These airlines rank the best (and worst) for customer satisfaction in 2026

Major U.S. airlines have defied the odds and seen notable customer satisfaction gains over the past year, despite heavy cancellations, delays and increased fees, the annual JD Power 2026 North America Airline Satisfaction Study found. 

With airlines and passengers feeling the pinch of soaring fuel prices and rising ticket costs because of the Iran war, the "big question now is how long that can continue."

Airline satisfaction increased

By the numbers:

According to JD Power, overall passenger satisfaction for North America airlines is up 8 points from 2025. Airlines saw a 17-point increase in satisfaction among passengers flying in first and business classes; a 14-point rise in satisfaction among passengers flying in the premium economy class, and a six-point jump in satisfaction among passengers flying in the economy and basic economy classes.

JD Power surveyed 10,914 passengers from March 2025-March 2026. 

What they're saying:

"Despite many challenges, the airlines returned to basics of passenger communication, friendly service and providing slightly better value for money compared to past years," Michael Taylor, senior managing director of travel, hospitality, retail and customer service at JD Power, said in a statement. "The big question now is how long that can continue. With airfare prices for some routes tripling over the past few weeks and baggage fees increasing to cover rising fuel costs, it is becoming increasingly difficult for airlines to continue to drive the high levels of customer satisfaction in this year’s study."

Overall rankings

Dig deeper:

Although Southwest Airlines topped this year’s customer satisfaction rankings, it was only three points ahead of Delta, which ranked No. 2. 

JD Power noted that Southwest has made substantial changes to its operations, like charging for checked bags and eliminating its open-seating policy. 

"The introduction of fees has traditionally had a major effect on satisfaction with airline performance," the report states. 

First and business class rankings

For first and business class, customers ranked the following airlines in order of satisfaction: 

1. JetBlue Airways
2. Delta Air Lines
3. Alaska Airlines
4. United Airlines
5. American Airlines
6. Air Canada

Premium economy rankings

For premium economy class, customers ranked the following airlines in order of satisfaction: 

1. Delta Air Lines
2. Alaska Airlines
3. JetBlue Airways
4. United Airlines
5. American Airlines
6. WestJet
7. Air Canada

Fares rise, flights canceled amid soaring jet fuel costs

Big picture view:

In addition to higher air fares, airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up operating costs. 

For travelers, it can mean having to navigate a confusing web of passenger protections that vary widely depending on where they’re flying. And the timing is amplifying the impact.

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"These pressures are arriving at a time when summer travel demand is ramping up, with major events such as the World Cup expected to put additional strain on airports," Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp, told The Associated Press. 

The strain was too much for Spirit Airlines, which was planning to emerge from bankruptcy as a smaller company later this year until fuel prices sent the struggling airline over the edge. Spirit Airlines shut down immediately on May 2. 

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Spirit attorney Marshall Huebner said rising jet fuel costs since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran "engulfed Spirit entirely." The airline’s fuel expenses grew by roughly $100 million "in March and April alone," he said, and rapidly drained Spirit’s liquidity and derailed its restructuring efforts.

He also apologized directly to Spirit’s employees and customers, especially passengers who he said may now be completely "priced out" of certain routes without the ultra low-cost carrier known for its unbundled "no frills" service.

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