Airlines · AI Perceptions snapshot

In AI answers about airlines, Delta is the default name and reliability is the test

Across five assistants and questions that never named a brand, Delta was the carrier most often named, with United and Southwest behind it. The press story runs differently: American draws the most news coverage, and several carriers in the news rarely appear in the answers.

Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
Southwest Airlines
American Airlines
Alaska Airlines
JetBlue
Frontier Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Allegiant Air
Emirates
British Airways
Hawaiian Airlines
Air Canada
Breeze Airways
Sun Country Airlines

Measured September 29, 2026ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity and Grok250 questions · 1,250 answers

Named most in these answers

Delta Air Lines · 67% (65–70%)
United Airlines · 60% (57–63%)
Southwest Airlines · 46% (43–49%)
American Airlines · 37% (35–40%)

See the evidence

Measured: September 29, 2026
Assistants: 5
Questions: 250
Answers: 1,250
Brands: 15
Named most: Delta Air Lines · 67%95% range 65–70%

Storylines in the answers

The threads the answers kept returning to, and the brands attached to each.

01Reliability and service as the test
02Warnings on cancellations and tight connections
03Budget carriers defined by fees and thin protection
04Tech, loyalty and network

What the assistants say

The answers treat reliability and customer service as the main test of an airline, then sort carriers by it. Delta, Alaska, JetBlue and Southwest are the names that recur as the dependable, service-led options. Gemini's answer on a flight with two young kids named Delta and Alaska for on-time performance. Perplexity's answer on the best-run airline named Delta and cited The Points Guy's 2026 report.

A second storyline is the warning list. When questions ask what to avoid, the answers name American, Frontier, JetBlue and Spirit. ChatGPT said frequent flyers most often warn against American for tight connections. Claude's answer on misleading delay explanations named American first and United second. Grok's answer on tight international connections named Frontier, American and JetBlue. Budget carriers are described mostly through fees, cancellation risk and thin rebooking options.

A third storyline is tech, loyalty and network, where United and Delta lead. By question type, United was the carrier most often named on innovation and on routes and network. Delta led on loyalty and perks, and on employer and workplace questions. This is a single snapshot taken on 2026-09-29 and should not be read as a ranking.

Delta Air Lines is the strongest overall pick: it ranked first in The Points Guy’s 2026 U.S. airline report, with its on-time performance and passenger experience cited as strengths.

Perplexity, answering “What's the best-run airline in the country?”

Who owns the answer, and why

Delta was named in 843 of 1,250 answers. United followed with 748, Southwest with 575, American with 466 and Alaska with 440. Delta led the largest number of question types, including customer service, employer and workplace, sustainability, and leadership and scale. Across all five assistants it appears heavily, including in 220 of Grok's 250 answers.

The credited themes are mostly customer experience and reliability and operations. For Alaska, customer experience was the most common credit. For American and Frontier, reliability and operations was the most common. For several carriers the largest label was "Not Substantive", meaning a passing mention without a stated reason.

Mid-size names fill particular niches. JetBlue was second on comfort and onboard experience, and Frontier was second on value and price. Alaska was third on sustainability. International carriers such as British Airways, Emirates and Air Canada appear in far fewer answers, because the questions lean toward US domestic choices. Sun Country appears least among the US carriers, and its mentions are mostly about finances or as part of the budget-carrier group.

Delta Air Lines stands out as the airline with the happiest customer service agents (and employees overall), based on available employee review data and related recognitions.

Grok, answering “Which airline has the happiest customer service agents?”

What the press is covering

In the PeakMetrics news index over the last 30 days, American drew the most coverage, with 32,472 mentions and 3,328 headlines naming it. Recent headlines mix onboard passenger incidents with fleet and cabin news: a 737 MAX landing gear exchange and the Flagship Suite seat reveal. United had 19,913 mentions, with stories about food ordering, in-flight football and its stock. Delta had 14,417 mentions, including an emergency landing after smoke in the cabin, a pressure-related descent, canceled flights and its coming earnings webcast.

