When planning a vacation, we want to fastest way to get from Point A to Point B without overthinking how you’re going to get there. It can be challenging to pick one over the other with numerous airlines. Today, we will be reviewing American Airlines’ competitors to get a better understanding of the industry.
#1. Delta
- Founded: 1945
- Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Need To Know
Delta is one of the most highly rated US-based airlines due to its on-time record. (83% of their flights arrived within 15 minutes of their scheduled time. Delta also has unique lounges at airports across America. Delta also has a robust, frequent flyer program that keeps customers coming back.
#2. Southwest Airlines
- Founded: 1967
- Headquarters: Dallas, Texas, USA
Need To Know
Southwest Airlines is an excellent airline for travelers looking for cheap flights with good service and security. Their flight change policy is unmatched. Southwest Airlines doesn’t have a change fee – despite most airlines charging $100+. Southwest will allow you to rebook for the lower price if ticket prices drop. Southwest Airlines ranked in the top 15 safest airlines in the world. Southwest also has one of the unique boarding processes out there. Southwest doesn’t assign seats. Instead, all passengers are free to choose the seat they’d like upon boarding.
#3. United Airlines
- Founded: 1926
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Need To Know
In an analysis conducted by AirlineRatings.com of the safest airlines globally, United ranked among the top 20 airlines out of 385 total carriers. United Airlines is an excellent choice for those US travelers that live close to one of eight airport hubs – Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Denver, Guam, Newark, and Washington, D.C. In an analysis of the best airline loyalty programs for 2021 conducted by NerdWallet, the United MileagePlus program ranked 6th and tied with Delta Airlines.
#4. Frontier Airlines
- Founded: February 8, 1994
- Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, USA
Need To Know
Frontier Airlines is Certified as a 3-Star Low-Cost Airline due to their onboard product and staff service. Factors contributing to an airline’s product rating include luggage/seat changes, cabin cleanliness, onboard food and beverages, cabin comfort, and customer service. Frontier Airlines is known as “America’s greenest airline” since the airline has an average of 43% fuel savings compared to other American carriers.
#5. Sun Country Airlines
- Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Founded: June 1982
Need To Know
Sun Country is an ultra-low-cost airline, the eleventh largest in the US. Sun country is Certified as a 3-Star Low-Cost Airline due to their onboard product and staff service. Factors contributing to an airline’s product rating include luggage/seat changes, cabin cleanliness, onboard food and beverages, cabin comfort, and customer service. Despite providing less luggage occupancy than other airlines and no-free carry-on available, they make up for it with their low prices. Sun Country accepts over 160 different currencies at no additional cost, unheard of in the US airline industry.
#6. Alaska Air
- Founded: 1932
- Headquarters: SeaTac, Washington, USA
Need To Know
Alaska Airlines has excellent customer service and has very loyal customers. Alaska Airlines is commonly named “Best U.S. Airline” by many passenger-voted awards such as Kayak, Condé Nast Traveller, and more! Alaska Airlines acquired Virgin America in 2016 for roughly $4 billion and continued to operate under their original name before they fully merged with Alaska Airlines in April 2018.
#7. Air France KLM
- Founded: October 7, 1933
- Headquarters: Tremblay-en-France, France
Need To Know
Air France is one of the largest airlines in the world. Air France is Certified as a 4-Start Airline for their excellent customer service and airport/onboard product. Air France was one of 4 airlines that flew the Concorde. Air France did so from 1976 until 2003. In 2003, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air France announced that they would be merging. The merger was completed in 2004.
#8. Spirit Airlines
- Founded: 1983
- Headquarters: Miramar, Florida, USA
Need To Know
Spirit Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier, so it is essential to calibrate your expectations. This means you may need to wait in long lines, there won’t be amenities aboard, and there will not be complimentary food or drinks. Spirit operates fewer flights on several routes than their full-service competitors, meaning there are fewer re-routing options if your flight is delayed or canceled. Spirit also encourages online check-ins via their website or app when applicable. Any other check-in option is subject to fees. However, Spirit will waive the fees if your trip doesn’t allow online check-in.
#9. JetBlue
- Founded: August 1998
- Headquarters: Long Island City, New York, USA
Need To Know
JetBlue is an excellent choice for people looking for a reliable airline with cozy seats and tasty food. What makes Jet Blue even better is their TVs on their flights. With the rise of tech use, some airlines have removed TVs from their aircraft altogether and expect passengers to bring their own devices. Jet Blue initially tried to acquire Virgin America to increase the number of domestic flights it offered. However, they were unsuccessful, and Alaska Airways eventually made the acquisition. JetBlue was also one of the only airlines to profit after the 9/11 attacks.
#10. Virgin America
- Founded: January 26, 2004
- Headquarters: Burlingame, California, USA
Need To Know
Virgin America was the first airline to make foldable boarding passes. All seats on aircraft include seat-to-seat messaging, which is unheard of in the industry. Virgin America is incredibly eco-friendly. Virgin America is up to 20% more fuel and carbon-efficient than the average US airline. Each aircraft’s mood lighting has 12 shades that adapt to outside light, allowing optimal optical comfort. All of Virgin America’s airplanes have unique names, some of them being: Rabid Badger, Pineapple Express, Runway Angel, and Unicorn Chaser. Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin America, owns his own island!
#11. Continental Airlines
- Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
- Founded: 1937
Need To Know
Continental Airlines has roughly 2,700 departures every day and 40,000 employees. In 2010, Continental Airlines merged with United Airlines. At one point, Continental Airlines was the fourth-largest airline in the US based on revenue passenger miles.
.