10 U.S. Airlines Ranked From Worst To Best & 10 Tips For Booking The Cheapest Flights
The Worst And Best American Flights
The U.S. has numerous airlines to book with when planning your next trip. That being said, some of these airlines offer far better services than others. Some companies have a bit of a reputation for delays and poor customer service. Booking can be stressful enough as it is, so this list not only ranks popular U.S. airlines but also has the tips you need to save money on your travels.
1. Frontier Airlines
Often ranked as the worst airline, it’s worth noting that Frontier is a solid choice when it comes to saving money. It’s a budget airline, so you get what you pay for. The seats may be uncomfortable, and they will nickel and dime you for carry-ons and cancellations, but it is one of the cheapest ways to get where you need to go.
2. Spirit Airlines
Unfortunately, Spirit Airlines has a pretty poor track record as well. This is mainly due to poor customer service and frequent cancellations. While punctuality is a hit or a miss, their costs are relatively cheap, so you once again get what you pay for. But is it really worth it if the flight just ends up cancelled anyway?
3. JetBlue
In some years, JetBlue was ranked as the worst airline around according to the Wall Street Journal. However, some people claim it’s still better than Frontier and Spirit. Either way, JetBlue has a record for delayed arrivals and poor punctuality.
4. Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air is also a hit or a miss, with its strong side being just how cheap it is. You can get away with regular flights with no issue, and in some places, they’re the only affordable flying option around. As such, they’re pretty middle of the pack.
5. American Airlines
Like many other airlines, American will experience occasional delays and maybe some lackluster customer service. Generally, they’re pretty convenient and a middle-of-the-road carrier, not too expensive, but not cheap either. That being said, some people have horror stories about delays leading to missed cruises and events.
6. United Airlines
United Airlines is also a bit in the middle. The experience can be costly, as you’ll often have to pay for your flight, then your seats, then bags, and then deal with the 6 different boarding groups. That being said, they have some great perks thanks to their newer equipment, making for a comfortable ride.
7. Hawaiian Airlines
While Hawaiian Airlines is a bit of a step down from American in terms of quality, it still has a lot going for it. The seats are better suited to shorter flights, and the staff is noted to be friendly. It’s also the American airline with the longest history of no passenger fatalities.
8. Alaska Airlines
Considered one of the best airlines around, Alaska just gives you those positive vibes the moment you get on the plane. The customer service is kind and attentive, the planes are kept clean, and there’s usually more legroom than with other airlines. That being said, it’s pricier than most budget airlines.
9. Southwest Airlines
Southwest is interesting because it operates a bit differently from traditional airlines. For instance, there are no classes, and they have an all-open seating model instead. Their baggage policy is pretty relaxed, too. That being said, there are no meals, but the costs are reasonable and they’re a great way to get from point A to B.
10. Delta Airlines
Unsurprisingly, Delta Airlines stands strong as one of the best airlines to fly with. This is due to their commitment to customer service, with a high record of punctual arrival times. It also has some of the lowest cancellation rates in the industry, proving its performance.1
Now that we talked about the best and worst airlines in the U.S., here are 10 tips to make the booking process much breezier.
1. Compare Flights
You don’t want to book last minute in a panic and instead should take some time in advance to pick a flight carefully. This way, you can use sites like Skyscanner and Google Flights to compare different price points. This gives you more options and ensures you get the best deals.
2. Flexible Dates
Sometimes it’s important to get somewhere on a certain day, but if you can be flexible, then you should. Before determining the days of your trip, take a look at the cheapest fly days and try to pick those dates. This way, you’ll be saving money on flying that you can spend on your trip instead.
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3. Book Direct
If your goal is to avoid layovers and delays, then try to book directly with the flight company. Of course, you should first compare prices on Skyscanner, then go to the correct airline site to get your tickets. This can also make the booking process smoother.
4. Rebook If Needed
If you see a reduction in flights or suddenly notice certain dates have just had a price drop, then don’t be afraid to rebook. If you book directly, you can do this pretty easily and get paid back the difference. With that in mind, check your flight prices once a week to see if there are any drops. Do not cancel your original ticket but instead click to change your flight and select the same flight again.
5. Stay Loyal
When you’re new to flying, it might take some time before you figure out which airlines you like and which ones you hate. But after some experiences, pick an airline and stay loyal to it. If you do this, you can start to earn points with them, which in turn leads to free upgrades and perks.
6. Get a Travel Credit Card
It’s recommended to always purchase flights with a travel credit card and to never use your debit card. This is because a travel credit card will net you so many bonuses that it would be silly not to have one. This includes improved airline status, free hotel stays, car rentals, airport lounge perks, and so much more.
7. Pick The Destination After
This may seem a bit counterintuitive, but if you aren’t locked onto a destination, pick it after you look at flights. For instance, maybe you know you want to go to Europe but aren’t sure where exactly. One look at Skyscanner might reveal a price drop on trips to Ireland or Rome, for instance. This flexibility will allow you to save more money in the long run.
8. Consider Airport Proximity
Let’s say you’re determined to get to France, but tickets are cheaper to get to Belgium. Consider flying to Belgium instead and using the train or buses to arrive in France. Do the math and see what equals out to less money!
9. Scott’s Cheap Flights
A lot of travelers swear by Scott’s Cheap Flights as the perfect site for booking affordable trips. It requires a membership but try splitting it with friends and family. This will save you money in the long run as it will give you daily alerts on cheap flights and help you secure the best deals.
10. Check The Baggage Policy
Finally, you don’t want to arrive at the airport only to realize you have to pay extra for baggage. If your bags go overweight, they might nickel and dime you for that, too. So be sure to review all the policies beforehand to ensure a smooth and cost-effective trip.
