RANKED: The Best Airlines In America

In-Flight Experience: 641 out of 1000

Timeliness: 628.5 out of 1000

Like US Airways, United Airlines found itself on a recent list of the most frustrating companies in America. Last year, a model accused the airline of killing her beloved golden retriever.

Now the airline is switching to lighter, thinner seats that it says will increase space for knees, but will also let it pack more people onto its planes.

At least it serves good vodka.

Our survey was based on in-flight experience data from J.D. Power & Associates's 2013 North American Airline Satisfaction Study and flight delay and cancellation numbers from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Click here to see our full methodology.

In-Flight Experience: 630 out of 1000

Timeliness: 727.9 out of 1000

It’s one of the most disliked companies in America. It’s one of the worst for customer service. And the government doesn’t want it to complete a merger with American Airlines that would give it a financial boost.

It got the worst score in the JD Power satisfaction survey, but at least 85% of its flights are on time, so the unpleasant experience doesn’t last longer than it should.

Our survey was based on in-flight experience data from J.D. Power & Associates's 2013 North American Airline Satisfaction Study and flight delay and cancellation numbers from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Click here to see our full methodology.

In-Flight Experience: 708 out of 1000

Timeliness: 708.1 out of 1000

Frontier Airlines isn’t in great shape. Republic Airways Holdings bought it out of bankruptcy in 2010, but within two years the new owner lost more money than it originally paid for the low-cost airline.

To boost income, Frontier is imitating super budget airline Spirit: In May, it announced some customers would have to pay $100 for the right to put a carry-on bag in the overhead bin.

However that works out, Frontier will soon have a new owner. In July, Republic reached a nonbinding agreement with an unnamed third party who will buy the carrier.

Our survey was based on in-flight experience data from J.D. Power & Associates's 2013 North American Airline Satisfaction Study and flight delay and cancellation numbers from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Click here to see our full methodology.

In-Flight Experience: 787 out of 1000

Timeliness: 630.3 out of 1000

Once in the air, JetBlue customers can watch live television. It's a big bonus, especially since the airline doesn’t offer WiFi in flight yet (that’s coming next year).

The airline is making a solid bid for cross-country customers with private suites and massage seats in business class, plus power outlets for the masses.

It got a great score for in-flight experience but was hurt by the fact that nearly 23% of its flights were delayed in the window we considered.

Our survey was based on in-flight experience data from J.D. Power & Associates's 2013 North American Airline Satisfaction Study and flight delay and cancellation numbers from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Click here to see our full methodology.

In-Flight Experience: 705 out of 1000

Timeliness: 763.4 out of 1000

In 2010, this Texas-based low-cost airline was purchased by Southwest. Like Southwest, AirTran makes its customers happy. It doesn’t pay its pilots very well, but it likely won some fans when it kicked 100 rowdy high school students off a plane this summer.

For an extra treat, AirTran (along with Southwest) doles out free drinks on various holidays.

Our survey was based on in-flight experience data from J.D. Power & Associates's 2013 North American Airline Satisfaction Study and flight delay and cancellation numbers from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Click here to see our full methodology.

In-Flight Experience: 705 out of 1000

Timeliness: 763.4 out of 1000

In 2010, this Texas-based low-cost airline was purchased by Southwest. Like Southwest, AirTran makes its customers happy. It doesn’t pay its pilots very well, but it likely won some fans when it kicked 100 rowdy high school students off a plane this summer.

For an extra treat, AirTran (along with Southwest) doles out free drinks on various holidays.

Our survey was based on in-flight experience data from J.D. Power & Associates's 2013 North American Airline Satisfaction Study and flight delay and cancellation numbers from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Click here to see our full methodology.

In-Flight Experience: 770 out of 1000

Timeliness: 729.7 out of 1000

Southwest dominated the JD Power Satisfaction Study, but a weaker on-time / cancellation score knocked it into second place.

Since taking off in 1971, it has become the world’s largest low-cost carrier, expanding far beyond its name to offer flights to 97 destinations in 41 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Early on, its success gave birth to the “Southwest Effect” — the drop in fares in any geographical market it entered. That has faded a bit since, but customers still know that with Southwest “bags fly free.” In a time when checking a bag comes with extra fees just about everywhere else, that messaging matters.

Our survey was based on in-flight experience data from J.D. Power & Associates's 2013 North American Airline Satisfaction Study and flight delay and cancellation numbers from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Click here to see our full methodology.

In-Flight Experience: 717 out of 1000

Timeliness: 827.5 out of 1000

The airline based in the 49th state is on a roll. It has announced it will try using two exits to get customers of its Boeing 737s faster once the flight is over. It’s increasing its use of solar power for passenger ramps. It was just named the most fuel efficient American carrier.

And it’s being honored by Anchorage’s Alaska Jewish Museum for its role in transporting 50,000 Jews from Yemen to the newly founded Israel between 1948 and 1950.

Those kinds of efforts and press gave it an excellent score of 770 in the JD Power survey. Combine that with a national best on-time score of 827.5 and the great booze they serve on board, and you find it at the top of our list.

Our survey was based on in-flight experience data from J.D. Power & Associates's 2013 North American Airline Satisfaction Study and flight delay and cancellation numbers from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Click here to see our full methodology.

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