Airline Oscars Shock: Southwest Airlines Wins Top Spot, Ending Delta's Four-Year Reign.

The annual Wall Street Journal (WSJ) ranking of US airlines delivered a major surprise this year. Southwest Airlines secured the top spot.

This victory ends a four-year winning streak for Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines.

Dallas-based Southwest, the largest US domestic carrier by passengers, last won the award in 2020.

The New Industry Leader

Southwest's win came by a wide margin in the 2025 scorecard.

The ranking measures nine major US airlines. It uses seven equally weighted operational metrics. These metrics include on-time arrivals and customer complaints.

Southwest ranked near the top across all seven measures. The airline had the fewest customer complaints and tarmac delays.

It placed second for both on-time arrivals and flight cancellations. Its lowest score was fourth place for baggage handling.

Controversy Behind the Win

Southwest's victory is notable after a controversial year. The airline rolled out significant business changes.

These changes included charging for checked bags on certain fares. They also introduced assigned seating for the first time.

These moves angered some long-time customers. They represent a major shift from the airline’s traditional model.

Southwest's Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Watterson, noted the airline has invested billions. This funding was used to improve operations after the late 2022 travel meltdown.

Delta and Allegiant's Standings

Delta fell to third place in the overall rankings. This follows its four consecutive years at number one.

Despite the drop, Delta maintained its strength in one key area. It comfortably won the on-time arrivals category. This marks its fifth year in a row at the top.

Ultra-low-cost carrier Allegiant Air came in second place. This was a strong showing for the Las Vegas-based no-frills airline.

Allegiant ranked first for both fewest cancelled flights and fewest mishandled baggage reports. It also led in avoiding involuntary bumping.

Spirit's Surprising Operational Climb

Spirit Airlines, another budget carrier, saw a major improvement. It leapt up three places in the annual ranking.

This operational gain is surprising given its financial troubles. Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2024.

It filed for bankruptcy again in August 2025. The airline is currently in talks for a potential takeover.

This improvement suggests that operational performance can be decoupled from financial stability. Spirit managed to avoid a last-place finish.

The Bottom of the Scorecard

At the bottom of the scorecard, two carriers tied for last place. American Airlines and Frontier Airlines both finished eighth.

This tie shows that both major legacy carriers and budget airlines can struggle. Both fell short of industry standards and passenger expectations.

Overall, the industry's performance remained steady from the previous year. Industry averages for cancellations, lost baggage, and passenger bumping were essentially unchanged.

The WSJ's annual scorecard provides a critical look at US domestic carrier reliability. The full results are published in The Wall Street Journal.

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