Five Popular U.S. Airlines by Customer Satisfaction (2025)

(UNITED STATES) For many new arrivals to the United States 🇺🇸—from work visa holders to international students and families joining loved ones—the airline you choose can shape the start of your journey. Based on 2025 survey data and expert reviews, the five most popular U.S. carriers ranked by customer satisfaction are Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines. This ranked guide explains what the scores mean, why they matter for travelers with visas or pending status, and how each airline’s strengths, policies, and recent changes may affect your travel plans.

How we ranked these airlines and why it matters for immigrants

This list synthesizes the latest 2025 industry sources that track customer satisfaction across cabins and routes. The ranking reflects:

• J.D. Power’s North American Airline Satisfaction Study (over 10,000 passengers surveyed March 2024–March 2025). Scores include staff, digital tools, ease of travel, trust, on-board and pre/post-flight experience, and value for price paid.
• The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) 2025, showing overall satisfaction at the industry level and by airline.
• Aggregated industry analyses and expert reports emphasizing consistent performance over time.

Two policy changes also shape the 2025 traveler experience:

• Automatic cash refunds for cancellations and long delays under U.S. Department of Transportation rules effective October 2024. You can review the official DOT refund guidance here: U.S. DOT Airline Refunds.
• TSA REAL ID enforcement began May 7, 2025, tightening ID requirements for domestic flights. While not a satisfaction score, it affects check-in stress and documents you must carry.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, travelers on temporary visas often value reliability, clear change/refund paths, and strong digital tools—features closely tied to customer satisfaction scores. Use this ranking to balance price with on-time performance, service recovery, and policies that protect your trip when your immigration schedule shifts.

1) Delta Air Lines

• Position and scores: #1 overall for the seventh straight year; ACSI 2025: 77 (steady). J.D. Power ranks Delta #1 in premium economy for the third year running.
• Core strengths: Reliability, operational efficiency, polished premium cabins, and a strong loyalty program. Delta recovered quickly from a major 2024 IT outage and sustained high satisfaction—important for travelers who can’t risk missed immigration interviews or I‑9 onboarding deadlines.
• Cabin experience: Premium economy and upgraded long-haul cabins draw high marks. For travelers needing a quieter cabin to study or prepare for work, this is valuable.
• Digital tools and ease: App upgrades improve same-day changes, seat switches, and irregular operations rebooking—helpful if visa stamping delays force rapid itinerary changes.
• Costs and policies to weigh: Not always the cheapest, especially in premium cabins. But strong service recovery can reduce hidden costs (e.g., overnight hotels after cancellations).
• Practical use case: If you’re arriving for a job start date and cannot miss onboarding, prioritize Delta’s reliability. Keep screenshots of schedules and receipts for delay costs; DOT rules may support cash refunds for qualifying delays.
• Contact and help: Book and manage trips at delta.com. Arrive early with passport, visa, and any employer or school letters if you need document help at check-in.

2) Southwest Airlines

• Position and scores: J.D. Power ranks Southwest #1 for economy/basic economy for the fourth straight year. ACSI 2025: 80 (up 3%).
• Core strengths: Historically low add-on fees and customer-friendly policies, dependable operations, and low cancellation rates—appealing to budget-focused students and families.
• Policy change watch: Southwest introduced checked bag fees and tightened some policies in mid‑2025. These changes can affect the total trip cost, so plan packing and budget carefully if you relied on free checked bags for a relocation.
• Economy experience: Simple seats but consistent service and friendly staff. Predictable boarding and quick turns help for short-haul trips to consulates or USCIS ASC appointments.
• Digital and schedule flexibility: Easy rebooking is useful if an immigration appointment shifts. Confirm fare rules at purchase—the new fees can change the math for families moving household items.
• Costs and refunds: DOT refund rules may entitle you to cash refunds for cancellations or significant delays. Keep original itineraries and records of airline-made schedule changes.
• Practical use case: Families traveling with children or students on a budget can still find Southwest appealing. Always price the full journey including bags and priority boarding.
• Contact and help: Plan trips at southwest.com. Keep visa documents and sealed packets in your carry-on for easy access at boarding and secondary inspection.

3) JetBlue Airways

• Position and scores: J.D. Power ranks JetBlue #1 for first/business class in 2025 (retaking top spot after 2024). ACSI 2025: 77 (steady).
• Core strengths: Strong premium cabins for the price, great in-flight experience, and digital features for seat selection and same-day changes. Comfort and connectivity reduce travel stress for coast-to-coast trips for consular processing or dependent travel.
• Network and timing: Network is smaller than Delta or United; timeliness varies by route. Build buffer time for immigration appointments or new-hire start dates.
• Partnerships and growth: A blocked merger with Spirit reshaped strategy; JetBlue is expanding premium offerings and partnerships—positive for travelers wanting comfort without legacy-carrier pricing.
• Costs and value: Mint (business) and premium economy cost more but offer seats, screens, and Wi‑Fi useful for work on legal forms or orientation tasks mid-flight.
• Refunds and changes: Monitor the app for delay alerts. If delays meet DOT refund thresholds, request cash back and document schedule changes and boarding passes.
• Practical use case: Graduate students needing Wi‑Fi and extra space for paperwork may favor JetBlue’s premium options on key routes.
• Contact and help: Check options at jetblue.com. For sensitive documents, request gate-check for larger carry-ons rather than placing crucial papers in checked baggage.

