JetBlue, Southwest and Delta lead way in JD Power's 2025 airline rankings
Which airline should you fly on your next big trip? A new report from a major consumer analytics firm offers some answers.
JetBlue, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines were the winners in JD Power's annual ranking of the top North American airlines.
The survey polled customers over the past year about their experiences in each of the key cabins – from first- and business-class to premium economy and coach. And there were some surprises in 2025.
After finishing as the runner-up a year ago, JetBlue dethroned Delta Air Lines as the top finisher in the front cabin, propelled by its lie-flat Mint offerings the carrier flies on transatlantic and select domestic routes
However, Delta held its spot in the premium economy poll. And Southwest Airlines was again the top finisher in the main cabin as it concluded another year with the lowest restrictions and fees for coach passengers — though it’s worth watching how the Dallas-based carrier fares as its new bag fees and assigned seating policy take effect.
Here’s how the major North American airlines fared in JD Power’s new rankings.
Business/first-class
- JetBlue (score of 738)
- Delta (724)
- Alaska Airlines (709)
- United Airlines (690)
- Air Canada (686)
- American Airlines (684)
Average score: 700
This year’s results saw JetBlue leapfrog Delta — meaning, the two carriers have traded places in JD Power’s rankings among customers for who flew in premium accommodations over the past year. JetBlue’s Mint product certainly is one of the best offered by a North American airline, and particularly notable for its food and beverage offerings inflight.
We should point out that JetBlue also plans to bolster its premium offerings over the coming year with a new lounge product, set to debut by the end of the year at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) — followed by another at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). Mint flyers will be able to access those new outposts.
JetBlue also has a new domestic first-class cabin in the works for its planes that don't currently offer Mint.
Premium economy
Here’s how the premium economy rankings shook out this year:
- Delta (score of 717)
- JetBlue (699)
- Alaska (691)
- United (652)
- American (650)
- Air Canada (616)
- Westjet (614)
This was the third straight year Delta won the premium economy category — helped, no doubt, by its long-haul Premium Select cabin.
You may notice, there were a number of airlines listed that don’t have bona fide, international-style premium economy sections (including JetBlue, which made serious gains in this year’s rankings).
It appears JD Power also included extra-legroom accommodations for this ranking — which means JetBlue’s Even More Space (now branded “Even More”) product bested even carriers that have a true premium economy recliner product on long-haul aircraft, like American and United.
Economy/basic economy
And finally, the coach rankings:
- Southwest (score of 694)
- JetBlue (663)
- Delta (662)
- Alaska (645)
- Allegiant Air (636)
- United (603)
- American (597)
- Air Canada (561)
- Westjet (537)
- Spirit Airlines (526)
- Frontier Airlines (520)
We’d be remiss to point out that Southwest’s finish in the top spot for economy rankings came before the carrier’s new checked bag policy takes effect. That’s planned for May 28, alongside a handful of other changes like lower Rapid Rewards earning rates for lower-level fares and expiring flight credits.
That said, the carrier will soon debut a new extra-legroom section for A-List elite status members and certain cardholders.
Frontier again finished in the last spot, even as that carrier revamped some of its product offerings in hopes of winning over more customers.
Methodology
To compile its rankings, JD Power polled more than 10,000 customers between March 2024 and March 2025. To be eligible for the survey, customers had to have flown on a major North American carrier within the previous month.
JD Power surveyed customers on seven factors: airline staff, digital tools, ease of travel, level of trust, on-board experience, pre- and post-flight experience, and value for the price paid.
The firm noted overall customer satisfaction made gains versus the year prior, but noted concerns about demand could loom large for the airline industry this next year.
“Airlines will likely have a tougher year this year, economically, but the key to their longer-term success will be how well they manage economic headwinds without compromising on customer experience,” said Michael Taylor, JD Power's senior managing director of travel, hospitality, retail and customer service, in a statement.
Looking ahead
Meanwhile, stay tuned for TPG’s Best Airlines Report later this spring, when we release our annual data-driven rankings of the top U.S. carriers. Delta finished in the top spot last year.
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- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.