The Best AIrlines for Your Wallet: A Cost Comparison of Top U.S. Carriers

Are you someone who loves to travel but is always on the hunt for the best deals on airfare? Perhaps you’re willing to splurge for more comfort and amenities when you fly, even if it comes at a premium price. Either way, it pays to know which U.S. airlines offer the most affordable fares and which will set you back the most. With so many carriers to choose from, it can be tough to determine where each one falls on the spectrum from budget-friendly to high-end. Luckily, a recent study has done the legwork for you, ranking the top 10 U.S. airlines from cheapest to most expensive based on key financial metrics. The results provide a fascinating snapshot of the current domestic air travel landscape and may just change the way you book your next flight. So, fasten your seatbelt, and let’s take a closer look at which airlines are the most affordable and which are the priciest.

When it comes to cheap flights, budget carriers like Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Allegiant Air are no strangers to offering ultra-low base fares to entice travelers. However, according to the analysis, which looked at the total passenger revenue earned per seat mile flown in 2022 and 2023, Frontier emerged as the most affordable U.S. airline overall. The Denver-based carrier, known for its bright green and animal-themed planes, had the lowest revenue per seat mile at just over 10 cents. This is despite Frontier’s reputation for nickel and diming passengers with fees for everything from carry-on bags to seat assignments.

Spirit Airlines, another well-known ultra-low-cost carrier, ranked as the second cheapest U.S. airline. Like Frontier, Spirit can offer extremely low fares by charging for all the extras and packing more seats onto each plane. Both airlines also operate newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft which helps keep costs down. Rounding out the top 5 most affordable was Hawaiian Airlines, which pulled ahead as the cheapest of the traditional carriers, followed by Allegiant and JetBlue.

On the flip side, legacy carrier Delta Air Lines had the highest passenger revenue per seat mile, making it the most expensive U.S. airline according to the study. This is likely due to Delta’s many premium offerings like lie-flat business class seats on some routes, complimentary upgrades for frequent flyers, and a sprawling network of airport lounges. The Atlanta-based airline also tends to have a strong presence in high-fare business markets. Coming in second was Southwest Airlines, in part because of its Business Select and Anytime fares which include perks like priority boarding and free flight changes.

So, what do these rankings mean for travelers? If getting from point A to point B as cheaply as possible is your main priority, then you’ll likely want to stick with Frontier, Spirit, and other budget-focused airlines. Keep in mind though that the eye-catchingly low fares often don’t include assigned seats, checked bags, or other creature comforts. For those willing to pay more for a full-service flying experience with more route options and amenities, a higher-cost carrier like Delta could be worth the money, especially if you have elite status or travel frequently for work. Southwest also remains a favorite of many flyers for its free checked bags and no change fees policies.

In the end, the “best” airline for you will depend on a variety of factors like your budget, where you’re flying from and to, your preferred onboard experience, and how much you value things like frequent flyer perks. But having an idea of which carriers tend to be the most and least expensive can help guide your search for flights and make it easier to spot a genuinely good deal. The key is knowing what extras you need to tack on to that attractive low base fare to calculate the real total cost. Then you can make an informed decision about whether it’s worth paying more to fly on a major airline or if a budget carrier will get the job done just as well for less.