Spirit Airlines, the discount carrier that emerged from bankruptcy protection earlier this year, topped all air carriers in WalletHub’s 2025 Best Airlines Survey.
WalletHub compared the nine largest U.S. airlines, plus two regional carriers, across 14 metrics. They ranged from cancellation and delay rates to baggage mishaps and in-flight comfort. Spirit, based in Dania Beach, Florida, was rated the best overall airline, the most affordable airline, and the safest airline. Its score of 69.12 edged out SkyWest Airlines’ tally of 68.08.
Among WalletHub’s other findings in its survey, Delta Air Lines had the lowest rate of cancellations, delays, mishandled luggage, and denied boardings. JetBlue and Hawaiian Airlines were the most comfortable. And SkyWest, United, and Envoy Air were best for pets.
There’s been considerable turbulence at Spirit, and not in the air. The airline known for its bright yellow markings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November after posting years of losses. Spirit lost $1.2 billion in 2024.
It rejected a takeover bid from Frontier Group for $2.16 billion in March before it emerged from bankruptcy. The company restructured its finances and reduced its debt by about $795 million in a debt-for-equity conversion. It also received a $350 million equity investment from existing investors to support its future initiatives.
As part of its turnaround strategy, the low-cost carrier, which had been profitable until the pandemic, plans to rebrand itself as a more premium airline and attract more affluent passengers.
Spirit Airlines Chief Executive Officer Ted Christie resigned in early April after leading the air carrier out of Chapter 11. Three senior executives will form the office of the president that will lead Spirit until a new CEO is appointed. The three are Fred Cromer, executive vice president and chief financial officer; John Bendoraitis, executive vice president and chief operating officer; and Thomas C. Canfield, senior vice president general counsel and secretary.
Spirit flies to more than 400 destinations in North America, South America, and the Caribbean. The airline flies out of Newark and Atlantic City airports. The air carrier announced last year that it was closing its crew flight base, made up of 157 pilots and flight attendants, at Atlantic City International Airport. The carrier was forced to furlough pilots as it struggled to cut costs. The carrier continues to fly out of Atlantic City.
