The Top U.S. Economy Class Airline of 2025 Has Been Revealed

Economy air travel prioritizes affordable fares, comfort, seat quality, meal value, and reliable service! It remains the world’s most popular category in the travel industry.

Delta has officially earned the title of the best airline for economy passengers in the United States, according to the globally recognized aviation ranking authority, Skytrax. The distinction reinforces Delta’s position as a leader in passenger comfort, onboard catering, and route availability — yet experts say Americans are overlooking the factors that earned the airline the win.

The latest Skytrax World’s Best Economy Class Airlines rankings ranked Delta 13th globally — beating all other U.S. competitors but failing to crack the international top 10. Remarkably, no airline based in the United States placed among the world’s 10 best carriers in economy class, a trend that highlights a growing service and comfort gap in the North American aviation sector.

What Gives Delta the Edge in the U.S.?

Delta stands out from rivals like American, United, JetBlue, and Southwest due to a combination of strategic global expansion and measurable improvements in passenger experience:

• Route Expansion in Europe and Asia: The airline recently announced new nonstop European routes from East Coast hubs, increasing competition with transatlantic carriers. Delta has also proposed expanding flight capacity to Asia, aligning with growing demand for Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia travel.
• Top-Rated Onboard Catering in North America: Skytrax named Delta the winner of Best Economy Class Catering in North America. While it did not make the global top 10 for meals, the airline led all North American carriers — scoring highest in menu variety, special meal quality, and service consistency.
• Seat Comfort and Cabin Design: While Skytrax does not specify a standalone “Best Economy Seat Comfort in the U.S.” winner, Delta received the highest economy score among U.S. airlines overall, suggesting leading marks in seat ergonomics, legroom comfort, and in-flight rest quality. Delta’s economy seating benefits from spoken passenger preference for firmer cushioning, adjustable headrests, consistent recline mechanics, and refined cabin finishes.

The airline’s fleet modernization plays an important role, especially the Boeing 737, which services regional and mid-range international routes, featuring updated economy configurations and…