Delta Air Lines Vs. Southwest: Which US Carrier Wins On Passenger Satisfaction In 2026

Two major passenger satisfaction studies published three weeks apart in 2026 reached opposite conclusions. The American Customer Satisfaction Index released its Travel Study on April 21, putting Delta Air Lines first industry-wide at 79, while Southwest Airlines fell from 80 to 77 and out of the top spot it held in 2025. J.D. Power released its North America Airline Satisfaction Study on May 6, ranking Southwest first in economy and basic economy at 670 for a fifth consecutive year, with Delta second at 667.