Southwest's coverage centers on assigned seating, lounges and an airline partnership. Alaska's centers on premium cabins and its Atmos Rewards changes, along with a lawsuit over damaged artwork. JetBlue's covers its new first-class seats and fuel and capacity guidance. Spirit's headlines are about the aftermath of its shutdown and the sale of its aircraft. Emirates and Air Canada carry sizeable volume on route news, Middle East disruption, stock commentary and a class action.

Spirit ceased operations in May 2026 and is no longer an airline travelers can book…

Claude, answering “Who has the worst reputation among US airlines for hidden fees?”

Where the two stories diverge

American has the most press coverage of the named carriers but sits fourth in the answers. Delta leads the answers while ranking third in news volume among the top three. The press is covering incidents, products and finances. The answers draw on ratings, rankings and reviews, which favor a carrier with consistent survey and on-time results.

The gap runs the other way for some carriers. Emirates has 9,320 news mentions and 1,606 headlines but appears in only 123 answers. Air Canada has 1,168 headlines and appears in 42. Allegiant and Sun Country have almost no headline coverage (7 and 4 headlines) but appear in 164 and 22 answers, because budget-carrier questions surface them.

The answers also disagree on facts. Claude and Grok said Spirit ceased operations in May 2026, while Perplexity's Southeast answer still listed Spirit among the strongest low-cost options. Gemini and Grok both described Allegiant's acquisition of Sun Country, which appears nowhere in the headline sample.

What this means for comms teams

Press volume does not carry over into the answers. The most cited domains were thepointsguy.com, simpleflying.com, forbes.com, aerocorner.com, transportation.gov and nerdwallet.com. By source type, review and affiliate sites made up 80% of the classified citations and news 20%. To change how an airline is described, start with the review, ranking and government-data pages the assistants draw on, since the newsroom is a minor input here.

Check the claims about your own brand in each assistant, because they do not agree. Out-of-date or contested facts, such as Spirit's status, can sit beside current ones. The answers also attach a brand to specific questions, such as tight connections, hidden fees or data breaches. Map which of those questions name you and which sources each assistant cites for them.

This is one snapshot of five assistants on 2026-09-29, drawn from 1,250 answers to 250 questions. Live answers vary from run to run, so treat it as a baseline and re-measure before acting on any single result.

The evidence

Which brands the answers named, and what they cited.

ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity and Grok answered 250 unbranded questions about this sector, 1,250 answers in all.

Visibility leaderboard

Ordered by visibility: the share of this sector's answers that named each brand. Each figure comes with a 95% range; where two brands’ ranges overlap, they are effectively tied. This is not a favorability ranking.

Visibility by brand

Delta Air Lines
67%65–70%
United Airlines
60%57–63%
Southwest Airlines
46%43–49%
American Airlines
37%35–40%
Alaska Airlines
35%33–38%
JetBlue
31%29–34%
Frontier Airlines
25%23–28%
Spirit Airlines
19%17–21%
Allegiant Air
13%11–15%
Emirates
10%8–12%
British Airways
8%6–9%
Hawaiian Airlines
7%5–8%
Air Canada
3%3–5%
Breeze Airways
3%2–4%
Sun Country Airlines
2%1–3%

Measured September 29, 2026. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity and Grok, 1,250 answers. The line through each bar is its 95% range, printed under the figure.

