WalletHub published last week a roundup of the best airlines of 2026, gauging carriers based on key metrics like cancellation and delay rates, mishandled baggage incidents and in-flight accommodations. The best overall? None other than Spirit Airlines, which earned the top score of 74.33 out of 100 points.

The primary contributing factors behind that top ranking included Spirit Airlines having the lowest rate of cancelations, delays, baggage mishaps and denied boardings compared to its competitors, WalletHub analysts noted.

Texas’ Southwest Airlines trailed behind Spirit but still cinched the No. 2 spot courtesy an overall score of 64.44 out of 100 points. Rounding out the top five were SkyWest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. 

Alongside its overall praise, WalletHub deemed Spirit the most affordable and most reliable airline, while the title for most comfortable airline was split between JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Those comfort scores assessed in-flight experience offerings, with particular kudos given to airlines that offered free amenities like WiFi onboard, extra legroom and complimentary snacks and drinks.

As for the drawbacks, the worst offenders on the cancelled flights front included Frontier, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines in the bottom three with scores of 0, 1.72 and 2.77 out of a maximum of eight points, respectively. With delays, Frontier, American Airlines and JetBlue Airways had the worst performances, at 0, 1.54 and 3.15 points out of a maximum of 18.

While the report found Spirit to be the overall best airline of the year, its financial standing is less than stellar at the moment. Spirit officials are reportedly having discussions with President Donald Trump’s administration over a potential rescue package for the business, which could entail a $500 million offer and a governmental takeover, per CNBC reporting on Thursday, April 23.

That proposal has drawn sharp criticism from some conservative politicians, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). 

“This is an absolutely TERRIBLE idea,” Cruz wrote in a social media post on Wednesday, April 22, adding the “government doesn’t know a damn thing about running a failed budget airline.”

MySA reached out to Southwest Airlines for comment on the new ranking, but did not hear back in time of publication.