Flying isn't always fun. Most of the time, you just want to get from point A to point B as easily and cheaply as possible. You want to board quickly, take off without delay, and land without any unexpected turbulence. But not all airlines are created equal. In fact, data has just revealed that one U.S. airline is the worst when it comes to keeping customers happy and safe.
There’s a Clear Loser
Per a recent study evaluating the best and worst U.S. airlines using performance data, passenger sentiment, and reliability, Frontier Airlines (ULCC) was determined to be the worst U.S. carrier, with a score of 79.92 out of 100, the lowest score of any carrier in the study.
Frontier’s cancellation rate (the percentage of flights that don’t operate on schedule) is 1.2%, which isn’t the worst in the industry but is truly where the score begins and ends for the discount airline. Frontier is the most negative on social media, with 45% of all comments being negative. Passengers tend to complain about Frontier’s fees, its lack of customer service, and the general unreliability of the schedule. Frontier also ranks the lowest in passenger rating, with a score of 2 out of 5 stars.
Frontier Airlines only has 72.50% of flights landing on time, which is the lowest score of any of the U.S. carriers included in the study.
Frontier is not a small, unheard-of carrier. Frontier Airlines, Inc. is one of the largest U.S.-based ultra-low-cost carriers. The airline's headquarters are located in Denver, Colorado, and it services over 120 destinations in the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. Frontier Airlines has more than 5,000 employees. The airline is publicly traded and has hubs in Denver, Orlando, and various U.S. and Puerto Rican cities.
The Cost Behind Low-Cost
Frontier’s advertising is all about low prices, but savvy travelers know better than to be surprised by all of the fees. You pay for seat assignments, checked luggage, carry-on luggage, and even the coffee you get on the flight. A ticket that seems cheap on paper can end up costing much more, and you’ll feel like you got ripped off even before takeoff.
Frontier ranks near the bottom of all major U.S. carriers in on-time arrivals, based on Department of Transportation statistics for 2024. The DOT reports that Frontier canceled about 2% of its flights per month during the first six months of 2025. 2% may not seem like much, but many of the leading airlines keep their cancellation rates under 1%. This shows just how unreliable Frontier is in comparison.
Mix poor on-time performance, cancellations, and customer frustration, and you have an airline that just doesn’t cut it in today’s market.
Flying is a hassle without surprises in your schedule, hidden fees, and lousy service. All airlines have off days, but the numbers tell one clear story: Frontier Airlines is the worst-performing major U.S. carrier.
For travelers who care about dependability, transparency, and a relatively pleasant experience, Frontier is one of the riskiest gambles in the air, and the numbers prove it.