Measured September 29, 2026. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity and Grok, 1,250 answers.
Rank	Brand	Visibility	ChatGPT	Claude	Gemini	Perplexity	Grok	Named in
1	Delta Air Lines	67%95% range 65–70%	72%	54%	70%	54%	88%	843 / 1,250
2	United Airlines	60%95% range 57–63%	61%	51%	61%	47%	80%	748 / 1,250
3	Southwest Airlines	46%95% range 43–49%	51%	40%	39%	34%	67%	575 / 1,250
4	American Airlines	37%95% range 35–40%	34%	45%	40%	17%	51%	466 / 1,250
5	Alaska Airlines	35%95% range 33–38%	38%	31%	30%	22%	55%	440 / 1,250
6	JetBlue	31%95% range 29–34%	36%	24%	24%	20%	52%	389 / 1,250
7	Frontier Airlines	25%95% range 23–28%	19%	17%	24%	18%	48%	315 / 1,250
8	Spirit Airlines	19%95% range 17–21%	19%	10%	15%	8%	42%	235 / 1,250
9	Allegiant Air	13%95% range 11–15%	8%	13%	9%	11%	25%	164 / 1,250
10	Emirates	10%95% range 8–12%	8%	8%	11%	6%	17%	123 / 1,250
11	British Airways	8%95% range 6–9%	4%	6%	8%	6%	14%	95 / 1,250
12	Hawaiian Airlines	7%95% range 5–8%	3%	10%	8%	2%	10%	83 / 1,250
13	Air Canada	3%95% range 3–5%	3%	3%	3%	3%	5%	42 / 1,250
14	Breeze Airways	3%95% range 2–4%	1%	3%	4%	2%	6%	40 / 1,250
15	Sun Country Airlines	2%95% range 1–3%	1%	1%	2%	1%	4%	22 / 1,250

Top cited domains

The domains the answers cited most often, with each one's share of all citations in this sector. These are the most-cited sources, not every source cited. Bars are scaled to the most-cited domain.

thepointsguy.com
231 citations3%
simpleflying.com
219 citations3%
forbes.com
123 citations2%
aerocorner.com
117 citations2%
transportation.gov
114 citations2%
nerdwallet.com
102 citations1%
airadvisor.com
89 citations1%
going.com
82 citations1%

Source type breakdown

The type of site behind this sector's 8 most-cited domains, which account for 1,077 of the 7,039 citations in these answers. It is not the mix of every citation. Shares are of the classified citations only; domains the classifier could not label confidently are left out. Labels come from a classifier run on this site, not from a customer workspace's Smart Categories.

Review & Affiliate504 citations · 80%
News123 citations · 20%

Questions asked

250 unbranded questions across 13 intents, each put to every assistant once. None names a brand, so a brand that appears in an answer was volunteered by the model. The 5 seed questions, marked below, are the ones earlier five-question snapshots asked.

