Two 2026 satisfaction surveys rank Delta and Southwest differently
Two US passenger satisfaction studies published three weeks apart in 2026 put Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines in opposite orders, with each carrier topping one survey.
Two major US passenger satisfaction studies published three weeks apart in 2026 reached opposite conclusions about Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines.
The American Customer Satisfaction Index released its Travel Study on April 21. It put Delta first across the industry with a score of 79. Southwest fell from 80 to 77, losing the top spot it had held in 2025.
J.D. Power published its North America Airline Satisfaction Study on May 6. That survey ranked Southwest first in economy and basic economy with 670 points, its fifth consecutive year in first place. Delta came second at 667.
The gap between the two carriers is narrow in the J.D. Power results and wider in the ACSI findings. The two also differ on Southwest's direction of travel.
Sources
- simpleflying.comDelta Air Lines Vs. Southwest: Which US Carrier Wins On Passenger Satisfaction In 2026