It’s been yet another rocky 12 months for air travel—three government shutdowns, leading to long waits at TSA checkpoints, skyrocketing fuel and checked bag costs, and flight cancellations due to weather and war.
Yet despite these major challenges, overall passenger satisfaction with North American airlines was up eight points (on a 1,000-point scale) compared to last year, according to the JD Power’s 2026 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, which was released on Wednesday.
“Despite many challenges, the airlines returned to basics of passenger communication, friendly service, and providing slightly better value for money compared to past years,” says Michael Taylor, senior managing director of travel, hospitality, retail, and customer service for JD Power.
But, he added, “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.”
How airline passenger satisfaction is measured
The 2025 edition of the study found that overall passenger satisfaction was up due in part to improved ratings for economy and basic economy; in 2026, the rise in overall contentment was thanks to a cool 17-point increase in satisfaction among first- and business-class passengers, followed by a 14-point increase by premium economy passengers, and and a 6-point increase among those flying in the economy and basic economy.
The survey divides airlines into three categories: first and business class; premium economy; and economy and basic economy. So, which airlines were best in class for each class of service? For the second year running, JetBlue Airways ranked highest for first- and business-class service—JetBlue calls this its Mint class. What better time to try it out than on one of JetBlue’s routes to Europe?
The airline ousted Delta Air Lines, which ranked No. 1 for its front-of-the-plane offering in 2024. Delta did, however, hang onto its top spot for its premium economy offering (it’s one of Afar editors’ favorite premium economy services). And despite fundamental change to Southwest in May 2025, the airline hung onto its first-place spot in the economy and basic economy category.
The report was based on a survey conducted from March 2025 to March 2026 that gathered responses from 10,914 passengers who had flown with a major North American airline within the past month.
For the 2026 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, overall passenger satisfaction was measured based on these seven factors:
- Airline staff
- Digital tools
- Ease of travel
- Level of trust
- Onboard experience
- Pre- and post-flight experience
- Value for price paid
In the JD Power 2026 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, the points are based on a 1,000-point scale. Here’s how the airlines stacked up.
The best North American airlines for first and business class
| 2026 ranking | 2025 ranking |
| JetBlue Airways – 759 points | JetBlue Airways – 738 points |
| Delta Air Lines – 750 points | Delta Air Lines – 724 points |
| Alaska Airlines – 720 points | Alaska Airlines – 709 points |
| United Airlines – 700 points | United Airlines – 690 points |
| American Airlines – 698 points | Air Canada – 686 points |
| Air Canada – 694 points | American Airlines – 684 points |
The best North American airlines for premium economy
| 2026 ranking | 2025 ranking |
| Delta Air Lines – 720 points | Delta Air Lines – 717 points |
| JetBlue Airways – 701 points | JetBlue Airways – 699 points |
| Alaska Airlines – 682 points | Alaska Airlines – 691 points |
| United Airlines – 665 points | United Airlines – 652 points |
| American Airlines – 657 points | American Airlines – 650 points |
| WestJet – 641 points | Air Canada – 616 points |
| Air Canada – 633 points | WestJet – 614 points |
The best North American airlines for economy and basic economy
| 2026 ranking | 2025 ranking |
| Southwest Airlines – 670 points | Southwest Airlines – 694 points |
| Delta Air Lines – 667 points | JetBlue Airways – 663 points |
| JetBlue Airways – 655 points | Delta Air Lines – 662 points |
| Alaska Airlines – 648 points | Alaska Airlines – 645 points |
| Allegiant Air – 630 points | Allegiant Air – 636 points |
| American Airlines – 624 points | United Airlines – 603 points |
| United Airlines – 608 points | American Airlines – 597 points |
| Air Canada – 576 points | Air Canada – 561 points |
| Spirit Airlines* – 560 points | WestJet – 537 points |
| WestJet – 533 points | Spirit Airlines – 526 points |
| Frontier Airlines – 533 points | Frontier Airlines – 520 points |
* This survey was conducted and the data compiled before Spirit Airlines ceased operations on May 2, 2026.
Related: 8 Ways to Get Business-Class Seats on Your Next Flight—Without Paying Full Price
This article was originally published in 2023 and most recently updated on May 6, 2026, with current information.