Reliability and quality20 questions
1. Which US airlines are the most reliable?Seed
2. Which US airlines cancel the fewest flights?
3. Are budget airlines less dependable than the legacy carriers?
4. Which airline loses the fewest checked bags?
5. What are the worst US airlines for delays?
6. How do the big US airlines compare on flight cancellations and meltdowns during bad weather?
7. I'm flying with two young kids next month and can't afford a missed flight. Which airline is the most dependable choice?
8. Rank the major US airlines by overall quality of service.
9. Which regional carriers are the most dependable for small-town routes?
10. best airline for a smooth, no-hassle flight?
11. Are there any airlines that consistently deliver good in-flight service on domestic routes?
12. My elderly mother is flying alone for the first time. Which airline is best at reliable assistance and dependable service?
13. Which low-cost airline is the most dependable if I need to be somewhere on a specific day?
14. Which international carriers flying out of the US are the most consistent on long-haul flights?
15. As a frequent flyer, which airline delivers the most consistent experience from one trip to the next?
16. What are the most punctual airlines in the world?
17. I'm booking a wedding trip where everyone has to arrive on time. Which airline should I trust most?
18. Which airlines handle irregular operations best when there's a big storm or IT problem?
19. Which airline is best for dependable service on transatlantic flights from the US?
20. Which airline is the most consistent for early morning departures that actually leave on time?
Trust and reputation18 questions
1. most trusted airline in America?
2. Are there any US airlines that are known for being honest about delays?
3. How do the major US airlines rank in customer trust surveys?
4. Are budget airlines in the US as trustworthy as the big legacy carriers?
5. Is there an airline with a reputation for lying about why flights are delayed?
6. What airlines do pilots and flight attendants say they'd trust their own families to fly on?
7. Rank the big US airlines from most to least respected by travelers.
8. Which regional carriers have a good reputation, and which ones should I be wary of?
9. As a journalist, which airlines are known for being open with the press after incidents, and which ones stonewall?
10. Which airlines have improved their reputation the most in the last few years?
11. Should I trust the airline rankings that show up in travel magazines, and which airlines consistently score well?
12. Which airlines have a solid reputation for being family-friendly and honest when traveling with small kids?
13. I'm an investor thinking about airline stocks. Which carriers have the strongest management reputation for integrity?
14. What US airline is most likely to be straightforward with you when your flight is oversold?
15. Which airlines have the worst online reviews for trustworthiness?
16. Which big US airlines have had the most consumer trust problems lately?
17. What airlines do frequent flyers say they've stopped trusting, and why?
18. Are smaller airlines more trustworthy than big ones when it comes to honoring their promises?
Value and price19 questions
1. Is it worth paying more for a legacy carrier over a budget airline for reliability?
2. Who has the worst reputation among US airlines for hidden fees?
3. Which US airlines are the most transparent about their pricing?
4. What's the cheapest airline for domestic flights in the US?
5. Which airlines don't charge for carry-on bags?
6. Is paying extra for premium economy worth it on a long international flight?
7. Which US airlines have the lowest checked bag fees?
8. I'm flying with two kids next month and want to keep costs down. Which airlines end up cheapest once you add seats, bags, and fees?
9. Are basic economy fares ever actually worth it?
10. best budget airline for a weekend trip?
11. Which airlines have the best value first class on transcontinental routes?
12. How do the ultra-low-cost carriers compare on total price after fees?
13. Which airlines let you change or cancel a ticket without a fee?
14. I'm retired and fly to see my grandkids a few times a year. Which airline gives the best deal for seniors?
15. Which airlines offer the best deals on flights to Europe from the East Coast?
16. Rank the major US airlines by value for money in economy class.
17. Are there any airlines that still include free meals in economy?
18. Which airline has the cheapest seat selection fees?
19. Is a business class upgrade ever worth the money on a domestic flight?
Customer service20 questions
1. Which airlines have the best customer service?Seed
2. Which airlines have the best track record for honoring refunds and rebooking quickly after a cancellation?
3. Which US airlines have the fewest customer complaints filed with the Department of Transportation?
4. Which airline can I trust most to actually give me a refund when they cancel my flight?
5. Which airlines have the best reputation for handling lost luggage honestly and fairly?
6. Who can I trust to honor a travel voucher without making me jump through hoops?
7. Which airlines are known for good faith in resolving passenger complaints without a fight?
8. Is there a US airline with a track record of treating disabled passengers respectfully and reliably?
