Flights
Book Flights, Fly Better
Compare airlines and fares, understand the cabins, and know your upgrade options before you book.
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The Rankings
The Best Airlines, Ranked by What They Do Best
Our editors’ picks in each category, and why each one earns its place.
Swipe for every category →Best Business Class
- 1Qatar AirwaysQsuite private suites with closing doors; center seats join into a double bed or a four-person suite for families.
- 2Singapore AirlinesWide, quiet seats and service that has set the long-haul standard for decades.
- 3ANA“The Room” on its Boeing 777s is among the widest business class seats in the sky.
Best First Class
- 1Singapore AirlinesA380 Suites with a separate armchair and bed, and impeccable service.
- 2EmiratesPrivate suites, plus an onboard shower spa on the A380.
- 3Air FranceLa Première: a tiny cabin, French dining and a private terminal experience in Paris.
Best U.S. Airline
- 1Delta Air LinesA reliable operation, Delta One business class and some of the best lounges in the U.S.
- 2Alaska AirlinesWarm service, a valuable loyalty program and a deep West Coast network.
- 3United AirlinesThe largest international network of any U.S. airline, with Polaris business class.
Best Economy
- 1JetBlueGenerous standard legroom, seatback screens and free Wi-Fi.
- 2Singapore AirlinesLong-haul economy with real meals and attentive service.
- 3Delta Air LinesConsistent service and free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members on most flights.
Best for Getting Anywhere
- 1Turkish AirlinesFlies to more countries than any other airline, through its Istanbul hub.
- 2United AirlinesThe widest choice of international routes from the U.S.
- 3EmiratesDubai connects six continents on a single airline.
Best for Low Fares
- 1Frontier AirlinesSome of the lowest base fares; pay only for the extras you want.
- 2Allegiant AirLow-cost nonstops from smaller cities to leisure destinations.
- 3Southwest AirlinesA huge domestic network built on point-to-point flying.
Rankings reflect our editors’ view of each airline’s long-standing strengths. Fares, fees and schedules change; check details when you book.
Every Airline
The Major Airlines at a Glance
What each airline is best for, and the alliance it belongs to.
NameAllianceBest for
Delta Air LinesSkyTeamReliability and a polished premium cabin
United AirlinesStar AllianceThe biggest international network from the U.S.
American AirlinesoneworldLatin America and the Caribbean
Alaska AirlinesoneworldThe West Coast and friendly service
JetBlue—Roomy economy and Mint business class
Southwest Airlines—Domestic point-to-point flying
Frontier Airlines—The lowest base fares
Allegiant Air—Leisure routes from smaller cities
Air CanadaStar AllianceCanada and transpacific connections
British AirwaysoneworldLondon and transatlantic choice
Virgin AtlanticSkyTeamStyle on the London run
Air FranceSkyTeamParis and French first class
LufthansaStar AllianceConnections across Europe
Turkish AirlinesStar AllianceReaching the most countries
Emirates—First class and the A380
Qatar AirwaysoneworldQsuite business class
Etihad Airways—Abu Dhabi connections
Singapore AirlinesStar AllianceService in every cabin
Cathay PacificoneworldHong Kong and Asia
Japan AirlinesoneworldJapan, with standout service
ANAStar AllianceJapan and wide business class seats
Korean AirSkyTeamSeoul and Asia connections
QantasoneworldAustralia
Air New ZealandStar AllianceNew Zealand and the South Pacific
Cabins & Upgrades
From Economy to First
What each cabin includes, and the four ways to move up.
Economy
The main cabin
Standard seating and service. Basic economy is the most restricted fare, often without seat selection or changes.
Premium Economy
More room, its own cabin
A wider seat, extra legroom, upgraded meals and priority boarding, in a separate cabin on many long-haul flights.
Business
Lie-flat and lounge access
Lie-flat seats on most long-haul routes, airport lounges, priority everything and restaurant-style dining.
First
The top of the cabin
Private suites on some international airlines, the most personal service and dedicated lounges.
01
Elite status
Fly often with one airline or alliance for complimentary upgrades, mainly on shorter flights.
02
Miles & certificates
Redeem miles or upgrade certificates; eligibility depends on the fare you bought.
03
Paid offers
Watch for upgrade offers when you book, in the airline app, and at check-in.
04
Bid upgrades
Some airlines let you bid for an empty seat in a higher cabin before departure.
Where to Fly
Destinations Worth the Flight
Our editors’ guides to the places worth booking a ticket for.
Hawaii
Honolulu
Waikiki, the North Shore and a food scene well beyond the resort strip.
Read the guide → New EnglandBoston
Harbor history, a world-class museum mile and seafood worth the flight.
Read the guide → FloridaMiami Beach
Art Deco, oceanfront hotels and the restaurants of South Beach.
Read the guide → CaliforniaSanta Barbara
Spanish Colonial streets, wine country and the Pacific at your door.
Read the guide → ColoradoTelluride
A box-canyon mountain town for skiing, hiking and festivals.
Read the guide → CroatiaDubrovnik
The walled old town, island day trips and the Adriatic.
Read the guide →Ready to Book?
Compare flights across airlines on Expedia.
Questions
Flights: Your Questions
What is the best airline for business class?
Our editors rank Qatar Airways first for business class, for its Qsuite private suites with closing doors, followed by Singapore Airlines for its seats and service and ANA for the especially wide seats of “The Room.”
What is the best U.S. airline?
Our editors rank Delta Air Lines first among U.S. airlines for its reliable operation, Delta One business class and lounges, followed by Alaska Airlines for service and loyalty value, and United Airlines for the largest international network.
Is it cheaper to book flights through Expedia or directly with the airline?
Prices are often similar. Expedia lets you compare many airlines, routes and dates at once, while booking directly with the airline can make changes, seat selection and upgrades simpler. It is worth comparing both before you buy.
Do I still earn airline miles if I book through Expedia?
Usually, yes. Add your frequent flyer number to the booking or at check-in. How many miles you earn depends on the airline and the fare, and some basic economy fares earn fewer miles or none.
What is the difference between premium economy and business class?
Premium economy is a separate cabin with a wider seat, more legroom and upgraded service. Business class adds lie-flat seats on most long-haul routes, lounge access, priority boarding and elevated dining.
How do airline upgrades work?
The main routes are elite status, which brings complimentary upgrades on many airlines; upgrading with miles or certificates, where eligibility depends on the fare you bought; paid upgrade offers at booking or check-in; and bid-for-upgrade programs on some airlines.
What are the airline alliances?
The three global alliances are Star Alliance, which includes United; oneworld, which includes American; and SkyTeam, which includes Delta. Within an alliance you can generally earn and redeem miles across partner airlines, and elite members receive reciprocal benefits such as lounge access.
What is a lie-flat seat?
A seat that reclines into a fully flat bed. It is standard in business and first class on most long-haul international flights and on some premium domestic routes.
How early should I arrive at the airport?
Airlines generally recommend arriving about two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Allow more time at busy airports and during holidays.
When should I book a flight?
For the widest choice of fares and seats, book early, especially for holidays and peak travel seasons. Flexible dates help too: flying midweek can cost less than flying on a Friday or Sunday.
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