In a year marked by significant recovery and transformation within the airline industry, AirlineRatings.com has revealed its much-anticipated list of the world’s best airlines for 2024.
08.05.2024 - 10:13 / thepointsguy.com / Delta
Which airlines get the highest ratings from passengers? A major consumer analytics firm's latest report offers some answers.
Delta Air Lines received leading scores among passengers who recently flew in first-class, business-class or premium economy cabins, according to results unveiled Wednesday from J.D. Power's 2024 North American Airline Satisfaction Study.
Southwest Airlines led the way among economy travelers, and Delta came in second place.
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J.D. Power's annual airline rankings incorporate survey results from recent travelers on a slew of factors that contribute to the air travel experience. Factors include ease of travel, interactions with staff, on-board experience and value for price paid.
This year's rankings focused on airline performance between March 2023 and March 2024, as determined by surveys taken by passengers who flew the previous month.
Like recent years, the rankings are separated into three categories: first and business class, premium economy, and economy/basic economy.
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Here's how major North American carriers fared.
Average score: 701
This year's business/first class results saw Delta leapfrog JetBlue for the top spot after the Long Island City-based carrier's Mint product landed the airline the top spot in this category a year ago.
Delta continues to place a heavy focus on its premium offerings, noting in numerous recent quarterly reports that revenue growth in its premium cabins has outpaced economy.
Delta also led the way in premium economy satisfaction. Here are the results:
Average score: 675
The rankings for economy include a far longer (and different-looking) list. It encompasses both the network carriers and budget airlines — the latter of which don't have premium cabins.
Average score: 613
That Southwest took the top spot in the pivotal economy class rankings is noteworthy, considering the evaluation period started just months after its holiday 2022 meltdown.
Southwest poured more than a billion dollars into improving its operational reliability in the wake of that December 2022 chaos. It bolstered winter weather ground equipment and overhauled its technology and internal processes.
Between March 1, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Southwest canceled a mere 0.8% of flights, though close to a quarter were delayed, according to data from FlightAware analyzed by TPG.
The airline also fared far better this past holiday season. Although the airline has hinted at possible future changes to its product offerings, it continues to offer consumer-friendly options like two free checked bags, open seating and no change fees.
J.D. Power's report
In a year marked by significant recovery and transformation within the airline industry, AirlineRatings.com has revealed its much-anticipated list of the world’s best airlines for 2024.
Among the myriad of travel perks that can help you save money or enjoy complimentary upgrades, loyalty program membership stands out as a significant one. The second annual Barclays US Consumer Bank’s Travel Rewards and Loyalty Reports delve deep into the loyalty programs and benefits that are most frequently used by travelers, shedding light on their importance in the travel landscape.
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If you’ve ever sat in an even smaller than usual coach seat, had your flight canceled, or fought with a rude customer service agent—you know the airline you fly can make a huge difference in the pleasantness of your trip.
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Major US airlines sued the Department of Transportation on Friday over a rule that requires upfront fee disclosures for costs like baggage and itinerary changes.
J.D. Power just released its 2024 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, and while some airlines shone, others are clearly not prioritizing customer service. As domestic air travel continues to rise (with passenger volume increasing by 9.4% compared to the previous year) airlines find it challenging to maintain customer satisfaction amid crowded gates, overflowing overhead bins and rising ticket prices. However, the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, released on May 8, shows that some airlines are responding to these challenges by focusing heavily on staff training and doing what they can to improve the overall flight experience through friendly and attentive service. These efforts are paying off, allowing some airlines to deliver exceptional customer experiences despite the growing number of travelers.
Last night, I returned home to Miami after spending a bit longer than I had anticipated in San Diego, where I had been attending the Spring meeting of the International Aircraft Dealers Association, also known as IADA. In fact, I wasn’t supposed to be at home today.