Major Airlines
American Airlines
Passengers (2022): ~199.6 million
J.D. Power Ranking (Economy, 2023): Mid-tier[1]
American Airlines is the largest airline in the world by fleet size and passenger traffic, serving nearly 350 destinations in over 50 countries. A founding member of the oneworld alliance, AA operates numerous hubs including Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, and Miami. It offers multiple service classes (Basic Economy up to Flagship First on select long-hauls) and runs the AAdvantage frequent-flyer program.
Official Website Twitter Facebook
Contact & Support:
General Reservations: 1-800-433-7300
Baggage Services: 1-800-535-5225
Changes & Refunds: Same as reservations or Online Refund Form
Email: [email protected]
Delta Air Lines
Passengers (2022): ~170 million
J.D. Power Ranking (Economy, 2023): #2[1]
Delta is a legacy carrier headquartered in Atlanta with a massive domestic and global network. It’s a founding member of SkyTeam and operates key hubs in ATL, DTW, MSP, JFK, among others. Delta is known for reliable service, multiple cabin classes (Main Cabin, Comfort+, First Class, Delta One), and free in-flight entertainment. In recent years, it has frequently topped on-time performance charts in the U.S.
Official Website Twitter Facebook
Contact & Support:
General Reservations: 1-800-221-1212
Baggage Services: 1-800-325-8224
Changes & Refunds: Online Help Center
Chat: Available via the Delta website
United Airlines
Passengers (2022): ~140 million
J.D. Power Ranking (Economy, 2023): Mid-tier[1]
United Airlines is a founding member of Star Alliance and boasts an extensive domestic and international network, serving 350+ destinations worldwide. Headquartered in Chicago, United operates major hubs at ORD, IAH, DEN, EWR, SFO, and LAX. Product offerings range from Basic Economy to Polaris Business for long-haul travel. United invests in next-generation aircraft and sustainable aviation fuel for future operations.
Official Website Twitter Facebook
Contact & Support:
General Reservations: 1-800-864-8331
Baggage Services: 1-800-335-2247
Refunds: Online Refunds
Live Chat: Available in the United app
Southwest Airlines
Passengers (2022): ~160 million
J.D. Power Ranking (Economy, 2023): #1[1]
Although considered a low-cost carrier in its early years, Southwest now ranks among the largest U.S. airlines by passenger traffic. Known for its “bags fly free” policy (two free checked bags) and no change fees, it operates a point-to-point network with a single aircraft type (Boeing 737). Southwest typically offers open seating (no assigned seats) and is famous for a friendly corporate culture.
Official Website Twitter Facebook
Contact & Support:
General Reservations: 1-800-435-9792
Baggage Services: 1-888-202-1024
Cancellations & Refunds: Online Form
Email/Chat: Southwest Support
Alaska Airlines
Passengers (2022): ~44 million
J.D. Power Ranking (Economy, 2023): #3[1]
Based in Seattle, Alaska Airlines serves over 115 destinations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Central America. Known for excellent customer service, it joined the oneworld alliance in 2021. It offers a popular Mileage Plan program with unique partner earning opportunities. Alaska typically ranks highly for punctuality and guest satisfaction.
Official Website Twitter Facebook
Contact & Support:
General Reservations: 1-800-252-7522
Baggage Services: 1-877-815-8253
Cancellations & Refunds: Refund Policy
Text/Chat: Customer Care
JetBlue Airways
Passengers (2022): ~42 million
J.D. Power Ranking (Economy, 2023): Mid-tier[1]
JetBlue is a hybrid low-cost/full-service airline based in New York, providing flights across the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America, plus transatlantic service to London. Renowned for its generous legroom, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary snacks, JetBlue consistently wins awards for customer satisfaction. Its loyalty program, TrueBlue, offers perks like family pooling of points.
Official Website Twitter Facebook
Contact & Support:
General Reservations: 1-800-538-2583
Baggage Services: 1-866-538-5438
Refunds/Changes: JetBlue Refunds
Email: [email protected]
Hawaiian Airlines
Passengers (2022): ~10 million
On-Time Performance: Often #1 among U.S. carriers[2]
Hawaiian Airlines is the largest airline in Hawaii, connecting the islands with the U.S. mainland, Asia, and the South Pacific. It’s consistently ranked among the most punctual in the U.S. Hawaiian is not part of a major alliance but has partnerships with Japan Airlines, Korean Air, and more. The airline’s onboard hospitality often features a taste of Hawaiian culture and cuisine.