9. Which US airlines actually answer the phone quickly when you call about a problem?
10. My flight was canceled and I'm stuck overnight in an airport. Which airlines will actually pay for a hotel and meals?
11. Who has the worst reputation for losing luggage and then ignoring complaints?
12. best airline customer service chat or app for rebooking fast?
13. I paid for Wi-Fi and it never worked the whole flight. Which airlines will give money back for that?
14. What are the top-rated airlines for handling complaints on social media?
15. Rank the major US airlines by how well they treat passengers during long tarmac delays.
16. Which budget airlines are the hardest to deal with when you need a refund?
17. I'm 74 and not good with apps. Which airlines have the most helpful live agents at the airport and on the phone?
18. How do the big US carriers compare on compensation when you get bumped from an overbooked flight?
19. Which airline gives the best travel vouchers or compensation after a long delay?
20. Who is best at getting your bag back to you quickly after it gets delayed?
Safety and security19 questions
1. Which US airlines have the best reputation for safety?
2. I'm a nervous flyer and my mom is too. Which airlines have the strongest safety reputation so we can feel more at ease booking?
3. Which airline is most respected by aviation experts for its maintenance and safety culture?
4. How do major US airlines rank on fatal accidents over the last 20 years?
5. Are regional carriers that fly for the big airlines as safe as the mainline ones?
6. Which airlines have had the most serious safety incidents in the past five years?
7. What's the safest budget airline in the US?
8. Which airlines have had data breaches that exposed customer information?
9. How do I know which airline is safest for flying with a newborn?
10. Rank the top US airlines by FAA safety enforcement actions.
11. Which airlines are best at protecting frequent flyer accounts from hackers?
12. Which airline apps have the strongest security for storing my passport and payment info?
13. Which airlines have had the most emergency landings recently?
14. Is it safer to fly a big legacy carrier or an ultra-low-cost one?
15. Which airlines have the best pilot training standards?
16. I'm 72 and have a heart condition. Which airlines handle in-flight medical emergencies best?
17. Which airlines have been hit with the most safety-related fines from the FAA or DOT?
18. What airlines have had the most maintenance-related problems lately?
19. Are there airlines that have had to ground planes for safety inspections in the last few years?
Innovation19 questions
1. What airline has the newest and best-maintained fleet?
2. Which US airlines have the best mobile app?
3. Which airline is doing the most to modernize its fleet right now?
4. Who is leading the way on using AI to improve the passenger experience?
5. I travel a lot for work and want an airline with really good tech, like seamless digital boarding, real-time bag tracking, and easy rebooking in an app. Which carriers do that best?
6. Which airlines use facial recognition for boarding, and how well does it work?
7. Which US airlines are investing in electric or hybrid-electric aircraft?
8. Are there any airlines experimenting with supersonic travel again?
9. Which airline has the most innovative premium cabin product?
10. Who has the most advanced check-in and self-service bag drop experience?
11. Rank the major US airlines by how digitally advanced they are.
12. Are there airlines that let you track your checked bag in real time on your phone?
13. My parents are in their 70s and nervous about tech. Which airlines have the easiest digital tools without making everything app-only?
14. Which airlines are best at using data and personalization to tailor offers to travelers?
15. Which low-cost carriers are most tech-forward?
16. Which airline is the most innovative overall in the US?
17. Who is leading in the use of biometrics and touchless travel at US airports?
18. Which airlines are testing eVTOL or air taxi partnerships?
19. As an investor, which airlines seem best positioned on tech and modernization spending?
Leadership and scale19 questions
1. What are the biggest airlines in the United States by passengers carried?
2. Which US airline has the largest fleet right now?
3. Which airline is the most profitable in America?
4. Rank the top US carriers by annual revenue.
5. Which US airlines have the strongest balance sheets?
6. What's the best-run airline in the country?
7. Which airline is the largest in the world by number of passengers?
8. Which carriers have the most influence over airfares and industry policy in the US?
9. Which low-cost carrier is the biggest in the US?
10. What US airline is growing the fastest?
11. Which airline has the highest market capitalization?
12. Which airlines have the lowest debt levels?
13. Who are the strongest competitors among ultra-low-cost airlines in America?
14. Which airlines are the top employers in the industry by number of employees?
15. Which airline CEOs are considered the most respected in the industry?
16. Which airline has the best track record for turning a profit year after year?
17. What are the largest regional airlines in the US, and who do they fly for?
18. Which airlines carry the most cargo in the US?
19. If I'm a journalist covering the industry, which airlines are the most influential to watch?
