In 2025, the clear winner was Southwest Airlines LUV 1.11%increase; green up pointing triangle. The largest U.S. domestic carrier by passengers took first place in The Wall Street Journal’s 18th annual airline scorecard for the first time since 2020. After finishing second to Delta in a photo finish for 2024’s rankings, Southwest this time won by a wide margin, and ended Delta’s four-year winning streak.
Budget carrier Allegiant came in second, followed by Delta in third. In our ratings basement: American and Frontier, which tied for last place. It was a return trip for Frontier.