000 Honeymoon Cruise

Although the high demand for air travel is increasing airlines' revenue, customer satisfaction has continued to fall over the past year — and some carriers should be more worried about reputation damage than others, per a new study by data analytics firm J.D. Power reported by CBS News.

"While these drawbacks have not yet put a dent in leisure travel demand, if this trend continues, travelers will reach a breaking point and some airline brands may be damaged," said Michael Taylor, travel intelligence lead at data analytics firm J.D. Power, in a statement.

J.D. Power surveyed 7,774 passengers who flew commercially between March 2022 and March 2023, measuring their satisfaction based on how they rated certain criteria on a 1,000-point scale: making reservations, the check-in and boarding experiences, baggage handling, the quality of the aircraft and staff, in-flight services and costs and fees.

Related: Flight Attendant Hits 'Unruly Passenger' With Coffee Pot

Here's what the findings revealed about Americans' least favorite airlines in the U.S.

First/Business class

Best airlines

  1. JetBlue Airways (893)
  2. Delta Air Lines (865)
  3. United Airlines (848)

Worst airlines

  1. American Airlines (826)
  2. Alaska Airlines (833)

Premium Economy

Best airlines

  1. Delta Air Lines (848)
  2. JetBlue Airways (840)
  3. Alaska (823)

Worst airlines

  1. United Airlines (784)
  2. American Airlines (821)

Economy/Basic Economy

Best airlines

  1. Southwest Airlines (827)
  2. Delta Air Lines (801)
  3. JetBlue Airways (800)

Worst airlines

  1. Frontier Airlines (705)
  2. Spirit Airlines (727)
  3. American Airlines (764)
Amanda Breen

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Features Writer

Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Your Old Apple AirPods Can Soon Act as an Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid, According to the FDA

The new software is compatible with the Apple AirPods Pro and accessible through iOS — for free and now FDA-authorized.

Business News

Over 1,300 Google Employees Have Signed a New Petition Asking For Job Security

Google laid off thousands of employees in the past two years, which has left some employees feeling insecure about keeping their jobs.

Business News

Barbara Corcoran Says She Doesn't Look at Resumes: 'Always Hire Attitude Over Experience'

If you think you need a strong resume to work with real estate pioneer Barbara Corcoran, think again.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Leadership

The 4 Pillars of Leadership — How Process-Driven Leaders Enhance Performance

Let's explore how process-oriented leaders help drive businesses and teams forward — and how they can leverage their style for maximum impact.

Starting a Business

He Quit Working in 'Toxic' Restaurants and Started a Business That's on Track to Surpass $150 Million in Revenue: 'Unstoppable Demand'

When Chris Kirby noticed a gap at his local farmer's market, he "sprang into action pretty quickly."