Sometimes cheaping out on a flight ticket means no legroom or fees for every little amenity. It can be a great way to save money, but I’d personally like to avoid the downsides that come with some budget fares.
A recent analysis can help you make the best choice for your money, though.
WalletHub compiled its latest annual rankings of the best airlines using U.S. Department of Transportation flight data for the nine biggest national airlines as well as two regional carriers. They considered amenities such as legroom, in-flight entertainment, free Wi-Fi and complimentary snacks and drinks when determining the ranking for the most comfortable airlines.
The website excluded regional carriers Envoy and SkyWest from its comfort rankings, though, saying that since the carriers serve other major airlines, those may dictate the amenities offered.
With that in mind, let’s get into the top national airlines for amenities and comfort, according to WalletHub.
Hawaiian Airlines
Overall comfort score for:
- 2025: 5 out of 5 points (the best possible score)
- 2024: 4 out of 5 points
Hawaiian Airlines started as Inter-Island Steam Navigation Co. around the turn of the 20th century, providing the largest fleet of steamships serving the then-U.S. territory.
A couple of decades later, convinced of the importance of flight service to the islands, it formed Inter-Island Airways. In 1929, sightseeing was offered for $5 in a Bellanca monoplane — the original of which has been restored and regularly flies over Oahu.
Another couple of decades later, changing its name to Hawaiian Airlines, it offered the first scheduled air cargo service, earning the first U.S. Cargo Certificate.
JetBlue Airways
Overall comfort score for:
- 2025: 5 out of 5 points (the best possible score)
- 2024: 5 out of 5 points
JetBlue was founded in 1998 with the goal of providing customers with high-quality travel at a lower cost. Its first flight left from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City and landed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2000.
On top of JetBlue’s lower costs, it also offers free Wi-Fi and complimentary snacks and beverages.
How the other airlines fared
Here’s how other major airlines compare in 2025 when it comes to comfort, according to WalletHub’s ranking. Four of the major airlines tied to come in behind Hawaiian Airlines and JetBlue:
- Alaska Airlines: 4.63 out of 5
- American Airlines: 4.63 out of 5
- Delta Air Lines: 4.63 out of 5
- Southwest Airlines: 4.63 out of 5
One airline trailed just slightly behind:
- United Airlines: 4.5 out of 5
And the last two carriers may be known for low-cost fares but not for creature comforts:
- Spirit Airlines: 0.5 out of 5
- Frontier Airlines: 0 out of 5
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