Top Airlines in United States – Complete List
Here is the list of top United State’s largest passenger airlines in terms of enplaned passengers, fleet size, revenue, scheduled passengers carried, scheduled passenger-kilometers flown, and number of destinations served. Click on the airline name below to know more about flights details, sale and other information available at Aliflights. The list currently does not include many smaller airlines and airlines specifically operated for charters, cargo and flight training.
The United States boasts one of the most extensive and diverse aviation industries in the world, with numerous airlines catering to various travel needs and preferences. On this page, we have provided a comprehensive list of the top airlines in the United States, both major and regional carriers, to help you make informed decisions when booking your next flight. The airlines are ranked based on criteria such as passenger volume, fleet size, route networks, customer satisfaction, and on-time performance.
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List of all Major and Regional Airlines in the US
| Airline | Description |
|---|---|
| American Airlines | A major airline headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, operating domestic and international flights |
| Delta Air Lines | A major airline based in Atlanta, Georgia, offering domestic and international flights |
| United Airlines | A large airline headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, operating domestic and international routes |
| Southwest Airlines | A low-cost airline based in Dallas, Texas, primarily focused on domestic flights |
| Alaska Airlines | A major airline based in Seattle, Washington, with a strong focus on the West Coast |
| JetBlue Airways | A low-cost airline headquartered in New York City, offering flights in the U.S. and to the Caribbean and Latin America |
| Spirit Airlines | An ultra-low-cost carrier based in Miramar, Florida, providing flights in the U.S., the Caribbean, and Latin America |
| Frontier Airlines | A low-cost airline based in Denver, Colorado, operating domestic and select international flights |
| Hawaiian Airlines | The largest airline in Hawaii, providing flights between the Hawaiian Islands and to the mainland U.S. and the Pacific region |
| Allegiant Air | A low-cost airline headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, focusing on domestic flights to smaller cities and leisure destinations |
| Sun Country Airlines | A low-cost airline based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, offering flights within the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean |
| Cape Air | A regional airline based in Hyannis, Massachusetts, providing service to destinations in the Northeastern U.S., the Caribbean, and Micronesia |
| Ravn Alaska | A regional airline based in Anchorage, Alaska, serving communities across the state of Alaska |
| Silver Airways | A regional airline based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, offering flights within Florida, the Bahamas, and the southeastern U.S. |
| SkyWest Airlines | A regional airline headquartered in St. George, Utah, operating flights for American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express, and Alaska Airlines under contract agreements |
| Mesa Airlines | A regional airline based in Phoenix, Arizona, operating flights as American Eagle and United Express on behalf of American Airlines and United Airlines, respectively |
| Republic Airways | A regional airline headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, operating flights for American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express under contract agreements |
| Endeavor Air | A regional airline based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, operating as a Delta Connection carrier for Delta Air Lines |
| PSA Airlines | A regional airline headquartered in Vandalia, Ohio, operating flights for American Airlines as American Eagle |
| Envoy Air | A regional airline based in Irving, Texas, operating flights for American Airlines as American Eagle |
| Compass Airlines | A regional airline headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which ceased operations in April 2020 |
Major U.S. Airlines
American Airlines
Founded in 1926, American Airlines is one of the world’s largest airlines, with its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. It operates an extensive domestic and international route network, with its main hubs at Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, and Philadelphia. American Airlines is known for its extensive frequent flyer program, AAdvantage, and its membership in the Oneworld alliance.
Delta Air Lines
Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines is another major U.S. airline, offering a wide range of domestic and international flights. Established in 1925, its primary hubs include Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York JFK, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. Delta is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance and offers a robust frequent flyer program called SkyMiles.
United Airlines
Founded in 1926, United Airlines is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and operates a vast network of domestic and international routes. Its major hubs are located in Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington Dulles. United is a member of the Star Alliance and has a popular frequent flyer program called MileagePlus.
Southwest Airlines
Established in 1967, Southwest Airlines is a popular low-cost carrier based in Dallas, Texas, primarily focused on domestic flights within the United States. Southwest is known for its two free checked bags policy, no change fees, and a straightforward fare structure. Its largest operational bases are in Baltimore, Chicago Midway, Dallas Love Field, Denver, and Las Vegas.
Alaska Airlines
With a strong focus on the West Coast, Alaska Airlines, founded in 1932, is based in Seattle, Washington. Its main hubs are in Seattle, Portland, Anchorage, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Alaska Airlines is recognized for its outstanding customer service and Mileage Plan frequent flyer program, which offers generous rewards and partnerships with various international carriers.
JetBlue Airways
Founded in 1999, JetBlue Airways is a low-cost airline headquartered in New York City, offering flights within the United States and to select international destinations, primarily in the Caribbean and Latin America. Its main base is at New York JFK, with focus cities in Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue is known for its comfortable seats, complimentary in-flight entertainment, and free Wi-Fi, branded as “Fly-Fi.”
Spirit Airlines
Established in 1983, Spirit Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier based in Miramar, Florida, providing flights throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Spirit’s primary focus is on offering low base fares, with passengers paying extra for add-ons such as bags, seat selection, and in-flight refreshments. Its largest bases include Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Las Vegas.
