Delta didn’t just win an award this year—it earned a standing ovation from travelers who know what it means to be truly taken care of in the air. For the second year running, Forbes Travel Guide has named Delta the best U.S. airline, and if you’ve flown with them recently, you probably understand why.
This isn’t about flashy perks or one-off upgrades. It’s about consistency. It’s about walking onto a plane and feeling like someone thought about your comfort before you even booked the ticket. It’s about the gate agent who smiles and means it, the flight attendant who notices your nerves and offers reassurance, the pilot who lands so smoothly you barely feel the wheels touch down.
What Travelers Say Without Saying It
Delta’s win comes from real people—over 9,000 seasoned travelers, luxury advisors, and Forbes inspectors who rated their experiences across every stage of the journey. But the real proof is in the quiet moments:
- The parent traveling solo with a toddler who gets help folding the stroller.
- The business traveler who’s rebooked mid-delay with zero drama.
- The couple on their anniversary trip who find a handwritten note waiting in their seatback pocket.
These aren’t exceptions. They’re part of Delta’s rhythm.
A Century of Flight, A Culture of Care
Delta’s centennial year isn’t just a milestone—it’s a mirror. One hundred years of flight, and still, the airline is asking: How can we do better? In 2025, that meant expanding routes, upgrading lounges, and investing in sustainability. But it also meant doubling down on the basics: comfort, kindness, and reliability.
Delta also earned top honors from:
- The Points Guy – Best U.S. Airline for the seventh year in a row
- The Wall Street Journal – Top U.S. Airline for the fourth consecutive year
- Cirium – Most on-time airline in North America
These accolades are impressive, but they’re not the whole story. The real story is the feeling you get when you fly Delta—that someone’s looking out for you.
Why It Matters This Holiday Season
As airports fill with families, solo adventurers, and last-minute planners, Delta’s reputation offers something rare: peace of mind. You know the app will work. You know the crew will be kind. You know the flight will feel like a small pocket of calm in a busy season.
Whether you’re heading home for the holidays or chasing sunshine in January, an airline’s award-winning service is more than a headline—it’s a promise. A promise that your journey matters. That your comfort counts. That flying can still feel like a joy.