Official Website Twitter Facebook
Contact & Support:
General Reservations: 1-800-367-5320
Baggage Services: 1-866-389-6654
Cancellations & Refunds: Refund Policy
Email: [email protected]
Low-Cost Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Passengers (2022): ~31 million[3]
Extra Fees: Carry-on, checked bags, seat selection
Frontier is an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) based in Denver, flying to 100+ destinations across the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean. It offers low base fares but charges for most extras. Frontier’s “Discount Den” membership can save frequent leisure travelers money on fares, especially families (via “Kids Fly Free” promotions).
Official Website Twitter Facebook
Contact & Support:
General Support: 1-801-401-9000
Baggage & Refunds: Primarily online portal
Live Chat: Frontier Chat
Spirit Airlines
Passengers (2022): ~38 million[3]
Key Hubs: Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Las Vegas
Spirit is an ultra-low-cost carrier famous (or infamous) for its “Bare Fare” model: very cheap tickets, but nearly everything else – from carry-on bags to onboard snacks – costs extra. Despite minimal frills, Spirit has expanded quickly, appealing to budget-conscious travelers across the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America.
Official Website Twitter Facebook
Contact & Support:
General Support: 1-855-728-3555
Baggage & Refunds: Online Support Center
Text/Chat: Spirit Virtual Agent
Allegiant Air
Passengers (2022): ~16 million[3]
Model: Focus on vacation packages, secondary airports
Allegiant specializes in leisure travel from smaller or secondary airports to holiday destinations (Las Vegas, Orlando, etc.). It’s another ULCC, offering low fares but charging fees for carry-ons, checked baggage, and seat assignments. Allegiant also sells vacation packages including hotels and car rentals, catering to family and leisure flyers.
Official Website Twitter Facebook
Contact & Support:
Customer Care: 1-702-505-8888
Baggage Helpline: 1-866-719-3910 (lost/delayed)
Changes & Refunds: Online Form
Breeze Airways
Launch Year: 2021
Service: Underserved city pairs, Embraer & Airbus fleet
Breeze is a newer ULCC founded by JetBlue’s creator, focusing on routes between “underserved” city pairs in the U.S. It offers three fare bundles (Nice, Nicer, Nicest), with the top tier resembling a domestic first-class seat on modern Airbus A220s. Breeze aims to provide a friendly, efficient experience to smaller markets with minimal or zero competition from bigger carriers.
Official Website Twitter Facebook
Contact & Support:
Mostly via app & online chat.
General Support: Breeze Support
Refunds & Changes: Manage Booking
Avelo Airlines
Launch Year: 2021
Focus: Secondary airports, Boeing 737 fleet
Avelo is another 2021 startup ULCC with bases in Burbank (CA) and New Haven (CT). It emphasizes point-to-point flights from regional airports to vacation destinations, offering simple, no-frills service with cheap base fares. Passengers pay for add-ons such as carry-on bags, seat selection, and priority boarding.
Official Website Twitter Facebook
Contact & Support:
General Phone: 1-346-616-9500
Baggage & Refunds: Avelo Support
Live Chat: Online Chat
Regional Airlines
SkyWest Airlines
Passengers (Approx., 2022): ~40+ million (as a contract carrier)[4]
Operates for: United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle, Alaska
SkyWest is the largest regional airline in North America, operating flights on behalf of major carriers. It doesn’t sell tickets under its own brand; if you book a “Delta Connection” flight, for example, you might actually be flying SkyWest. With a large fleet of CRJs and Embraer jets, SkyWest provides crucial feeder service to mainline hubs from smaller cities.
Contact & Support:
Tickets & Baggage handled by partner airline (United/Delta/American/Alaska).
For direct inquiries: [email protected]
Republic Airways
Operates for: American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express
Fleet: Embraer 170/175
Republic Airways provides regional flights for multiple major U.S. airlines, focusing on short- to medium-haul routes. Headquartered in Indianapolis, it runs about 900 daily flights to over 80 cities. If you see “operated by Republic Airways” on your boarding pass, you’re on a Republic jet under a partner’s livery.
Contact & Support:
All reservations & baggage claims: contact the mainline airline you booked with.