Frontier Airlines
Founded in 1994, Frontier Airlines is a low-cost airline based in Denver, Colorado, operating flights within the United States and to select international destinations. Frontier focuses on offering low fares and allowing passengers to customize their travel experience by choosing additional services like baggage, seat selection, and priority boarding. Its main hub is in Denver, with focus cities in Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando, and Philadelphia.
Hawaiian Airlines
As the largest airline in Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines was founded in 1929 and provides flights between the Hawaiian Islands and to the mainland United States, as well as destinations in Asia and the Pacific region. Its main hub is at Honolulu, with a secondary hub in Kahului. Hawaiian Airlines is known for its warm hospitality, complimentary in-flight meals, and strong on-time performance.
Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air, established in 1997, is a low-cost airline headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. It focuses on providing flights from smaller cities and leisure destinations within the United States. Allegiant’s business model is based on offering low base fares and charging additional fees for services like baggage and seat selection. Its main operating base is in Las Vegas, with focus cities in Orlando, St. Petersburg, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.
Regional U.S. Airlines
Sun Country Airlines
Sun Country Airlines is a low-cost airline based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, founded in 1982. It offers flights within the United States, as well as to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Sun Country is known for its affordable fares and seasonal service to popular vacation destinations.
Cape Air
Established in 1989, Cape Air is a regional airline based in Hyannis, Massachusetts, providing service to destinations in the Northeastern United States, the Caribbean, and Micronesia. Cape Air primarily operates small aircraft, offering a more intimate flying experience and access to smaller airports in the regions it serves.
Ravn Alaska
Ravn Alaska is a regional airline based in Anchorage, Alaska, founded in 1948. It serves communities across the state of Alaska, providing essential transportation links and cargo services to remote locations. Ravn Alaska operates a fleet of small aircraft specially designed for the challenging Alaskan environment.
Silver Airways
Founded in 2010, Silver Airways is a regional airline based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, offering flights within Florida, the Bahamas, and the southeastern United States. Silver Airways operates a fleet of turboprop aircraft, providing service to smaller airports and communities.
SkyWest Airlines
SkyWest Airlines, established in 1972 and headquartered in St. George, Utah, is a regional airline operating flights for American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express, and Alaska Airlines under contract agreements. With a diverse fleet of regional jets, SkyWest serves a vast network of cities across North America.
Mesa Airlines
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Mesa Airlines is a regional airline founded in 1982. It operates flights as American Eagle and United Express on behalf of American Airlines and United Airlines, respectively. Mesa Airlines serves a range of destinations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico with its fleet of regional jets.
Republic Airways
Republic Airways, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a regional airline founded in 1974. It operates flights for American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express under contract agreements, serving an extensive network of cities across North America with its fleet of regional aircraft.
Endeavor Air
Endeavor Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, is a regional airline based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1985, Endeavor operates as a Delta Connection carrier, providing flights to a variety of destinations across the United States and Canada.
PSA Airlines
PSA Airlines, founded in 1980, is a regional airline headquartered in Vandalia, Ohio. It operates flights for American Airlines as American Eagle, serving destinations across the United States and Canada with a fleet of regional jets. PSA Airlines has primary hubs in Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
Envoy Air
Envoy Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group, is a regional airline based in Irving, Texas, founded in 1984. Envoy operates as American Eagle, providing flights to various destinations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Its main hubs are in Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Miami.
Low-Cost Carriers in the United States
Low-Cost Carriers in the United States: Low-cost carriers (LCCs) have revolutionized air travel in the United States by offering affordable fares and no-frills services. These airlines prioritize cost-saving strategies, such as operating single aircraft types, flying point-to-point routes, and charging extra for amenities like baggage, seat selection, and in-flight meals. While LCCs often provide lower base fares, passengers should be aware of additional fees that can add up, and consider factors such as comfort, convenience, and overall value when booking flights.
Airline Alliances and Partnerships
Airline alliances and partnerships play a significant role in the United States aviation industry. The three major alliances—Oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam—provide benefits to passengers by offering more flight options, convenient connections, and the ability to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles across partner airlines. These alliances allow airlines to expand their networks and offer better services to travelers, while also improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Customer Satisfaction and Airline Rankings
Customer satisfaction and airline rankings are crucial indicators of an airline’s performance and reputation. Sources such as the annual Airline Quality Rating (AQR) report, J.D. Power airline satisfaction studies, and Skytrax World Airline Awards provide valuable insights into the best-performing airlines in terms of customer satisfaction, on-time performance, and overall service quality. Travelers should consult these sources when choosing an airline for their journey.
The United States has a diverse array of airlines catering to different travel needs and preferences. From major carriers with extensive route networks to regional airlines connecting smaller communities, and low-cost carriers offering affordable fares, passengers have a wide range of options when booking flights. When choosing an airline, it is essential to consider factors such as price, convenience, comfort, and loyalty programs to ensure a satisfactory travel experience.
