Delta is adding some new hardware to the trophy cabinet. The Atlanta based carrier has been named the top-ranked airline for both First/Business Class and Premium Economy segments.
The airline touted the airline’s employees in the release with Delta CEO Ed Bastian stating:
“This is a wonderful reflection of our elevated customer experience, fueled by the unparalleled service of our 100,000 Delta people worldwide. I’m incredibly proud of our team for continuously raising the bar for our customers.”
Ed Bastian, Delta Chief Executive Officer
To determine the winners in each category, J.D. Power evaluated the participating airlines’ performance in the following categories:
- Airline Staff
- Digital Tools
- Ease of Travel
- Level of Trust
- On-Board Experience
- Pre/Post-Flight Experience
- Value for Price Paid
More details on the J.D. Power North America Airline Satisfaction Study can be found here.
First/Business Class
In the First/Business Class category, Delta beat out JetBlue and their well known ‘Mint’ product for the top spot, edging them out only slightly. The rankings in this category were tight overall with just over 100 points separating Delta from last place Air Canada.
Premium Economy
For the Premium Economy category, Delta also claimed the top spot. 2024 marks the second year in a row that the airline took home the prize, beating out Alaska Airlines. The competition here was even tighter with less than 100 points separating Delta from last place Air Canada.
Economy/Basic Economy
Delta was unable to go three for three this year as Dallas based Southwest Airlines took the top spot. Delta finished right on their heels in 2nd place. Surprisingly, ultra-low-cost carrier Allegiant finished in third. Other ULCC’s Spirit and Frontier finished at the bottom of the list.
For Southwest, the airline has a few unique differentiators that set them apart including free bags, boarding position assigned at check-in, and open seating. They’re also know for bringing the LUV and are extremely family friendly. While some passengers love the Southwest model, I personally can’t stand not knowing my seat assignment in advance or playing check-in roulette.
Summary
Delta frequently touts itself as America’s Most Awarded Airline and they now have two new awards to add to the list. The airline has continued to invest in their people and in-flight experiences and that investment is reflected in the survey results. They better make that awards sticker by the boarding door a little bigger!