Corporate Office: 317-484-6000
Mesa Airlines
Operates for: United Express (previously American Eagle)
Fleet: CRJ-900, Embraer 175
Mesa is a Phoenix-based regional carrier primarily serving United Airlines hubs. It recently shifted focus entirely to United after ending its partnership with American Eagle. Mesa also has experience operating cargo routes. Like other regionals, Mesa’s flights appear as mainline codes when booking through United.
Contact & Support:
All reservations & baggage: contact United or your operating carrier.
Corporate Office: 602-685-4000
Envoy Air
Ownership: Wholly owned by American Airlines Group
Operates for: American Eagle
Envoy Air handles a large portion of American Eagle operations with Embraer regional jets. It connects medium and small cities with major AA hubs like Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago. Envoy flights carry American branding, but the actual crew and aircraft are from Envoy.
Contact & Support:
Reservations & Baggage: American Airlines (1-800-433-7300)
Envoy Corporate: 972-374-5200
Horizon Air
Ownership: Subsidiary of Alaska Air Group
Operates as: Alaska Horizon
Horizon Air flies short-haul routes in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, feeding Alaska Airlines’ mainline network. It uses Embraer 175 jets (and formerly Q400 turboprops). While sold under the Alaska name, flights may say “Operated by Horizon Air” on tickets.
Contact & Support:
Reservations & Baggage: Alaska Airlines (1-800-252-7522)
Corporate Office: 206-241-6757
Charter Airlines
Omni Air International
Specialty: Charter flights, ACMI leases
Clients: US Military, government agencies, other airlines
Tulsa-based Omni Air International operates Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft primarily for troop transport and other ad-hoc charters worldwide. As part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, Omni often handles military movements. Tickets are not sold directly to the public.
Contact & Support:
Charter Inquiries: 918-831-3020
Email: [email protected]
Public travelers: Must book via contracting organization (military or group).
JSX
Model: “Semi-private” public charters
Aircraft: 30-seat Embraer jets, private terminals
JSX sells individual seats on public charters, letting passengers skip standard airport terminals and lines. Offering extra legroom, free drinks, and fast check-in, it positions itself between commercial airlines and private jets. Routes focus on short-haul flights in the western and eastern U.S.
Official Website Twitter Facebook
Contact & Support:
Reservations: 1-800-435-9579
Email: [email protected]
Baggage & Refunds: JSX Contact
NetJets
Ownership: Berkshire Hathaway
Service: Fractional jet ownership & private charter
NetJets is the largest private jet operator in the world. Clients purchase fractional ownership or jet card hours, gaining access to hundreds of corporate aircraft on short notice. While it doesn’t function like a commercial airline, NetJets is a major player in on-demand luxury air travel.
Contact & Support:
Sales & Membership: 1-877-356-5823
Existing Owners: Contact your NetJets Owner Services team.
Email: [email protected]
Wheels Up
Model: Membership-based private aviation
Fleet: Turboprops to large-cabin jets (owned & partners)
Wheels Up offers on-demand private flights for members, connecting them with a diverse fleet of aircraft. Members can book flights with as little as 24 hours’ notice, join shared charters, or take advantage of “empty leg” deals. It aims to make private flying more accessible through app-based booking and a variety of membership tiers.
Contact & Support:
Membership Sales: 1-855-FLY-8760
Existing Members: Online Portal
Email: [email protected]
Additional Resources
Baggage Policies: Most major airlines allow one free carry-on and one personal item, but charge for checked baggage (~$30-35 for the first bag on domestic routes). Southwest uniquely allows two free checked bags per passenger. Ultra-low-cost carriers (Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, etc.) often charge for carry-ons as well. Always check specific airline policies before you fly.
Price Comparisons: Compare full-service carriers’ fares (which might include a carry-on and seat assignment) vs. ULCC fares with added fees. Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak can help track and compare final prices, but always confirm on the airline’s official website.
Passenger Reviews & Ratings: J.D. Power publishes annual North America Airline Satisfaction Studies[1]. Skytrax, TripAdvisor, and frequent flier forums (e.g., FlyerTalk, Reddit) provide user experiences. Hawaiian often leads in on-time performance[2], while Southwest and Delta score well in customer satisfaction[1].
References:
- J.D. Power 2023 North America Airline Satisfaction Study
- U.S. DOT Air Travel Consumer Reports (On-Time Performance)
- U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (Airlines and Airports)
- SkyWest Official Data
Note: Passenger figures are approximate for 2022 based on BTS or airline-reported data. Exact numbers may vary by source and time period.