Southwest Airlines Ranks Third in Best U.S. Airlines Report by The Points Guy
The last 18 months or so have been eventful for Southwest Airlines. The company has made a number of changes, some of them unpopular, while still attempting to maintain its standing as one of America's most beloved budget airlines.
Overall, the latest Best U.S. Airlines study from The Points Guy paints a pretty solid picture for Southwest and its customers. The company rated well overall and stood out in particular for its reliability and other factors.
What to know about The Points Guy's report
Published annually by the popular travel website, The Points Guy's Best Airlines study rates air carriers across four weighted categories:
- Experience (20%)
- Reliability (30%)
- Loyalty (25%)
- Costs and reach (20%)
"The aviation industry has gone through one of the most challenging years on record," said The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly in a press release to Men's Journal. "From operational challenges to evolving traveler expectations, airlines have had to adapt quickly. Our Best Airlines Report cuts through the noise to provide travelers with a data-driven look at which carriers are delivering the best overall experience, helping consumers book with confidence and choose the airline that best fits their needs."
Where did Southwest finish this year?
Overall, Southwest Airlines came in third out of eight airlines, behind only United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, the latter of which won the competition for the eighth-year in a row.
Southwest's finish was "due in large part to its strong operational performance," and there's room for bigger things in 2027 and beyond.
"If Southwest bolsters its offerings with lounges (as rumored) don't be surprised if it makes a run at the top spot," said The Points Guy's Sean Cudahy.
While Southwest does not offer lounges, and the Dallas-based brand lagged in loyalty and travel experience, finishing sixth in both categories, it led the way in affordability and came in third in reliability.
Southwest is also one of only two airlines, along with JetBlue, to offer free wi-fi on all planes in 2026.
Full 2026 Best U.S. Airlines rankings, per The Points Guy
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Alaska Air Group (Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines)
- American Airlines
- JetBlue
- Allegiant Air
- Frontier Airlines
You can find more information here.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 8:30 AM.