5 Best:

1.) American Airlines

Leading the pack in airline travel is American Airlines. Serving four major continents (North America, South America, Europe, and Asia), American Airlines covers nearly all vacation destinations. Recently completing their merger with U.S. Airways, American Airlines expects to see the amount of planes in operation expand, making them the largest airline in terms of passenger traffic.

2.) Delta Airlines

Among the “Big Boy” carriers, Delta is highly regarded for its premium seating and on-flight entertainment. With flights to Latin America and the Caribbean starting at just $349, clearly price is part of Delta’s competitiveness to.

3.) Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand has flights to 25 domestic and 26 international destinations in 15 countries, including: North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. With new non-stop flights from Houston to Auckland on the way, and special prices for different exotic locations, no wonder it ranks number 3 on the list.

4.) Hawaii Airlines

Placed at #4 on the list, only 8.7% of Hawaii Airline’s flights are said to have arrived late over its past 3 years. It also offers cheap available seating to one of the most popular destinations for summer vacationers.

Arrival to Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines from Seattle. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

5.) Alaska Airlines

Last but not least, Alaska Airlines. While Alaska may not be the first destination to visit for a summer vacation, it still deserves to be in the top 5. Making huge strides in improving the quality and quantity of their flights, many are beginning to make the switch from other airlines to Alaska Airlines.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR/CYVR), Richmond, British Columbia, Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

5 Worst:

1.) United Airlines

While they do operate in 10 hubs in continental United States, Japan, and Guam, United Airlines is infamous for their surprise fees, usual tardiness, and over-crowdedness, especially during the summer holiday season.

2.)  Air Canada

This airline, offering flights to or from Canada via major Canadian cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, has ultimately failed to impress the masses. With their “Unorganized checkin process” as one unsatisfied flier put it, as well as their lagging in-flight service, it’s should serve as no surprise that Air Canada ranks among the worst.

3.) SouthWest Airlines

Having approximately a third of their flights arriving late or off schedule, many frequent fliers are becoming weary of SouthWest’s disorganization. With this kept in mind, the airline continues to promote their cost effectiveness and timeliness, contributing to an influx of passenger traffic this summer, only further spurring the disorganization and chaos.

4.) Express Jet

A commuter subsections of SkyWest, Express Jet exclusively travels short routes, and is more often than not caught in a delay or off schedule. Over the past 3 years, the airline has failed to arrive on time almost 35% of the time.

Express Jet to Chicago (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

5.) Frontier Airlines

It’s nothing personal, just their location. Based in Denver, Colorado, the Airline is use to being delayed for extended periods of time on account of the spontaneously stormy weather around the area. The airline also plans to cut its service to a number of small airports this summer.