Who would you guess as America’s Top Airline?
In its April report, WalletHub examined reliability, comfort, affordability, and safety. This scrutiny coincides with Boeing facing intense scrutiny over safety concerns regarding its aircraft.
In the latest aviation report by WalletHub, Alaska Airlines has soared to the top as the premier U.S. airline, with regional carrier SkyWest trailing closely behind. Despite this accolade, recent safety incidents have cast shadows over the industry, notably Alaska Airlines’ mid-flight mishap and Spirit Airlines’ unexpected safety rating.
WalletHub’s study, which assessed factors such as reliability, comfort, affordability, and safety, hailed Alaska Airlines for its punctuality and overall quality as America’s top airline. However, the report comes in the wake of a harrowing incident on Alaska Airlines flight 1282, where a door panel malfunctioned mid-flight at 16,000 feet. While all passengers and crew survived the emergency landing, the incident has sparked a $1 billion lawsuit against Alaska Airlines and Boeing, the manufacturer of the involved 737 Max 9 aircraft.
Surprisingly, Spirit Airlines emerged as the safest airline, catering to budget-conscious travelers with its no-frills approach. Despite its reputation for minimal legroom and onboard amenities, Spirit’s safety record surpassed expectations, with Alaska Airlines trailing as the runner-up.
Delta and JetBlue secured respectable positions on the list, excelling in in-flight entertainment, Wi-Fi connectivity, and customer service. Delta, in particular, earned praise for its reliability, boasting the lowest rates of cancellations, delays, mishandled luggage, and denied boardings.
United Airlines positioned itself as a dependable mid-tier option, slightly surpassing JetBlue in WalletHub’s rankings. However, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines found themselves at the bottom of the list, marred by safety incidents and operational challenges.
Hawaiian Airlines’ score suffered due to past turbulence-related injuries, highlighting the importance of safety considerations in airline evaluations. Conversely, Frontier Airlines, despite its budget appeal, faced criticism for frequent flight disruptions and boarding denials.
The dissolution of JetBlue’s proposed merger with Spirit Airlines in March 2024 underscored ongoing challenges in the airline industry, leaving airports saturated with Spirit’s distinctive yellow planes. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines experienced a notable decline in rankings, attributed to safety lapses and operational disruptions.
Southwest’s safety record came under scrutiny following two fatal incidents in recent years, including a tragic mid-air accident in 2018 and a runway collision in 2020. Despite Southwest’s historic reputation for reliability, the airline faced backlash for widespread delays during the 2022 holiday season, resulting in a hefty $140 million penalty.
As the aviation landscape continues to evolve, passenger safety remains paramount. WalletHub‘s comprehensive assessment serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between affordability, comfort, and safety in the airline industry, urging carriers to prioritize passenger well-being above all else.