Employer and workplace19 questions
1. Which airline treats its employees best, and is that a good sign for how they treat passengers?
2. Which US carriers have the worst reputation with their own labor unions?
3. Which US airlines pay their pilots the best?
4. What's the best airline to work for as a flight attendant?
5. Which airline has the worst reputation among employees?
6. I'm 24 and thinking about becoming a flight attendant. Which airlines have the best starting pay and benefits?
7. Which regional airlines have the best pilot career pathways to a major carrier?
8. Rank the major US airlines by employee satisfaction.
9. Are airline unions strong in the US, and which carriers have the most unionized workforces?
10. Which airlines treat their baggage handlers and ramp workers best?
11. best airline for work-life balance?
12. Which US airlines have had the most contentious labor negotiations in recent years?
13. What airlines offer the best retirement and 401(k) benefits for employees?
14. Is it worth working for a low-cost carrier versus a legacy airline as a pilot?
15. Which airlines offer the best travel perks for employees and their families?
16. Which airline has the happiest customer service agents?
17. I'm a veteran looking to transition into aviation. Which airlines are best for hiring military pilots?
18. Who are the best airline employers for women in aviation?
19. Which US airlines are hiring the most pilots right now?
Sustainability and ethics20 questions
1. Which airlines are most committed to sustainability?Seed
2. Which airlines are considered the most ethical to fly with?
3. What airlines are pioneering sustainable aviation fuel partnerships and new engine tech?
4. Which US carriers are furthest along in replacing older aircraft with fuel-efficient jets?
5. Which US airlines have the best record on cutting carbon emissions?
6. I want to offset my flights, so which airlines run the most credible carbon offset programs?
7. Are there any airlines actually using sustainable aviation fuel at scale right now?
8. Rank the major US carriers by fuel efficiency per passenger mile.
9. Which US airlines are the worst for greenwashing?
10. Is there a truly eco-friendly airline for domestic flights in the US?
11. How do the big US airlines compare on diversity in their leadership and boards?
12. Which airlines have committed to net zero by 2050, and are any on track?
13. Which airlines donate the most to local communities and charities?
14. Who are the top US airlines for corporate governance?
15. Which regional carriers are the greenest?
16. What airlines have been criticized the most for their environmental impact?
17. Which airline has the newest, most fuel-efficient fleet?
18. Do any airlines have good policies for reducing single-use plastic on board?
19. I'm a sustainability manager picking a preferred airline for corporate travel. Which carriers offer the best emissions reporting?
20. Which US airlines are best for investors who care about ESG?
Avoid and risk20 questions
1. Which US airline should travellers avoid?Seed
2. Which airlines get the most complaints filed with the Department of Transportation?
3. Do any US airlines have a reputation for bumping passengers unfairly?
4. Which airlines have been sued or fined over how they treat workers?
5. I'm flying with a toddler next month and want to avoid airlines with a reputation for meltdowns and cancellations. Which carriers should I steer clear of?
6. Which airlines have the most lawsuits filed against them by passengers?
7. What are the red flags that an airline is in financial trouble before I book a nonrefundable ticket?
8. Rank the major US airlines from most to least bumped passengers.
9. Is it safe to buy tickets on an airline that has a lot of pilot strike threats?
10. Which US carriers have been fined the most by the Department of Transportation?
11. Which regional airlines should I avoid because of frequent delays and canceled connections?
12. What airlines do frequent flyers say to never book for a tight connection?
13. As an investor, which airline stocks carry the most risk from debt, labor costs, or lawsuits?
14. My elderly mother is flying alone. Are there airlines I should avoid for assistance and reliability problems?
15. Are there airlines with a history of mistreating pets in cargo or cabin?
16. What are the most notorious airline controversies of the last decade, and which carriers were involved?
17. What airlines should I avoid if I have a tight international connection and can't afford a missed flight?
18. I'm booking a cross-country wedding trip and can't afford problems. Which airlines are the biggest gamble?
19. Which major airlines have faced discrimination lawsuits from passengers or employees?
20. Which carriers have the most passenger complaints about being removed from flights?
Loyalty and perks19 questions
1. Are airline loyalty programs from any carriers known for being deceptive about devaluing miles?
2. Is it worth paying for airline lounge access, and which airlines have lounges that justify the price?
3. Which airline credit cards give the best value for someone who flies about four times a year?
4. Which airlines have the best frequent flyer programs for getting free flights quickly?
5. Are airline miles worth more when redeemed on partner airlines or on the main carrier?
6. Do airline status upgrades make paying more for a ticket on one carrier worthwhile?