4) Alaska Airlines

• Position and scores: Strong overall in 2025 expert lists (often #4 overall). ACSI 2025: 76 (down from 82 in 2024), a dip tied to a MAX 737 incident in early 2024.
• Core strengths: Customer care, lounge access in key cities, and a loyalty program valued by frequent travelers—useful for those waiting on priority dates or EAD approval.
• Safety and recovery: The 2024 incident affected sentiment, but Alaska’s service recovery and operational focus helped stabilize satisfaction. For families, the steady response builds trust.
• Cabin and comfort: Clean, friendly experience with thoughtful touches. Dependable for regional trips and West Coast corridors used by tech workers and students.
• Fees and value: Often priced well versus legacy carriers. Lounge access can make long layovers easier when connecting to immigration interviews or biometric appointments.
• Refunds and changes: Know fare rules and use the app to adjust plans if consulate appointments shift. DOT refund protections apply—keep records for claims.
• Practical use case: A parent visiting on a B‑2 visa to help a student settle in may prefer Alaska’s service, West Coast network, and family-friendly boarding.
• Contact and help: Manage travel at alaskaair.com. Store original civil records (birth or marriage certificates) in waterproof sleeves in your carry-on.

5) United Airlines

• Position and scores: High marks in some 2025 expert rankings (#2 overall in certain lists). ACSI 2025: 73 (down 3%), affected by operational disruptions and baggage handling issues.
• Core strengths: Vast international network valuable for returning abroad for visa stamping (H‑1B, L‑1, F‑1), and improving reliability trends. MileagePlus status and partners can give lounge access during tight schedules.
• Partnerships and reach: Announced “Blue Sky” partnership with JetBlue, expanding routing options—helpful for connecting smaller cities to major consulates.
• Cabin and product: Competitive long-haul cabins and premium economy on many routes. Be vigilant about checked baggage given past handling challenges.
• Refunds and service recovery: Use DOT refund rules to support claims after long delays. Keep airline messages and receipts; file claims promptly and track responses.
• Practical use case: A traveler doing consular processing who needs reliable long-haul options and alliance coverage may prefer United’s network—plan extra time for connections.
• Contact and help: Book and manage at united.com. Keep passport and employment authorization card handy for check-in and boarding.

Tips to protect your trip when your immigration plans change

• Always carry originals in your cabin bag: passport, visa, admission stamp or I‑94 printout, and any school/employer letters. Keep photos on your phone as backup.
• Build buffer time. Avoid same‑day connections before visa interviews, USCIS biometrics, or start dates whenever possible.
• Use airline apps. Rebook promptly during irregular operations and save chat logs or messages to support refund requests.
• Know refund rights. Under DOT rules, cash refunds must be available for cancellations and long delays. See: U.S. DOT Airline Refunds.
• Track total trip cost. Fare + bag fees + seat fees + potential overnight costs can exceed a slightly higher fare on a more reliable airline.

How to read customer satisfaction if you’re a visa traveler

Customer satisfaction signals how well an airline handles the details that matter when your timeline is tied to government processes.

• Delta sets the pace on reliability and premium economy comfort—choose it when timing is strict.
• Southwest remains the economy value leader even with new bag fees—good for budget-conscious families after accounting for added charges.
• JetBlue excels in first/business class for travelers who want comfort without legacy-carrier pricing.
• Alaska offers a warm, family-friendly experience with solid loyalty value despite a setback in 2024.
• United provides unmatched global reach—vital for visa stamping or family visits—but plan extra time for connections and baggage handling.

Match the airline’s score to your specific risk:
1. If you must not miss onboarding or an interview, favor reliability and strong service recovery.
2. If you’re on a tight budget, add all fees before you buy.
3. If you need workspace and quiet on board, consider premium economy or business where the airline scores best.

Ranked list with immigration-focused guidance

1. Delta Air Lines — best for reliability and premium economy; strong choice when timing is strict.
2. Southwest Airlines — economy leader with changing fee structure; still a budget ally for many families.
3. JetBlue Airways — top in first/business class; comfort and digital tools for long study or work trips.
4. Alaska Airlines — friendly service and loyalty perks; good for regional relocations and family visits.
5. United Airlines — global network strength; plan baggage and allow extra time for connections.

Practical next steps

1. Compare fares and rules on each airline’s site:
   • Delta: delta.com
   • Southwest: southwest.com
   • JetBlue: jetblue.com
   • Alaska: alaskaair.com
   • United: united.com
2. Check your ID and travel document plan. If your state ID isn’t REAL ID-compliant, use your passport for domestic flights.
3. If your interview or start date could slip, pick fares that allow low-cost changes and track refund eligibility during disruptions.
4. Save all correspondence. For refunds, include flight numbers, dates, receipts, and clear notes on the disruption.

VisaVerge.com reports that travelers who match their risk profile to an airline’s proven strengths experience fewer missed milestones and lower out-of-pocket costs after disruptions. Customer satisfaction isn’t just a number—it’s a measure of how well a carrier supports you when your immigration path demands timely, stress-tested travel.

Key takeaway: prioritize reliability and clear refund/change policies when your immigration timeline is fixed; factor in total costs (including new or changing fees) if you’re budget-sensitive; use premium cabins or carriers with strong digital tools when you need workspace and reduced travel stress.