Overview
- JD Power, which released its 2026 North America Airline Satisfaction Study on Wednesday, reported an eight-point jump in overall satisfaction from last year driven by better premium experiences.
- JetBlue ranked highest in first and business class, Delta led premium economy for a fourth straight year, and Southwest topped economy for the fifth year in a row.
- Southwest’s lead in economy narrowed to three points over Delta after the airline added assigned seating and new checked-bag fees during the survey period, which could affect future scores.
- The study surveyed more than 10,000 recent flyers between March 2025 and March 2026 across seven factors that included staff, digital tools, on-board experience, and value for price paid.
- JD Power cautioned that fast-rising airfares and added fees to cover costs could undercut this year’s gains in how travelers rate their trips.