The Airlines Offering the Best and Worst In-Flight Experience
With the exception of airfares and route networks, the in-flight experience is the most important aspect to consider when choosing an airline. To find out which carriers offer travelers the smoothest experience in the sky, the team of experts at Upgraded Points analyzed 11 major U.S. airlines across six different categories for in-flight experience, including entertainment, amenities, comfort, COVID-19 safety, food and drinks. The airlines were then ranked out of 100 for their performance under each metric, like legroom for example, and the scores for each metric were averaged for the categories to give a total score for each. Finally, the category scores were averaged to give a total score for each individual airline. Here’s how the leading domestic carriers rank in terms of in-flight experience in economy class in 2022.
11. Allegiant Air
With a total rating of just 15.9 out of 100, ultra-low-cost carrier Allegiant Air ranks last among major U.S. carriers in terms of the in-flight experience that awaits travelers. While Allegiant tied for the highest score for COVID-19 safety (40 out of 100) it registered zeroes for both entertainment and amenities. The airline doesn’t offer in-flight entertainment and passengers will have to purchase snacks and drinks.
10. Spirit Airlines
A budget-friendly competitor of Allegiant, Spirit Airlines (20.2 out of 100) also struck out for both amenities and entertainment—receiving zeroes in both categories—but earned a respectable 45 out of 100 for comfort and 57.5 out of 100 for its food offerings. For perspective, only two other airlines scored higher in the latter category.
9. Frontier Airlines
Another affordable airline severely lacking in entertainment and amenities, Frontier Airlines edges out Spirit with a total rating of 24.7 out of 100 thanks to more balance in the food and drink categories where it earned 55 and 43.4 out of 100, respectively.
8. Southwest Airlines
Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines ranks worst among the Big Four airlines for in-flight experience but is still a solid wallet-friendly option if you’re prioritizing an enjoyable flight, according to Upgraded Points, earning a total rating of 40.6 out of 100, including 38.3 out of 100 for entertainment and a perfect 100 out of 100 for drinks.
7. Sun Country Airlines
Minneapolis-based Sun Country Airlines ranks seventh for in-flight experience despite earning zeroes for amenities and COVID-19 safety. However, the airline received 60 out of 100 for entertainment and a stellar 92.6 out of 100 for drinks as it offers passengers complimentary movies, tv shows and more as well as free non-alcoholic beverages.
6. Hawaiian Airlines
Renowned for its punctuality, Hawaiian Airlines barely missed out on the top five, earning a total rating of 48.2 out of 100, including an impressive 90 for food and a perfect 100 for drinks. The airline was held back by its dismal scores for entertainment and amenities, which came in at 14.5 and zero, respectively.
5. American Airlines
With the exception of COVID safety—where it scored just 10 out of 100—American Airlines performed consistently well across the board, receiving a 74.1 for drinks, 70 for amenities and 52.8 for entertainment. Overall, American was awarded a total rating of 48.4 for its economy class in-flight experience.
4. United Airlines
United Airlines doesn’t dominate any one particular category but instead relies on balance to place fourth. Still, United’s total rating of 50.7 out of 100 is well short of that of the top three airlines in the study and its comfort score (32.5 out of 100) is the second-lowest of any carrier analyzed.
3. Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines ranks the highest for in-flight experience among the Big Four carriers, earning an 80 out of 100 for amenities, 77.8 for drinks, 62.8 for entertainment and 62.5 for comfort. Delta also received a rating of 51.3 out of 100 for food and 40 out of 100 for COVID-19 safety.
2. JetBlue
JetBlue fares extremely well across the board, earning 90 out of 100 for both amenities and comfort and 85.2 for drinks. The airline didn’t score lower than 40 in any category, helping it to a total rating of 66.7 out of 100 when it comes to the economy class in-flight experience.
1. Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines barely secures the top spot over JetBlue with a total rating of 66.8 out of 100. The airline received near-flawless scores for its amenities (100) and drinks (94.5) and earned impressive scores for both entertainment (60) and comfort (65). It’s worth pointing out that Alaska also earned the highest rating for first class in-flight experience, based on Upgraded Points’ research.