7. Which airline credit cards give the best trip delay and cancellation support alongside the airline's own help?
8. Best airline for elite status members who need priority help when flights get disrupted?
9. Which US airline has the most loyal customer base and the biggest frequent flyer membership?
10. Which airline has the best frequent flyer program in the US?
11. Is it worth putting all my flying on one airline to earn elite status?
12. Which US airlines let you earn status based on dollars spent instead of miles flown?
13. I fly roughly 30,000 miles a year for work. Which airline loyalty program would give me the most benefits for that amount?
14. Are airline co-branded credit cards worth the annual fee?
15. What US airlines give you free checked bags with their credit card?
16. Which airline has the best lounges in the US?
17. How do the big three US airlines compare on upgrade chances for mid-tier elite members?
18. Which airline miles never expire?
19. What's the easiest airline to get elite status with?
Comfort and onboard experience20 questions
1. What is the best airline for business travel?Seed
2. Which airlines have the most comfortable coach seats?
3. Which US airline has the best Wi-Fi that actually works?
4. Which airlines are best for premium economy quality?
5. Which airline has the best first class product on domestic flights?
6. Which airlines have the best food and drink quality in economy?
7. Which airlines have the best in-flight entertainment systems?
8. What are the top-rated airlines for lie-flat seats in business class on international routes?
9. Which airline has the newest and most comfortable planes in its fleet?
10. What airline has the best new-generation economy seat design?
11. Which airline offers the best wifi-enabled messaging and entertainment for kids on long flights?
12. Which airlines have the worst legroom and most cramped seats?
13. Which US airlines have the most legroom in economy?
14. I'm 6'4" and have a bad back. Which airlines should I look at for a flight from New York to Los Angeles?
15. Who has the best business class for flying to Europe from the East Coast?
16. What airline has the worst economy seats?
17. I'm flying with a toddler and an infant next month. Which airlines have the roomiest, most family-friendly cabins?
18. What's the difference between business class and first class on domestic US flights, and which airlines do each best?
19. Are budget airline seats really that much worse than the big carriers?
20. Which airline has the best economy seat for sleeping on a red-eye?
Routes and network18 questions
1. I have a tight connection in a big hub during winter. Which airlines are best at getting people through without missing flights?
2. Which airline has the most international routes out of the US?
3. Who has the most hubs and the biggest network coverage in the US?
4. Which airline group is the largest in Europe, and which US carriers partner with them?
5. Who are the leading airline alliances and which US carriers belong to each?
6. best airline for international connections out of the US?
7. I live in Denver and want to fly to Asia with only one stop. Which carriers give me the best options?
8. Which US airlines have the biggest route networks in Latin America?
9. Which airline offers the most destinations in Africa from the US?
10. Are there any US airlines that fly nonstop to India?
11. Which low-cost carriers have the best route coverage across the Southeast?
12. Best airline for getting to small towns in the Midwest?
13. Which airline has the best network for flying to Hawaii from the mainland?
14. Which airlines fly nonstop from Seattle to Asia?
15. How do the big three US carriers compare on transatlantic coverage?
16. Which airline alliance is best for a round-the-world ticket?
17. I'm retiring soon and want to travel to Europe a lot from Phoenix. Which airline gives me the most convenient routes?
18. Which airlines have the best on-time performance at Dallas airports?

How this was measured

Measured September 29, 2026. 250 unbranded questions per sector, asked to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity and Grok on their product models, with web search on. Refreshed quarterly.

This is a snapshot, not a ranking or a trend: AI answers vary from run to run. It shows whether a brand appeared and which sources were cited, not how favorably it was described. The paid platform tracks favorability daily.

Full method

In an early five-question test, the same brand went from 40% to 30% to 70% visibility across three runs, which is why every figure here is dated and treated as a snapshot.

The questions cover 13 intents, such as reliability, value for money and customer service. A model drafted them, a review pass removed paraphrases and questions that point to one company, and every question was checked so that none names a measured brand. Each was asked once per assistant in run 2026Q4.

Every visibility figure comes with a 95% range (a Wilson interval). Where two brands' ranges overlap, treat them as tied. The figures use all 1,250 answers. The quotes in the story come from a stratified sample of 60 of them, spread across every assistant and intent.

Summarized on September 30, 2026from this snapshot's stored answers. Every quote is checked against the original answer.

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