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The Best and Worst Airlines for 2022, Ranked

SmarterTravel

If you’ve ever sat in an even smaller than normal coach seat, had the same flight canceled/rescheduled multiple times, or fought with a rude customer service agent—then you know that the airline you fly with can make a huge difference in the pleasantness of your trip.

Improve your chances of having a good flight by choosing one of the airlines ranked as the best in the U.S.—and think twice before booking a ticket on one of the airlines that came in last.

Luggage storage site Bounce analyzed domestic and international airlines operating in the U.S. and scored them on a range of factors: on-time arrival and cancellation records, customer satisfaction ratings, and free luggage allowance to determine the best and worst airlines in the country.

The study included the 50 largest airlines worldwide, as well as the biggest 12 US-based airlines. 

The Best International Airlines

Circular images labeled 1,2, or 3 to show the ranking of the best international airlines of 2022
Singapore Airlines & All Nippon Airways & Korean Air

According to Bounce, Singapore Airlines is the best airline to fly. The airline earned top marks for its low cancellation rates (just 0.19 percent) and high on-time arrival rate (86.04 percent). 

  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. All Nippon Airways
  3. Korean Air

The Worst International Airlines

Circular images labeled 1,2, or 3 to show the ranking of the worst international airlines of 2022
Lion Air & Jakarta Airport & Flydubai

Lion Air was ranked the worst airline to fly internationally by Bounce, thanks to its dismal on-time rate of 42.27 percent (meaning Lion Air flights were late more often than they were on-time) and high 34.43 percent cancellation rate. The budget airline also scored poorly on customer satisfaction markers. 

  1. Lion Air
  2. Wings Air
  3. Flydubai

The Best US Airlines

Circular images labeled 1,2, or 3 to show the ranking of the best US airlines of 2022
Hawaiian Airlines & Alaska Airlines & Southwest Airlines

With an amazing on-time arrival rate of 90.28 percent, Hawaiian Airlines earned its spot as the best US airline. Surprised to see Southwest Airlines in third place after its recent cancellation debacle during the holiday season? This study was released before the carrier’s meltdown. 

  1. Hawaiian Airlines
  2. Alaska Airlines
  3. Southwest Airlines

The Worst US Airlines

Circular images labeled 1,2, or 3 to show the ranking of the worst US airlines of 2022
Spirit Airlines & Allegiant Air & United Airlines

Much-maligned Spirit Airlines earned last place on the list of the best airlines in the US for its pitiful customer satisfaction rates. Surprisingly, a non-budget airline, United, also made the bottom three. 

  1. Spirit Airlines
  2. Allegiant Air
  3. United Airlines

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