The best US budget airlines are not always the ones advertising the lowest headline fares, according to a ranking published by TheTravel that evaluates total cost, route utility, fleet reliability and customer service data tracked by the US Department of Transportation. Extra charges for carry-on bags, seat selection and priority boarding can, the ranking notes, double a base ticket cost before a passenger reaches the gate.
Seven carriers were assessed on unbundled pricing structures, network reach, and their ability to serve underserved regional markets without forcing connections through major hubs. The results place Southwest Airlines at the top, with JetBlue Airways second and Avelo Airlines third.
Southwest and JetBlue Lead the Best US Budget Airlines on Value
Southwest Airlines takes the top position on the basis of its domestic network spanning over 120 destinations, a zero-change-fee policy on standard fares, and a carry-on allowance that covers one full-sized overhead bag plus one personal item for all fare types. The carrier has, however, recently ended its “Bags Fly Free” policy for standard base fares: first and second checked bags now incur unbundled fees on Basic and Choice fares, with free checked luggage reserved for Choice Extra bundles, elite Rapid Rewards members and qualifying credit cardholders. Southwest has also retired its open-seating model, moving to assigned seats with Preferred and Extra Legroom upgrade options.
JetBlue Airways ranks second. The carrier includes free high-speed Fly-Fi Wi-Fi, seatback entertainment screens with live DirecTV, and unlimited brand-name snacks and soft drinks across all fare types, including its Blue Basic tier. Economy seat pitch runs to 32-34 inches, and all fare classes receive one personal item plus one full-sized overhead carry-on at no extra charge. Checked luggage fees apply on basic fares, but the bundled amenities offset much of the cost differential against ultra-low-cost rivals.
Regional Carriers and Ultra-Low-Cost Options Fill the Lower Ranks
Avelo Airlines, operating since April 2021, claims third place by building its schedule around secondary airports: Tweed New Haven (HVN) in Connecticut, Wilmington (ILG) in Delaware and Lakeland Linder International (LAL) in Florida, among others. Shorter security queues, lower parking costs and faster post-flight exits are presented as compensating for the carrier’s lower flight frequencies. The base fare covers a seat and one small under-seat personal item; all other additions are unbundled and cheapest when pre-paid at booking.
Allegiant Air ranks fourth, connecting small-to-midsize communities directly with leisure destinations through secondary gateways including Orlando Sanford (SFB), St Pete–Clearwater (PIE) and Phoenix–Mesa Gateway (AZA). Its fleet combines Airbus A320s with new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Breeze Airways, founded in 2021 by JetBlue founder David Neeleman, takes fifth by targeting point-to-point routes between mid-sized cities poorly served by legacy carriers, operating Airbus A220-300 aircraft with high-speed Viasat Wi-Fi and power at every seat.
Frontier Airlines ranks sixth. The Denver-centred carrier operates an all-Airbus A320neo and A321neo fleet and has taken over eight routes previously operated by Spirit Airlines. Its GoWild! All-You-Can-Fly Pass offers unlimited confirmed flights for a flat annual fee plus taxes. À la carte fees remain high when purchased at the airport rather than at booking, which limits its appeal for families travelling with luggage.
Sun Country Airlines, operating primarily from Minneapolis–Saint Paul Terminal 2, closes the ranking in seventh. The carrier adjusts seasonal schedules to match leisure demand, linking Midwestern markets such as Duluth and Green Bay directly to warm-weather destinations without hub connections. Complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, in-seat power outlets and free entertainment streaming are included in the base fare, a differentiator among carriers at this price point.
TheTravel stated it contacted Cirium for comment on the operational characteristics that distinguish the best-performing budget airlines but had not received a response by the time of publication.
