Delta tops TPG rankings eighth year

Delta Air Lines finished first in The Points Guy’s 2026 ranking of U.S. airlines, the travel site said on June 3, marking the carrier’s eighth straight year at the top. United Airlines placed second and Southwest Airlines placed third in what TPG described as a tight race among the next three spots behind Delta. The report said it gave more weight this year to affordability as travelers faced higher ticket prices, add-on fees and concerns about disruptions. CBS News, citing the ranking, said cost accounted for 25% of an airline’s score this year, up from 20% in 2025. ### How did Delta stay on top again? The Points Guy said Delta won because of what it called a consistent travel experience, citing reliability, policies, lounge access and onboard amenities. The site said Delta had topped its rankings for “the better part of the decade,” and its June 3 report framed the latest result as another close win rather than a runaway. (thepointsguy.com) CBS News reported that TPG’s annual survey evaluated airlines on reliability, customer experience, loyalty programs and cost. That kept Delta ahead even as the methodology shifted to give travelers’ out-of-pocket costs a bigger role in the final score. ### Which airlines were closest behind Delta? United Airlines and Southwest Airlines rounded out the top three in the 2026 report, according to TPG and CBS News. (thepointsguy.com) TPG said United, Southwest and Alaska Air Group each had “a legitimate chance” of winning, underscoring how narrow the margins were below Delta. The June 3 report described the leaderboard behind Delta as a “photo finish.” That language pointed to a compressed field among the carriers competing on network breadth, pricing and customer experience. (cbsnews.com) ### Why did price matter more this year? The Points Guy said 2026 travelers were dealing with surging ticket prices, higher ancillary fees and worries that geopolitical strife could disrupt flights. (thepointsguy.com) The site said those conditions led it to give “more credit than ever” to the price passengers pay and to schedule and route offerings. CBS News said TPG specifically increased the weight of the cost category to 25% from 20% a year earlier. CBS said the change came as the ranking’s editors pointed to cost pressures tied to higher fuel expenses and the broader travel environment. ### Where did American show up in the results? American Airlines did not place in the top three overall, but The Points Guy’s June 3 analysis said American narrowly edged out United in the loyalty category. (thepointsguy.com) That distinction matters because TPG’s airline package includes both the overall ranking and separate category breakdowns for travelers focused on points, perks and elite benefits. (cbsnews.com) The Points Guy also published companion analyses tied to the main report, including category-specific looks at lounge access and other traveler benefits. Those pieces were released alongside the main June 3 rankings package. ### Where can readers check the full methodology? The Points Guy published the 2026 best-airlines report on June 3 on its airline rankings page, with the full order and methodology notes. (thepointsguy.com) CBS News also summarized the top finishers and the revised cost weighting in a same-day report. June 3’s rankings package included the overall standings, category results and companion explainers on items such as lounge access. (thepointsguy.com) Travelers comparing Delta, United, Southwest and American can find those breakdowns in The Points Guy’s published 2026 report. (thepointsguy.com)